Boat step location

[Juniver]

My wife gave the ok on boat steps but have a $ limit.So on my Skeeter trailer where do you guys suggest the best mounting location ? Thank you for the input.

[jjue1979]

Which set of steps are you looking at? Winch stand and square tubing for tongue will likely be the strongest, although the c-channel will probably be fine as long as you aren't too big. I personally have a set the I bought on eBay mounted to the C-channel because the trailer for '85 Skeeter wasn't exactly built for certain install methods, and I'm not a big person. Regardless, I still had to do some custom work to get mine installed.

[Highcentered]

They steps you want will mount to the winch post.

[Juniver]

Which set of steps are you looking at? Winch stand and square tubing for tongue will likely be the strongest, although the c-channel will probably be fine as long as you aren't too big. I personally have a set the I bought on eBay mounted to the C-channel because the trailer for '85 Skeeter wasn't exactly built for certain install methods, and I'm not a big person. Regardless, I still had to do some custom work to get mine installed.

Looking at the Aupar brand on Amazon but not really finding anything.

[Highcentered]

Just think about this for a minute. Yes you can get trailer steps for a lot cheaper on Amazon than from Boat EFX or Trick Steps but how important is peace of mind? I trust my Trick Steps to keep me from ending up on the ramp. Some things you can cheap out on and be fine while other things can be a dangerous gamble. Not saying the Amazon steps won't hold up but you have to really decide how much your safety is worth. The ones best suited for a bass boat has a lot riding on the welds connecting the steps to that piece that clamps on the winch post.

[Rangerdeepv]

Trick steps.......a little pricey but the best there is.

[Javelin389]

Those steps actually look half-way decent, except for the review on the pole. I put Trick Steps on my Stratos and immediately wondered why I didn't do it sooner.

[SteezMacQueen]

They steps you want will mount to the winch post.

This.
I have trick steps (on a Ranger, but looks similar) and they are bolted to the winch post. They will spoil you. I used to climb the fenders, then straddle the side of the boat to get in. Now…it’s as simple as climbing a staircase. Walk up and in. Get the one with the grab handle.

a side benefit is fiberglass fenders will last longer and less chance of scratching the side and top cap of the boat.

[jjue1979]

This.
I have trick steps (on a Ranger, but looks similar) and they are bolted to the winch post. They will spoil you. I used to climb the fenders, then straddle the side of the boat to get in. Now…it’s as simple as climbing a staircase. Walk up and in. Get the one with the grab handle.

At home these days, I actually prefer using my bow steps getting in and out rather than stepping onto the fender and climbing in and out from that direction.

[Highcentered]

At home these days, I actually prefer using my bow steps getting in and out rather than stepping onto the fender and climbing in and out from that direction.

Same. So much easier. Climbing in and out of boats without them make me realize how many are missing out whether it be cost, being stubborn, or both.

[BigFishSteve]

I've got a good set from one of the big 2. Love them. They still flex with my fat self. No way I'm stepping on $160 Amazon set. Do it right, or don't do it.

[weiglein4]

What I believe a lot of you guys are missing is the OP's wife is clearly authorizing or denying the project. This was made clear in the original post. Also, dollars was being tightly monitored; which is fine... That being said, the safer steps like Trick Step and Boat EFX are probably out of the question... Unless the OP wants to hear "Didn't I make myself clear when I told you how much I was authorizing you to spend....."

Good luck to you sir

[RNKingCx19]

Buy it for her, her safety . The $ issue will go away. Trick step and be done.

[Zone18]

What I believe a lot of you guys are missing is the OP's wife is clearly authorizing or denying the project. This was made clear in the original post. Also, dollars was being tightly monitored; which is fine... That being said, the safer steps like Trick Step and Boat EFX are probably out of the question... Unless the OP wants to hear "Didn't I make myself clear when I told you how much I was authorizing you to spend....."

Good luck to you sir

This....180.00 is a bit different than 480.00

[jjue1979]

I said it before already--if you get one of the cheap ones, I hope that you are a small, light weight person. I think that welding a couple of reinforcements on the one that I bought from eBay will help support someone in the 200lb range, although I can still bend a step at 165lbs. Even my middle-school son noticed the flimsiness when stepping up and down.

[SteezMacQueen]

Buy it for her, her safety . The $ issue will go away. Trick step and be done.

[fly by night]

I installed a set of EFX steps today and a grab handle on my Triton River boat. As stated, the type that are attached to the winch post. I am very happy with them, sturdy, well made, and great support from the manufacturer. Mine were $481 total shipped to my house/shop. I got a 10% military discount.

[jkk]

Mounted my Omega steps between the hitch and the winch post best thing I’ve added to the boat since owning

[Jbass123]

Trick steps.......a little pricey but the best there is.

Totally agree. I know a guy who cheaped out on trailer steps then slipped off [we’re thinking the step flexed a little when he put weight on it] and hurt himself badly. Now that’s I’ve had Trick Steps for a few years, I’d have paid 2 or 3 times as much for them. It’s also important not to have too great a distance to span from the top step into the boat. At some ramps, it’s necessary to get the boat a foot or two away from the winch stand in order to drive the boat off the trailer. But the farther the steps are from the bow of the boat, the more dangerous it can be when stepping into the boat, especially if there are tall or multiple graphs to step over/around.

[Sylvanboat]

Trick steps.......a little pricey but the best there is.

cant argue with this logic. Good luck.