Dock ladder: which swim ladder suits a floating pontoon?

Why does a floating pontoon need its own swim ladder?

A fixed jetty stands on piles, and the water rises and falls along it. A ladder on it sometimes reaches deep into the water and sometimes ends above the surface. A floating pontoon, by contrast, rises and falls with the water. If the ladder hangs from it, it moves too, and the bottom step is always in the same place beneath you.

That is why a ladder for a fixed timber jetty rarely fits: it is usually screwed onto boards, and there are none on a jetty made of floats. A swim ladder for a floating pontoon needs a fixing that suits the system.

How is the dock ladder fixed to a floating pontoon?

Our swim ladder is fixed with two long threaded pins supplied in the set. They engage where the floats are joined to each other along the edge. So you do not need to drill anything or damage a float. The ladder comes off just as quickly when you rebuild the jetty or bring it ashore in autumn.

Where should the swim ladder go on the jetty?

The ladder belongs where the water is deepest, which on a jetty is usually the outer end. We recommend at least 80 cm of water there, preferably more, so nobody touches the bottom when climbing in.

• Not at the berth: Where you moor your boat, the ladder gets in the way when coming alongside and can chafe the hull.
• Clear access: If your jetty has a railing, leave a gap of at least one metre at the ladder.
• Visible from the bank: If children swim, the ladder should be visible from the bank.

Does the jetty tip when someone climbs the ladder?

No, as long as the jetty is wide enough. Each float carries around 87 kg, and because all floats are connected, the weight spreads across the whole surface. The edge at the ladder dips a few centimetres as someone climbs out and comes straight back up.

Width is what counts: from three floats, i.e. 1.5 m, a jetty stays steady even with someone on the ladder. A narrower jetty becomes noticeably wobbly at that point. How to plan the width is explained in our guide Building a floating pontoon.

What should you look for when buying a dock ladder?

Four points decide whether a swim ladder will serve you well for years:

• Material: Stainless steel does not rust, needs no paint and withstands sun, frost and water for years.
• Fixing: It has to suit your jetty. On floats that means at the connection points, not screwed into timber.
• Handrails: The stiles should rise well above the jetty surface. On our ladder they are shaped as an arch, so you have something to hold on to right up to the last step.
• Steps: Wide, flat treads are kinder to bare feet than round rungs.

Can the swim ladder stay on the jetty over winter?

Yes. Stainless steel does not rust, needs no paint and copes with frost without any trouble. Our own stainless steel swim ladder has been hanging in the water on our pontoon all year round for four years, without any problems. Only when there is heavy moving ice is it best to bring the whole jetty ashore, because of the load on the anchoring and the coupling pins.

What does a swim ladder for a floating pontoon cost?

Our stainless steel swim ladder costs €575 net, including the two threaded pins for fixing. Together with a short 1.5 × 4 m bathing jetty (€1,491.50) and the tools (€53.25), you come to €2,119.75 net for a complete bathing jetty with ladder. We calculate freight individually for your location and include it in your quote.

You will find the ladder in our Accessories, and the floats for the jetty under Floats.

Prices as per our price list of 01/10/2026. Prices may change. Before you buy, get a current, binding quote via the configurator or an enquiry.