Things I Did: DIY Passerelle / Gangway

After my gangway got lost, probably during a very heavy storm, I started to look for a new one. During my shopping searches I saw that the least expensive one is around 375€. So I started my own project. Build a gangway, light, strong and cheap!

First I tried to figure out how can I build a construction out of aluminum profiles, fixing them together etc then I figured out someone already did that for me :) also did it much better, cleaner and stronger: LADDER!!!

I choose a ladder which is 200 cm long and 35 cm wide.

Then I went to buy plywood which is resistant to water from a nearby store where they cut it according to your will. Unfortunately I did not have much choice for color and texture so here is what I could find:

18 mm Brown plywood:

I cut the plywood in dimensions of inner walls of ladder. The thickness of the plywood was 18 mm and the distance between steps and sidewall was 15 mm so there was a 3 mm difference in between. You can skip this step but I had time and a wood router.

So I took off 3 mm from the sections that corresponds to steps.

Then used 3 stainless wood screws for each step to mound the ply to the ladder. Of course, I used a master to mark the drilling points. You don't have to but it feels better and much high quality.

After drilling the steps I screwed the screws through, note that I did not drill the wood.

Then I use 50 mm wheels which have 12 mm center hole:

I had spare 12 bolts with fiber nuts but I will use 12 mm rod to prevent the profile from bending sideways. I am not sure if this happens but it will be a better construction for sure. I will do it as soon as I find a 12 mm stainless rod.

And finally I cut the other end just for the looks: