Swim ladder steps  Posted By: Carl Haddick, HorizonCat, CentralTexas  y swim ladder is made of 7/8” steel tubing, and was surprisingly rough on the unshod foot. If anyone else has a  similar problem, this is what I found to be an adequate cure. M  I took 1 by 2 inch planking, and used a router to make a semicircular channel on the bottom of the plank. This channel fits  over the ladder rungs, providing a distribution of force and helping the steps feel sturdy. I drilled one inch holes at just the right distance apart to match the spacing of the vertical rails, and then cut the plank  across those holes. This gave me the right profile for the steps to grip the side rails, and to keep them from turning on the  rungs. Finally, I rounded all the edges with the router, and cut a few tracks on the top sides of the steps to provide traction. To avoid drilling holes in the tubing, which I though would probably promote corrosion, I also used the router to cut  channels around each end of the steps so I could use a short piece of line to hold the steps in place. They don't look too ratty, and I think the bindings are fine for a sailboat ladder. Best of all, I can use the ladder barefoot  without so much trauma! 107