Swimming platform

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   Has anyone had a problem with their swimming ladder. The crews bolting the ladder to the swimming platform have come out. My dealer is very willing to help & has offered assistance in replacing the screws in question. My view is that the design of the ladder (i.e. where the ladder is bolted to the platform) needs to be upgraded as the base is not wide enough. A person's weight, with time will dislodge the ladder.

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ziffa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 03 June 2007 Location: Malta Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote ziffa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 July 2007 at 16:53
	Has anyone had a problem with their swimming ladder. The crews bolting the ladder to the swimming platform have come out. My dealer is very willing to help & has offered assistance in replacing the screws in question. My view is that the design of the ladder (i.e. where the ladder is bolted to the platform) needs to be upgraded as the base is not wide enough. A person's weight, with time will dislodge the ladder.

Brad McMaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 27 September 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brad McMaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 July 2007 at 17:40
	Hi There, Yes i agree that the ladder is not structurally sound as is. Tobo, another owner had problems with the mid pivot point on his new 470 a couple of months back and posted details. I used mine for the first time the other week in the Solent!! (first and last time I'm swimming in the solent!) But i was a little disappointed with the thought going in to the ladder. But on the other had i love the fact that it folds away. Clearly i want everything! I think the solution is reinforce the top connection and then add some wire from the top to the bottom on the ladder, kind of like the way the platform itself is supported. This might reduce the load on the mid joints and importantly stop the ladder from swinging under the platform when you try to climb up it. This is something I'll turn my mind to when i know I'll be in warmer climes. So note for a while yet unfortunately! B
	GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/

ziffa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 03 June 2007 Location: Malta Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote ziffa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 July 2007 at 18:11
	Brad thanks for your comments. My view is that the top connection should not be a simple strip with 3 bolts in it (in a vertical line), but should be in the shape of a rectangular fitting which will make the ladder far more secure & will limit the effect of a person's weight when swinging / climbing up the ladder. ZIFFA

John Allison Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 23 November 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Allison Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 August 2007 at 08:56
	We've not had any issues with the way the ladder is attached to the platform - but have seen the pelican clips (as fitted on the wires holding up the platform) slowly stretch out and deform over 3 years. Guess we've had too many fatties climbing on board! Have replaced them with regular terminal ends and shackles. JOHN PS Have also added a blue webbing tab (our hull is blue) that fits under the ladder when it is dropped. This prevents the blue paintwork from any rubbing PLUS when made the right length, gives us a small tab to pull the platform open with.
	No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had!

leemind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 February 2006 Status: Offline Points: 117	Post Options Post Reply Quote leemind Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 August 2007 at 10:34
	I've only used the swim ladder twice, both in the last couple of weeks. Once to dive under the boat to replace the anode and the last time 2 days ago. 2 comment: 1. The Solent is ~!% freezing - not doing that again, and 2. The ladder is wayyyy to short. It barely goes under the water. I was thinking off adding a webbing loop to make another rung, but given I'm not planning to go in again, that job might have to wait! Oddly enough, re: Johns comment about a a little tab, I have a small webbing tab in the middle of my platform to pull it open - as fitted by the factory.
	Grand Cru Hanse 461#028

John Allison Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 23 November 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Allison Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 August 2007 at 10:59
	Ah hah! See, the factory does listen..........sometimes But is the webbing tab also positioned at the point where the ladder folds over the platform edge? Where it can work to protect twix paintwork and stainless ladder? And re ladder length....our 461 ladder folds down, then has a second fold, so we've two and a bit steps below water level.........no issues even with a fattie like me getting out OK. Maybe its another small (but in this case negative change), that's helped Hanse keep the price down? Edited by John Allison - 30 August 2007 at 00:00
	No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had!

ziffa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 03 June 2007 Location: Malta Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote ziffa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 August 2007 at 13:44
	I totally agree with Leemind's comments. the ladder is far too short and in my opinion it is badly designed as the base (that is screwed on to the platform) is simply not wide enough to counter balance the weight of a person using the ladder. It only has one fold not two. We swim off the boat every weekend, and the ladder has marked the edge of the platform. I have asked my agent to lodge a formal complaint to Hanse because we have tried two attempts to secure the ladder to the platform & each time it comes off. David

leemind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 February 2006 Status: Offline Points: 117	Post Options Post Reply Quote leemind Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 August 2007 at 12:22
	How funny are these things. The webbing strap is very small right in the middle, so nowhere near the ladder. Just helps to pull it out if you are leaning over the back -- I doubt I could reach it if I were in the water and the platform was up though (thinking back to that allegedly dreadful film 'Adrift' where those people jumped in the water from a yacht and couldn't get back on board) 2 folds!!!! What is going on... Ziffa & I have been short (literally) changed! Just one fold for us
	Grand Cru Hanse 461#028

Brad McMaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 27 September 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 383	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brad McMaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 August 2007 at 23:26
	arrhh the webbing strapQ i think that is a hamble addition. Thanks Peter & Co as i don;t believe that is the factory's doing!! I'm curious, have others suffered as tobo has with the welding pulling apart. I haven't yet but on the two (cold) occasions i have i have looked at these joints and wondered how long they last? B
	GHOST - Hanse 470e - 058 http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ghost/

John Allison Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 23 November 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote John Allison Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 September 2007 at 17:42
	A weld is a weld and only as good as the guy handling the welding kit. Our ladder shows no signs of coming apart and its possibly been used more than most others over three years - but I'd quite agree it is stupid and wrong that new owners have to worry about such quality / safety issues. JOHN
	No longer a Hanse owner - but loved the one we had!



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