Patent ID: 7011036

Claim:
A boarding ramp for a boat comprising: a ramp portion having an upper end, a lower end, an upper surface, and a bottom surface, said upper end of said ramp portion being hingedly connected to said boat, said ramp portion having a raised position whereby said ramp portion is above the waterline of said boat and a lowered position whereby said lower end of said ramp portion is at least partially below the waterline of said boat, said ramp portion being vertically swingable between said raised position and said lowered position and freely rotatable about said hinged connection with said boat; and means for supporting said ramp portion between said upper end and said lower end of said ramp portion against the side of said boat upon weight being applied on the upper surface of said ramp portion when in said lowered position and allowing free rotation of said ramp portion about said hinged connection in the absence of weight being applied on the upper surface of said ramp portion when in said lowered position, said supporting means comprising one or more buoyant support arms connected to said ramp portion, said one or more buoyant support arms being vertically swingable with respect to said ramp portion.