FootballFan
Well-Known Member
Have been contemplating an issue: If I fall off the boat, how do I get back on?
Simple answer is to go to the swim platform, use the ladder and climb aboard. Couple of problems come to mind. First, the dinghy on the swim platform covers the entire platform and hangs over a bit off the stern. Second, I am not nearly as “agile” as I was. For you younger folks - read that as I am no longer a "spring chicken".
In theory I should be able to climb back on, leaning forward as I come up, working my way underneath the bow of the dinghy. Somehow scoot my butt around the bow of the tender… But after climbing around on the swim platform while the dinghy is loaded – thinking this would be very difficult for me.
Could always have my wife lower the swim platform into the water, climb up that way. At this point though she is upset and in panic stage because I fell in the water – how long does that take? What happens if the platform fails to lower due to any number of issues that could happen.
I have a very precarious activity that is a regular occurrence, putting the cover on the tender. I wind up having to crawl over the outboard, balance myself, hang on, to get the cover over the end of the outer tube.
I already have a pfd on, and have a line strung across the stern to hang on to. My approach to date has been the best plan is “not to fall in”.
So here is my solution...
Folded for storage
$27. Easy to store in a stern cockpit locker. Quick easy access, loop the line over one of the stern cleats and drop in the water. Climbing a rope ladder has challenges, tends to push under the boat, but it’s a pathway. For the dollars invested – I feel better. I now have an additional option for getting back on the boat.
Will test next week another concept -- does this work for getting back on the dinghy in deeper water? We go out to sand bars a lot. Get the wife loaded - sometimes I need to push out a ways before I get back on. Put me in waist deep water - I look like Shamu at sea world getting back in the tender. Thinking I can rig a line that the loop goes on, gives me a step before face planting on the tender.
For the amount of money I spent - I feel better.
mark
Simple answer is to go to the swim platform, use the ladder and climb aboard. Couple of problems come to mind. First, the dinghy on the swim platform covers the entire platform and hangs over a bit off the stern. Second, I am not nearly as “agile” as I was. For you younger folks - read that as I am no longer a "spring chicken".
In theory I should be able to climb back on, leaning forward as I come up, working my way underneath the bow of the dinghy. Somehow scoot my butt around the bow of the tender… But after climbing around on the swim platform while the dinghy is loaded – thinking this would be very difficult for me.
Could always have my wife lower the swim platform into the water, climb up that way. At this point though she is upset and in panic stage because I fell in the water – how long does that take? What happens if the platform fails to lower due to any number of issues that could happen.
I have a very precarious activity that is a regular occurrence, putting the cover on the tender. I wind up having to crawl over the outboard, balance myself, hang on, to get the cover over the end of the outer tube.
I already have a pfd on, and have a line strung across the stern to hang on to. My approach to date has been the best plan is “not to fall in”.
So here is my solution...
Folded for storage
$27. Easy to store in a stern cockpit locker. Quick easy access, loop the line over one of the stern cleats and drop in the water. Climbing a rope ladder has challenges, tends to push under the boat, but it’s a pathway. For the dollars invested – I feel better. I now have an additional option for getting back on the boat.
Will test next week another concept -- does this work for getting back on the dinghy in deeper water? We go out to sand bars a lot. Get the wife loaded - sometimes I need to push out a ways before I get back on. Put me in waist deep water - I look like Shamu at sea world getting back in the tender. Thinking I can rig a line that the loop goes on, gives me a step before face planting on the tender.
For the amount of money I spent - I feel better.
mark