Are Fender Eyelets Strong Enough For Attaching ...

[wooster]

things?

I'm looking for a place to attach a home - made emergency rope ladder. My plan was to stick a wire across two fender eyelets and hang the ladder from that. Otherwise I could attach the ladder to one eyelet only. Is this a recipe for success or otherwise? The eyelets seem strong but maybe not enough. In general is this a bad idea? Maybe this is an impossible question to answer and I should stick it onto a mooring cleat which, though it would make ladder access inconvenenient should be strong enough. I do have rails along the boat which seem strong too. I'm not sure how to tell

[Regulo]

No. You need something bolted right through the fibreglass, with a backing pad. That's what I'd do, if I were me. 

[grendel]

I would use the cleat, and before using it check it is really secure to the boat. I have seen fender eyes ripped out of boats just by brushing fenders too hard. the last thing you would want is to get halfway up the ladder and then have the thing it was secured to break loose.

[CambridgeCabby]

As others have stated do NOT rely on a single or two fender hook fixings to support a wringing wet persons weight , you need ideally a through hull fixing with a sturdy mounting plate behind .

[BroadAmbition]

Ditto wot the last three forumites said

Griff

[wooster]

Thanks for the unequivocal replies. Probably a bit of a numpty question. it's more or less what I assumed but thought I'd make sure. I suppose I was hoping to get away with a bit less work being done but good to get that notion out of my head 

[Regulo]

Better to ask the question than end up with an unsafe safety device! As Grendel said, I too have seen fender eyes ripped off in minor brushes. Not to say yours aren't bolted through, but it's highly unlikely.