Hi Darden,

After reading that you had purchased a Sea Dog ladder I looked it up on the West website. There were several comments pointing out the difficulty of climbing when the ladder swings under the hull, but one interesting comment suggests you climb the ladder sideways. I've never heard of this before, but it might be worth giving it a try, at least until you get partway up the ladder to where it is supported by the hull and then start climbing normally (facing the hull)

Max

"From the various comments it appears most people do not know how to use a rope ladder or monkey ladder which is the name used by proffessional mariners. Climbing is always from the side if the ladder is free hanging. Only if against a wall or ships hull that will prevent swinging underneath the platform that the ladder is hanging from, you climb facing the hull or wall. When not agains a wall or hull, you climb sideways, putting your heels on the steps, left and right foot from opposite directions.left hand holding on to one vertical rope and the right hand the other vertical rope. To reduce sideways swinging, your hands should hold on as high as possible, while most bodyweight is directed to your arms. And less than full bodyweight to your feet, otherwise you will be almost horizontal with your back facing the water. This product needs a users instruction."