Updated October 18, 2022
When you leave the sanctuary of your boat voluntarily for diving or a watersport of some sort, you need a plan for getting get back on the boat again. If you find yourself in the water accidentally, you even more so want to know there is a way back to safety on board. Having a good ladder appropriate for your vessel is the solution.
Below a number of ladders designed for a variety of boat styles have been selected as an introduction to help in your selection process. There is a comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, and a basic buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of boats, kayaks, canoes, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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Best Boat Ladder Review
- Amarine Made 3 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Boat Ladder
- MarineMFRS Folding Boat Ladder
- Pactrade Marine Boat Dive Ladder
- Amarine Made 4 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Under Platform Boat Ladder
- RecPro Marine Pontoon Boat 4 Step Folding Boat Ladder
- Garelick/Eez-In Inflatable Boat Ladder
- Hoffen 3 Step Telescopic Marine Drop Boat Ladder
- JIF Marine EQB4 Over Platform Telescoping Boat Ladder
- MarineMFRS Teak Platform Swim Platform Boat Ladder
- SeaSense Rope Ladder
Best Boat Ladder Comparison Table
| Picture | Boat Ladder | Style | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Amarine Made 3 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Boat Ladder | Telescoping | $ |
  | MarineMFRS Folding Boat Ladder | Folding | $ |
  | Pactrade Marine Boat Dive Ladder | Center Bar | $ |
  | Amarine Made 4 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Under Platform Boat Ladder | Telescoping | $ |
 | RecPro Marine Pontoon Boat 4 Step Folding Boat Ladder | Folding Pontoon Boat | $ |
  | Garelick/Eez-In Inflatable Boat Ladder | Inflatable Boat | $ |
  | Hoffen 3 Step Telescopic Marine Drop Boat Ladder | Telescoping | $ |
  | JIF Marine EQB4 Over Platform Telescoping Boat Ladder | Telescoping | $$ |
  | MarineMFRS Teak Platform Swim Platform Boat Ladder | Telescoping | $$ |
  | SeaSense Rope Ladder | Rope Ladder | $ |
| Picture | Boat Ladder | Style | Price |
Amarine Made 3 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Boat Ladder
The molded vinyl tread provides a firm grip as you climb back onboard and a hinged bracket used for mounting allows it to fold away when not in use.
- Constructed from durable marine-grade 304 stainless steel
- Telescopic design
- Molded black vinyl no-slip tread on steps
- A hinged bracket enables the ladder to fold over the platform when not deployed
MarineMFRS Folding Boat Ladder
Easily mounted to the deck, it folds out smoothly with adjustable standoffs and cushioned tips for a firm non-scuff grip on your hull.
For stowing, it folds back into a compact space and has a non-slip flat plastic tread for safe footing.
- Constructed from durable marine-grade 304 stainless steel
- Folds into a compact 12.6 inches for stowing when not in use
- Adjustable standoffs with cushioned tips
- Easy mounting to the deck with quick-release mounting brackets
- Flat non-slip plastic flat tread cover on the steps
- Nylon bushings between sections to protect from friction
Pactrade Marine Boat Dive Ladder
It has a non-slip PVC tread for traction and a 400-pound capacity that can handle a big diver with a load of equipment.
- Center bar design
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Black PVC non-slip tread on steps
- Stainless steel transom mount bracket
- 400-pound load capacity
Amarine Made 4 Step Stainless Steel Telescoping Under Platform Boat Ladder
This one has 4 rather than 3 steps and is mountable under your swim platform or other mounting areas.
It has the same durable stainless steel construction that folds up out of the way when not deployed, and non-slip vinyl steps for secure footing.
- Constructed from durable marine-grade 304 stainless steel
- Telescopic design
- Molded black vinyl no-slip tread on steps
- Easily mounts under any platform or mounting area and folds away when not deployed
RecPro Marine Pontoon Boat 4 Step Folding Boat Ladder
Mounted against a pontoon tube for support, it has a 300-pound capacity.
- 4-step folding design
- Lightweight anodized aluminum with plastic steps
- Flush mount design with LHW-B mounting hardware included
- Mounts against a pontoon tube for support
- Space-saving design for easy storing on the included rail mounting clips or elsewhere as you please
- 300-pound capacity
Garelick/Eez-In Inflatable Boat Ladder
Fabricated with lightweight durable aluminum it has vinyl sleeves to keep from marring your hull fabric.
When not in use it folds in half for easy storage.
- Universal fit for your inflatable
- Anodized 1-inch aluminum tube construction
- 3 comfortable molded white poly steps
- Vinyl sleeves protect the hull material
- 3/8-inch line and swivel snap attach to the floorboards of your inflatable
View More From Garelick/Eez-In
Hoffen 3 Step Telescopic Marine Drop Boat Ladder
It folds back over the hinge onto the platform to occupy only a small space in storage.
- Telescopic 3-step design
- Length from 14.48” minimum to 34.5” maximum
- Durable stainless steel construction (mounting screws included)
- Folds back over the hinge for compact storage over the platform
- Flat tread non-slip plastic covers on steps
JIF Marine EQB4 Over Platform Telescoping Boat Ladder
It has a high 400-pound capacity and folds back over the platform to economize space for storage.
