Reproduced by kind permission of Sailing Today Magazine

All text and photographs: Philip Dunn, Sailing Today Magazine

www.sailingtoday.co.uk

Sailing Today, December 2003

My wife has short legs and my boat has high topsides - that's not a combination designed to make coming alongside a low pontoon very easy. Last year Norene twisted her knee badly when stepping onto the new pontoon at Annalong in Northern Ireland. Something had to be done. Despite all my encouragement, she flatly refuses to handle the boat so that I can do the climbing ashore with a line and, although she is adept at dropping a midship line over a pontoon cleat and making fast, that is not always feasible. I was even considering having a folding step bolted to either side of the hull to save her having to  jump; oh yes, things were that serious. Then along came the FenderStep.

I was deeply suspicious of this odd-looking hybrid. Was it to be trusted? Would it capsize and have my sole crew member in the water? Initially, my distrust led me to tie each of FenderStep's securing eyes to separate points some distance apart. This, I reasoned, would prevent it tipping over when weight was applied. I needn't have worried, because as soon as someone stands on the FenderStep it squashes slightly and presses itself against the side of the hull, creating a really comfortable and unmoving step.

It has taken a great deal of worry out of coming alongside and Norene has gained considerable confidence now that she has less distance to step down onto the pontoon. We now use just one short, strong line tied with a bowline through each of FenderStep's eyes. This line is passed through the loop at the base of the stanchion within reach of the shrouds. All this is done as part of the routine before coming alongside, Norene can now step outside the rail onto the FenderStep while holding a line in one hand and holding onto the shroud with the other hand.

Of course despite its udder-like shape, the FenderStep is still a fender and can be used as one when needed and, unlike solid steps, it cannot damage the topsides.

The FenderStep weighs 2kg, measures 400 x 400 x 250 mm and is available in white, blue or black.
Philip Dunn

Sailing Today Verdict
We have used FenderStep for one very busy season and it has proved a real boon. The eyes are solid injection-moulded  PVC and time will tell if they stand-up to the stress and weight of use.