I found some old threads on this, but what's a good cheap option?. I tried a rope one and a plastic one that hooks but neither really worked. It's mostly for the family and occasional dips when I'm fishing.

Thanks

 

I have one very similar I got through Amazon a little cheaper.

 

Worth it's weight in gold if ya fall out.

 

It's small and out of the way. I have it tied to a cleat in the back where it hangs near the waterline. Easy to deploy and reach from outside the boat if I have gone overboard. The power trim switch on my outboard is within reach to help and old fat man get back in.

If I go in and I'm alone......I'm gonna climb on my outboard and trim up until I can climb over the top of the motor into the boat.

If you have children or people wanting to swim get a ridgid folding ladder that hooks onto gunnel. The rope and other emergency ladders will help you get back into a boat, very difficult to do this with shoes on or trying to use the OB trim up switch without a something like a rope to assist you.

Tom