I have a 14ft aluminum mirrocraft with a 20hp I use for fishing - works great. Am thinking of putting a small ladder on the transom (1 or 2 step) if I ever want to take it out just to enjoy the water. I have an anchor in the back of the boat and an anchor on the front attached to a manual crank.
Does anyone see any issues with getting in/out of a small boat using a ladder on the back? I don’t really NEED to do this, but just thought it’d be fun addition.
IF you decide it will work on your boat, be sure to get a model with stand-offs. Slamming your toes into the transom when you put your weight into the step is not something you want to do twice.
H&H - that's where taking a canoe safety course would come in handy. To be a Red Cross canoe instructor, I had to learn how to perform a wet-entry into the canoe without capsizing it. Same technique would apply to a 14-ft aluminum boat, and be easier than the canoe.
Had I tried that as a kid with my 14 foot Lund, it would capsize or take on a ton of water.
After re-reading your post, I know that some Mirro Crafts have higher sides, as compared to my old Lund.
If it were me, I wouldn't do it period. But if you really want to try it out, as suggested, get in some shallow water and try to get into your boat without a ladder and see how the boat reacts. Do it on a really nice, sunny, flat water kind of day.
A 14’ boat may not have enough flotation to support the weight of a person on the transom especially if it will be to one side only. As a test park the boat in 3-4’ of water and then try to sit on the transom and see how close the waterline gets to coming over the transom. Other factors to consider are the location of your fuel tank, guessing with a 14’ boat and 20hp motor it is a 3-5 gallon portable tank. Is there a battery in the boat and where is that located. Weight distribution may help if you are close to taking water over the transom when putting your weight on the transom. Wave action will also magnify how deep the transom will sink when putting weight on it.
