2009 Challenger 230 ladder

[flamed94xp]

Has anyone installed a 3 or 4 step ladder on their challenger. If so do you have part numbers and pictures.

 

[Joe Starbuck]

I have not. Are you asking about replacing the factory one at the stern?

 

[flamed94xp]

Yes. Would like a longer ladder to make it easier to get in.

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Yes. Would like a longer ladder to make it easier to get in.

I have no experience with this modification, but Garelick should have the ladder you need. I can't prove it but their under platform telescoping unit looks suspiciously like the one on my C 230.
www dot garelick dot com

 

[ski-d00]

Yes, have installed a 3 step to replace the OEM 2 step. Just make sure to get the same type and all the holes will line up and work fine.

 

[quadracer22]

Windline SM-3XO
I looked everywhere for ladder replacement and finally contacted factory. This is part number for the ladder

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Windline SM-3XO
I looked everywhere for ladder replacement and finally contacted factory. This is part number for the ladder

Did you receive the new ladder? I am interested in the same mod.

 

[quadracer22]

Yes

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Yes

So, I assume the bolts line up exactly. I looked at the parts diagram and it is not clear what the 4 bolts screw into. There does not appear to an access to the space behind those bolts under the swim deck. Do they screw into something permanent, and not a nut that cannot be accessed?

 

[quadracer22]

Not sure what you are talking about… old bent ladder and new 3 step

 

[quadracer22]

Maybe you are talking about 4 bolts that screw ladder cradle to boat… they are pre threaded, no nuts. Just bolts

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Maybe you are talking about 4 bolts that screw ladder cradle to boat… they are pre threaded, no nuts. Just bolts

That is what I was taking about, thanks!

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Maybe you are talking about 4 bolts that screw ladder cradle to boat… they are pre threaded, no nuts. Just bolts

Hi, me again. Just curious, did you replace the brackets and the ladder, or just the ladder? My new unit does not fit. Note that it is about 1.5 inches longer in the rear of the assembly (toward the bow). That hits the hull when I line up the mounting holes.

 

[quadracer22]

I just replaced ladder

 

[flamed94xp]

Just installed a 4 step.

 

[quadracer22]

Wow… that’s way too long!!! Hope you store that every single time! I was nervous about 3 steps! And that’s as close to ground as I would want to be

 

[Joe Starbuck]

Just installed a 4 step.

I have so many questions. I just finished my install on a 3 step model on my 2012 Challenger 230 yesterday. It was not smooth. I installed a Windline model, same as Quad Racer did. The new ladder has significantly larger diameter rails than the old. The bracket that comes with the new one fits this larger diameter perfectly, but that bracket will not fit on the boat, using the factory mounting holes. So, I used the old bracket, as Quad Racer did. The larger diameter tubes required me to modify the bracket with a Dremel tool to try and get the angle of the deployed ladder to be reasonable. It is still not 100% where I want it, or how the correct bracket would have it.
I see that the 4 step unit that Flamed installed has large diameter rails also. It also seems to have a different construction of the bracket, using a tubular crowd member at the (boat) rear of the bracket instead of the plate member used by the 2-step and 3-step models.
Flamed, did you use the factory mounting holes on the boat for your new 4-step ladder?
I modified my rubber keeper strap installation with zip ties, but that is the least of my problems.

 

[flamed94xp]

First, I bought a top mount ladder and bracket. Then we had to open up the factory holes on the factory bracket to account for a wider ladder. We then took the new mount and bolted it to the factory mount so the ladder would sit right. I will try and take some better pictures today when we go out.
Basically I now have 2 brackets bolted together to accommodate the new ladder. Yesterday was our first time using it and it works great.

 

[Joe Starbuck]

First, I bought a top mount ladder and bracket. Then we had to open up the factory holes on the factory bracket to account for a wider ladder. We then took the new mount and bolted it to the factory mount so the ladder would sit right. I will try and take some better pictures today when we go out.
Basically I now have 2 brackets bolted together to accommodate the new ladder. Yesterday was our first time using it and it works great.

Please do, I would love to see a solution that might improve my set up.