Why should I upgrade or replace my companionway stairs?

Worn or poorly designed companionway stairs can be slippery, unstable, and unsafe. Upgrading improves onboard safety, comfort, and accessibility while enhancing the overall interior appearance of your vessel.

Do you build custom companionway stairs to fit specific boat models?

Yes, all companionway stairs and treads are custom-measured and built to fit your exact boat layout, ensuring proper angles, secure mounting, and seamless integration with the interior.

What materials are available for custom marine stairs and treads?

We build treads from solid teak or mahogany, with routed grooves, embedded non-skid grit strips or textured epoxy inlays for grip. The finish is marine varnish, such as Epifanes or Awlwood: high-gloss on the sides and risers, matte or textured on the treads.

Can you add non-slip surfaces to companionway steps?

Absolutely. We install integrated non-slip treads, routed grip patterns, or marine-grade traction materials to significantly reduce slipping, especially in wet conditions.

Can companionway stairs include storage or access panels?

Yes, companionway stairs can be designed with hidden storage compartments, engine access panels, or hinged steps, combining functionality with clean design.

How long does companionway stair installation take?

Most installations take one to two days, depending on design complexity and customization. We ensure precise fitting and secure mounting for long-term reliability.

Does the boat need to come to your shop for new stairs?

No. We make templates of the companionway at your boat, build and finish the stairs at our San Pedro shop, and come back to install them. Labor is $150 an hour plus the trip fee for each visit, and you get a written estimate before any work starts.

A close-up view of custom-built solid teak companionway stairs leading into a yacht cabin

Marine Companionway Stairs & Custom Treads

The entryway sets the tone for your yacht. We replace dangerous ladders or worn steps with custom-fabricated solid teak stairs, featuring integrated safety treads and ergonomic design.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Quoted after inspection

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (562) 542-7296 or submit a ticket

About this service

Companionway & Treads

The Grand
Entrance.

Your companionway stairs are the first thing guests see. We handle companionway ladder replacement, swapping dangerous ladders and worn companionway steps for custom-fabricated solid wood stairs, engineered for safety and finished for luxury.

Solid Wood Fabrication

We fabricate treads from solid, thick stock, typically 1" to 1.5" teak or mahogany, for strength and a solid, high-quality feel underfoot.

Integrated Safety Treads

Slippery varnish is dangerous on boat stairs. We make non-skid treads by integrating safety directly into the wood using routed grooves, embedded non-skid grit strips, or textured epoxy inlays that look intentional, not added on.

Ergonomic Redesign

Many factory boats have steep, ladder-like entryways, and a sailboat companionway is often steeper still. Where space allows, we redesign the stringers to improve the "rise and run," making entry and exit significantly easier on your knees.

The Fabrication Process.

Precision fit.

Templating

Boat angles are rarely square. We create precise physical templates of the existing space, accounting for hull tumblehome and stringer angles.

Milling & Joinery

Treads are milled from solid stock. Bullnose edges are routed for comfort, and complex angles are cut to ensure a tight fit against the companionway walls.

The Finish

A dual-finish approach: High-gloss varnish on the risers and sides for beauty, and a matte or textured finish on the tread surface for grip.

Installation

The stairs are mechanically fastened and bedded with marine sealant to prevent squeaks and water intrusion into the cabin sole.

Materials & Finishes.

Beauty and grip.

Solid teak companionway steps with routed grip

High-gloss varnished mahogany companionway stairs inside a yacht

Custom inlaid companionway stair tread with a compass rose

Technical Specs.

Construction details.

Tread Thickness 1" - 1.5" Solid Stock

Non-Skid Style Routed, Grit, or Inlay

Finish Type Epifanes / Awlwood

Common Questions

Can you make my ladder easier to climb?

Often, yes. If there is room in the salon, we can extend the run of your yacht stairs, making them less steep and adding wider, safer treads.

Are varnished stairs slippery?

High-gloss varnish is very slippery when wet. This is why we always integrate a non-skid solution into the tread surface itself, keeping the gloss only on vertical surfaces.