This is a 4-step model with flat poly treads on the steps with handgrips for slip avoidance.
- Constructed from durable electropolished 316 stainless steel
- 4 stainless steel steps with flat poly treads and handgrips
- 400-pound capacity
- Telescopic design that folds flat over the platform for compact storage
- Length from 18” minimum to 44” maximum
MarineMFRS Teak Platform Swim Platform Boat Ladder
The construction features marine-grade stainless steel and black step treads for a non-slip grip.
Easy to install and use, it contracts in size and flips back over the top for compact storage on the platform.
- Durable marine-grade 304 stainless steel construction
- Marine-grade teak platform with an unpolished natural finish
- A transom height of 13.5” required
- 3-step telescoping design
- Folding for easy storage
- Black step treads for traction
For any boat without a permanent ladder, this is an easy-to-use option.
Securing it over a cleat or rail it extends 5 feet and can hold up to 200 pounds.
- Durable and lightweight UV-resistant PVC rungs and nylon braided rope
- 5 blow-molded steps
- Extends to 5 feet in length
- The top loop secures to a cleat or rail for mounting with a preformed top loop
- 200-pound weight capacity
Boat Ladder Buying Guide
Materials
Your ladder will be out in the elements exposed to sun and water, so suitable materials are essential. Marine-grade stainless steel and heavy-duty aluminum are commonly used. Both are resistant to corrosion and rust, sturdy, and have long service lives. Aluminum is lighter in weight.
For non-metallic parts, most manufacturers choose durable plastics like vinyl and PVC. For rope components, nylon is the material of choice. All are durable and resistant to the elements. Special treatment for UV resistance is a feature to look for.
Mounting to the Boat
Careful selection of a ladder that is suitable for your boat is key. If you have a platform, transom, or a particular place you want to mount it, it must be a ladder of the matching style.
Similarly some ladders are made specifically for certain applications like inflatable or pontoon boats.
How much space is there? Make sure the ladder width will fit the available space.
Number of Steps and Length
The ladder should be long enough to reach the water. Especially for older or less agile users, it would be good to have a ladder that reaches far enough underwater that it isn’t a major athletic feat to get a footing on the bottom rung.
The steps are usually fairly uniform in the distance between them. For the recreational vessels we are preparing to equip in this review, 3-5 steps are pretty standard. If you have a larger boat with a significant distance from the rail to the water, then you will need to consider longer ladders with more steps.
Features to Consider
In addition to the qualities of the basic materials used in boat ladders that make them effective and durable discussed above, there are several other features to look for. Is it folding and/or telescoping for more compact storage? Is it lightweight? What sort of non-slip materials are used for tread or handgrips which are important for safety? Are there handrails? Does the package have all the hardware for installation?
Weight Capacity
It probably goes without saying that the ladder needs to be capable of holding your weight. If users are true heavyweights or if you will be loaded with heavy gear as are technical divers, then it is an especially important factor to check out. Of the boat ladders reviewed here, the SeaSense Rope Ladder is at the low end of the scale with a capacity of 200 pounds. All the others will bear substantially more.
Additional Reading
For more reviews of boats, kayaks, canoes, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
Kayak Rod Holders Anchor Ropes Boat Anchors Kayak Storage Racks Kayak Compasses Kayak Anchors Kayak Bilge Pumps Inflatable Canoes Electric Pumps for Inflatables Motorized Kayaks Pedal Kayaks Ocean Fishing Kayaks Fishing Kayak Paddles Waterproof Bags Canoe Paddles Canoes Kayak Shoes Kayak Helmets Kayak Wetsuits Kayak Roof Racks Kayak Carts Kayak Drysuit Review Kayak Paddles Kayak Life Vests Women Kayak Life Vests Marine VHF Radios Small Outboard Motors Kayak Trolling Motors Kayak Fish Finders Marine GPS Marine Binoculars Women’s Kayaks Touring Kayaks Tandem Kayaks Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners Lake Kayaks Ocean Kayaks Fishing Kayaks Beginner Kayaks Recreational Kayaks Inflatable Kayaks Inflatable Boats
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on boat ladders exciting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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Good Wishes From indacocoats
Thanks for your kind comments. It really gives me a boost.
Best regards,
Joe
Great article. Most folks have to learn this the hard way. There are a lot of different boat ladders with many excellent features and finding the best is very difficult. Thanks for writing this article.
Hey Hogward.
Thanks a lot for your kind comments. I appreciate it.
All the best.
Joe
I have an old model pontoon boat, so I thought searching for a suitable swim ladder for a pontoon boat would be difficult. I couldn’t be happier when I found this post. Thanks a lot.
Thank you, Dalton. Your comment makes my day! I’m glad to be of service.
Best regards,
Joe
I think I made the right decision in getting this Extreme Max ladder. There’s more to gain other than its nice appearance, so it’s worth every penny.
I am glad to hear it, Dalton. I hope you get many years of productive use.
Best regards,
Joe