When it comes to recreational boating, ladders play an important role in the boarding of your passengers after they have already jumped into the water. For some, getting back on the boat can be a stressful task, but for others it's only an afterthought. There are many different types of boat ladders available on the market, and it's important to make sure the ladder you have suits your specific needs.

There are different sized boat ladders, different mounting positions or placements, and even different materials that are used to build them. In this article, we are going to cover the many different types of boat ladders, what they are used for, where and how they are mounted, and more.

Let's begin by discussing all of the possible boat ladder placements that are on a boat. Ladders can be properly mounted above or below the swim platform, on the gunwale, bow, deck, or directly on the transom. Generally, the type of boat and available room for placement will determine where your boat ladder will be placed.

The swim platform is found at the stern (or rear end) of most boats and is the most common location for boat ladders. The gunwale is the upper edge of the side of the boat. The bow, is the most forward part of the hull. The deck is what is referred to as the main flooring section of a boat. And the transom is the vertical section at the rear of a boat.

Next, we can cover some of the common materials that are used for building boat ladders. Typically, boat ladders are built with marine-grade or rust resistant materials to maintain quality and extend their life span. Some of these materials include Aluminum, Stainless Steel, PVC Plastic and Rope. Some boat ladders are equipped with non-slip rubber step covers as well.

Material is important when choosing a boat ladder because some materials will negatively react with one another. An example of this is Aluminum and Stainless Steel. When in contact with one another, electrolysis occurs, and causes corrosion (gradual weakening of the metal). Side note: rust is a type of corrosion.

It's also important to understand that some materials used for boat ladders have stronger corrosion resistance than others. An example of this is 304 stainless steel vs 316 stainless steel. In layman's terms, the molecular makeup of 316 stainless steel makes it more resistant to rust or corrosion than 304 stainless steel when exposed to freshwater or saltwater continuously over a long period of time.

When considering boat ladder materials, some companies will go as far as having their products professionally tested for marine use. This warrants continuous saltwater spray tests over an extended period of time. These tests are a great way to prove how their boat ladders perform in marine-related conditions, and provide transparency and trust in the product's materials.

Now, we can review the many different types of boat ladders, what types of boats you can find them on, and common places they are installed or mounted.

This is the most common type of boat ladder on the market. Over platform boat ladders are trusted by many boat brands as the essential piece of equipment for passengers to use for getting in and out of the boat from the water. Over platform ladders are usually installed on top of the back swim step of a boat and can sometimes be accompanied with a nearby grab handle or easier boarding. To deploy an over platform ladder, you just flip it over and the steps will telescope out into the water. When not in use, the steps can be condensed and the ladder flipped back over and secured with a bungee cord on top of the swim step.

The skills necessary to repair boat hardware are not difficult to learn. When replacing or installing boat hardware, you'll need to be able to remove any existing rust or corrosion from the area where you will be working. Other basic boat cleaning may be necessary as well. The skills necessary to replace boat hardware include the ability to use a variety of tools, including power tools, hammers, and screwdrivers, as well as understanding how to apply and/or remove glues and epoxies.

Some boat hardware installations can be simple while others can be quite complex. You can find installation resources on the Marine Depot Direct YouTube Channel as we continue to add more and more resources to help boaters like you better understand how to install marine hardware and accessories on your boat. For direct assistance, you can reach out to our customer support team or a marine industry professional in your area.

These ladders are slightly different and not as common as over or under platform ladders. Transom ladders are installed on the back transom of the boat at a vertical or angled orientation, depending on the boat. They are usually equipped with standoffs which help stabilize the passenger when using the ladder to get on or off the boat. To deploy a transom ladder, you simply pop it out of the clip brackets and fold it down and into the water against the transom of the boat. When not in use, the ladder can be folded back up and clipped into the brackets for a secure hold.

These ladders are slightly different and not as common as over or under platform ladders. Transom ladders are installed on the back transom of the boat at a vertical or angled orientation, depending on the boat. They are usually equipped with standoffs which help stabilize the passenger when using the ladder to get on or off the boat. To deploy a transom ladder, you simply pop it out of the clip brackets and fold it down and into the water against the transom of the boat. When not in use, the ladder can be folded back up and clipped into the brackets for a secure hold.

Specific to pontoon style boats, these ladders are heavy duty and built to last. Pontoon ladders are commonly installed on the back of a boat and are noticeably more sturdy than most other ladders. The base of a pontoon ladder is made up of one large bracket and two handrail ends that are secured the the deck of the boat. One of the handrails possesses a plastic bracket for securing the fold out ladder to the body. To deploy a pontoon ladder, you pop out the ladder and fold it out, allowing the steps to telescope into the water. These ladders may take up a significant amount of space when not in use, but this isn't usually an issue since pontoons are one of the most spacious types of boats you can own. 

These ladders are built for divers by design. The steps are open on the sides and allow for easy boarding and embarking while wearing fins. This is especially helpful when diving in the ocean. Dive ladders come in many different styles and can be installed or deployed in a few different ways. They are usually installed at the entrance of a dive door, which can be found on the side of a boat. Not all boats have these. They can be fixed, folding, or telescoping depending on the brand you go with. Dive doors can can be permanently mounted or secured into a bracket and removable. Dive door brackets can be located on top of the deck near the dive door, on top of or under the back swim step, etc. 

Most commonly used for inflatable boats, rope ladders can also be kept on board as an emergency precaution. For inflatable boats, rope ladders are the most convenient option due to the lack of space for storing a more durable and solid ladder. Rope ladders pack down to a small size and are easy to clip in when needed. For larger boats, rope ladders are often kept in case a person falls overboard and are unable to make it to any other ladders on the boat. Sometimes the weather can cause choppy, rough waters which makes it tough to navigate when swimming. Rope ladders are the most affordable option for boaters and come in many different sizes, colors, and materials.