T&T: Boarding ramp

[bob Austin]

The nautical term for a "boarding ramp" or gang plank on a yacht is a
"passerelle"  A google search on this term will bring up many examples.  Do
you want a stern or side passerelle?

The pet step is only good for short distances--and we use one on our small
trailerable boats.  On our larger boats we made an eight foot long "ultra
light" Passerelle.  We used two layers of high quality 3 MM plywood laminated
(this comes to about 1/4"--and only about 15" wide--there were cleats about
every 10" (helps for the dogs) and some lightweight ozite carpet glued between
the cleats.  The sides of the passerelle were also made of two layers of the 3
mm plywood--the outer layer was 4" top to bottom, and the inner layer was two
pieces about 1 7/8" wide--so that it made a very solid "I" beam.  This was
epoxy saturated, and lasted us well for over 4 years.  It was used mostly over
the stern, with an attatchment on the stern deck--and two lines to the mizzen
mast (could be a cabin top on a power vessel)--and a spreader bar to keep
these lines about 24" apart, so one could walk easly down the gangway.  There
were two 360 degree rotating (horizontal axis) wheels, so the the gangway
could easily sit on a pier or dock.  The entire weight was about 20 lbs, and
it stowed against the life lines, lashed in place--it could have been in the
RIB or other places just as easily.

Another concept is an aluminum "painter's plank" at Lowes or Home depot--8
feet long, about 12" wide and usuall in the mid 20 lb weight--dog traction and
human traction could be increased by using non skid tape or carpet glued on
the top.

You can also pick up used passerelles at many consignment shops.

Bob Austin