You know the variety that has a slot with a hole in one end? They were mounted for a long gone swimming ladder. A few years ago, heading for the Cape(warm water), I knew we needed a real ladder for 4 of us that love to swim. So I put one together out of 5/4 pine, 1/4" SS wood screw/bolt studs, SS wing nuts, cotton covered dinghy fender along the hull, and finally set 3/8" SS hex head lags in the top of the stringers that happen to fit perfectly through the holes and slots on the old brackets.

It's turned out to be a real ladder that could hold two people, no side to movement, rock solid, a low step right where it should be. I built it as a mock up but like a few things, it looks like it's the finished design as well.

It knocks down into a small package but has spent several seasons since, assemebled and easily stowed in a cockpit locker. If you drop it, it floats. The miracle of wood....