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About the
Top Step: You can determine
what height you need by measuring the water
depth near where you want to locate the
steps, near your dock or seawall. Some
people like to have the top step at the
level of the dock, others will have the top
step approximately 8” to 10” beneath the
water. When installed this way, the last
step is out of the water onto the dock.
Handrails can be installed (on both types)
either on the right or left sides. If
installing in a boat slip the depth might be
a factor and could interfere with your boat.
Although most boats don’t draw more than a
couple feet of the water, hitting the bottom
steps shouldn’t be a problem.
Measure
to be sure.
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Sea Wall Aluminum
Free Standing
3 Step - 38 lbs.
4 Step - 50 lbs.
5 Step - 64 lbs.
6 Step - N/A |
Plastic Tread &
Aluminum Frame
3 Step -
66 lbs.
4 Step -
71 lbs.
5 Step -
76 lbs.
6 Step -
81 lbs. |
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In quiet water there is generally no problem
Sea Wall, all-aluminum or plastic steps will
sit on the bottom or against the dock. But
with modern ski boats throwing 3’ wakes, or
in rough water, care should be taken to
insure your steps don’t wash away. An
inexpensive 35 lb. cinder block placed as
shown should keep your steps in place. Some
customers use common hardware store items
like pipe hanger to secure steps. |
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The all aluminum (Sea Wall steps) have a
frame that rests on the lake bottom. A
couple concrete blocks on the bottom frame
is often enough to secure them. |
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Concrete blocks between the legs and the
foot can help secure the plastic tread
steps. These steps are heavier and a couple
concrete blocks should hold them in place. |
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In areas with a soft or mucky bottom the
legs or frame might sink into the bottom.
For these installations it’s a good ideal to
support the frame or legs with a flat
surface. A piece of plywood cut just larger
than the frame and bolted to the bottom of
the frame or legs will prevent steps from
sinking into the bottom. |
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Plastic tread steps come with a bracket for
attaching them to a dock or sea wall.
Brackets are 37 1/2" center to center. Even
if you have a free standing unit, with back
legs. It’s not a bad idea to use the
hardware. This bracket will secure your
steps to the dock. |
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Common hardware store plumbing items like
pipe hanger or straps can also be used. |
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