Falling off, getting back aboard.

[tex]

Janice mentioned the importance of planning a method of getting back aboard if one should fall overboard, so I thought it would be best to begin another thread to address the subject.

Janice: What steps have you taken to improve Seaweed’s board-ability? I recall you were still desiring a tuna door on your transom.

[janice142]

Hi Larry.

Seaweed has a great ladder that rides on the swim platform. It folds down, three steps beneath the water.
I found in boatyards it was a good way to board the boat too:



I do have hopes for a tuna door. Recently I acquired two large heavy duty hinges for the tuna door.
When I get to the boat yard I'm going to price out having one cut into the transom.

With the ladder I can get myself out of the water and onto the swim platform. For safety, I'd like a tuna door. Actually a half-door -- about 18" deep and wide. There are a couple other 'glass jobs at the transom. If I can afford everything, that would be great. Otherwise I'll wait.

Seaweed is already almost perfect. Except for the stuff that needs fixing, installation, upgrading, etc. There's always something.

[tex]

I’ve got another problem, Janice. Those skinny little steps on those tiny ladders hurt my feet...got no fat pad. I’m actually looking at a dock ladder with the wide steps, like on this Great Harbour 37.

[ka8uet]

I've got a fold down ladder (with the skinny steps!) from my transom steps on the port hull. It has a line so it can be pulled down from the water, and it's fully (all four steps!) underwater, which makes it easy, except for the skinny steps. I'm thinking of ordering some of those snap on teak steps to make it easier on my feet.

[tex]

Source of the post I've got a fold down ladder (with the skinny steps!) from my transom steps on the port hull. It has a line so it can be pulled down from the water, and it's fully (all four steps!) underwater, which makes it easy, except for the skinny steps. I'm thinking of ordering some of those snap on teak steps to make it easier on my feet.

Yes, exactly. I’ve seen those add-on step thingies somewhere. My Admiral wants a couple of those staples (U-shaped stainless steel bars) on the swim platform to ease the access to and from the dinghy....nothing to hold on to except me. Here’s an example of “staples”.

[ka8uet]

I've got a handrail all the way down my molded in steps, so don't need "staples". I understand, though. I need handholds even on dry land!

[tex]

I’ve been watching for them on Craigslist and other places, but they’ve been too costly. The last set I found just right down Island from me, but they were $900! Good 2” stainless tube too, but just too much out of my Soc Sec account to justify!

[CaptForce]

I had built a boarding ladder like Janice's on Seaweed, but I had put in rungs just 8" apart and extending about three feet into the water. This was a plan to allow Nancie more time for living aboard with her post-polio syndrome. My plan had one great weakness! When we were underway the ladder was folded up with the dinghy hung on davits aft so, there was no way to lower the ladder without first lowering the dinghy. Our retrieval of someone overboard depended on someone on board being aware of the rescue plan. This was to deploy the "Jim Bouy" long line rescue sling and circling behind the "man overboard". We used the halyard on the mizzen mast clipped to the rescue line that allowed Nancie to easily lift my weight aboard. This worked well in practice and once retrieving our Son in calm water, but I would not expect much success in rough weather. Even the easily accessed deployed ladder would be a wild swinging bludgeon in rough weather.

[tex]

Yes, I worry about how successfully things will work and even if they will work at all. Sea conditions can only be accounted for up to a point, and ability to handle lines, winches, cranes or what-have-you can’t be duplicated in practice. My boat, left as it comes from the factory, is really difficult to board from the water. There’s more than one story of passengers not getting back aboard without lots of help. With the mods we did, it “should be” manageable IF the person overboard is conscious. Unconscious, ???

[ka8uet]

Also depends on the agility of the crew overboard.

[janice142]

A couple of thoughts Larry: I'd buy starboard, shaped wide enough for your feet. If you extend the ends longer than the width with U-shaped cut-outs for the sides of your swim ladder then secured below too I believe it would stay together. Underside, you could screw in another U-shaped cut out to prevent the step from rotating. Maybe.

Handles everywhere I understand completely. Larry, I have something you might be able to use... I picked up at Cortez a couple of stanchions that might work. I'll dig 'em out and take a picture -- not Staples. You'll want to go to Cortez 20 October for the nautical flea market. I did great there last year.

As to CF's desires, may I be so bold as to suggest a houseboat? The smaller ones are all one level. Smaller meaning less than 30'... I've seen a few that would be a great platform as mobility becomes more difficult. I was aboard Bob's houseboat and saw real possibilities... though not the focus of the piece, his boat is mentioned in the http://janice142.com/Articles/ManateeMoves.html article.

[CaptForce]

Thanks, Janice,- you make a good point suggesting a means by which Nancie and I could stay on the water, but I'm too spoiled. It's as if I would not want to play if I couldn't win. Livingaboard for us always meant travel,- 'off to the Bahamas, Maine, or adventuring on the ICW. We couldn't just sit in a marina and I don't see houseboats capable of doing anything else. Even if I didn't have this "spoiled child" attitude, Nancie was burdened by the walk from the parking lot to the docks and the boat. Her challenges are more than steps up or down; however, her first hip replacement has allowed some improvement.

[Robin]

Source of the post Thanks, Janice,- you make a good point suggesting a means by which Nancie and I could stay on the water, but I'm too spoiled. It's as if I would not want to play if I couldn't win. Livingaboard for us always meant travel,- 'off to the Bahamas, Maine, or adventuring on the ICW. We couldn't just sit in a marina and I don't see houseboats capable of doing anything else. Even if I didn't have this "spoiled child" attitude, Nancie was burdened by the walk from the parking lot to the docks and the boat. Her challenges are more than steps up or down; however, her first hip replacement has allowed some improvement.

I had both my hips replaced in 2010/11 and oh boy, what a difference, have since boated and played golf so he should expect improvement to continue, but in any event give her our very best wishes (to you also of course!)

[janice142]

I had both my hips replaced in 2010/11 and oh boy, what a difference, have since boated and played golf so he should expect improvement to continue, but in any event give her our very best wishes (to you also of course!)

Ditto. The years afloat do make for some wonderful memories. How blessed we have all been to live this life...

[ka8uet]

CF,I also have mobility problems, including walking very far. I have a scooter that comes apart, and I use it when I need to walk around. It's easy to take apart and put together, and would be helpful to Nancie ashore or afloat.