Boat Ladders

Mount first, step count second

Mount type comes first. Transom ladders (Garelick telescoping 3 and 4 step, JIF compact) bolt on and fold up clear of the water. Under deck pontoon ladders (JIF round front and flat front, 4 and 5 step) hide in the deck. Under platform ladders slide out beneath a swim platform, and gunwale hook ladders clamp on, no drilling.

Step count is submersion depth, not height above water. What matters is that at least two steps sit below the waterline, or a tired swimmer is not getting aboard in a chop, which is why 4 and 5 step versions exist. On a gunwale hook ladder the hook has to clear your gunwale, so measure before choosing 7 inch or 11 inch.