My wife has trouble getting on the boat from the water, and I expect it can be hard when you are tired, cold, or wornout. A bunch of folks had goood ideas for assisting someone onboard. I rigged a rope step that is bungeed to pull up on the tramp. You can grab it with your hand, pull it down and put your foot in it, and step up on it as you scramble aboard. The rope has a stopper knot and bottle cap to set it's pull out length through a grommet in the tramp.
I made a photo album in:
Albums / Beachcats Technical / Rope Handle-Step
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ictures/?g2_itemId=82796
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John Fricker
Prindle 16
Seabrook, Texas
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Mounting a boarding ladder
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Posted: Oct 20, 2011 - 05:06 PM
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 07:13 AM
jfricker, that's clever!
I just remembered my trick to get aboard was to go aft and climb on the sterns which were easier to submerge. I just pushed the crossbar hard over so I wasn't climbing over the tiller arms, or else just climb over them. Keep in mind I was sailing on a NACRA 18 Square, by myself, so I first had to make sure the main was uncleated or I might be steering the boat somewhere I didn't want to, ha ha
Edited by tami on Oct 21, 2011 - 08:25 AM. -
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 08:04 AM
Uhm, very weird suggestion, but isn't it possible to use the righting line to climb back aboard? all of ours are tied off just aft off the mast on the tramp, if you could possibly tie it of somewhere else (shroud, tramp).
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Stefan, Denmark.
H14,H16,P16,P18,SC17,N5.8
Team StaySail
http://www.staysail.eu
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 08:36 AM
John, you need to work for the rocket ranch. They need folks like you! Of course you would be worried about your job about now so, never mind.
A couple of questions; what size elbow is that, (looks like 1/2" but I could be wrong)? Also where do you tie off to at the stern?
When you swing up, can you grab the trap wire handle to help haul yourself out of the water? Looks like you can but hard to say from the pic.
Thanks for the idea, I am doing some rigging replacement on my 16 and this will definitely be on the list.
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Mike Brady
Sugar Land, TX
Sailing off Magnolia Beach in Lavaca Bay TX
http://358degrees.blogspot.com/
P16 "Pooh Cat"
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 10:28 AM
Yes. I considered tying a step to the righting line, but didn't like how bulky it became and also did not want to have to have someone onboard deploy the righting line and then restow it. There is one step on each side, so they can get aboard on either side by themselves.
I think it is 1/2" PVC. I used 3/16" rope which is a bit thin and might switch to 1/4". I tied the bungee to the tramp lacing in the back corners.
I have not tried it in the water yet. I figure at that location you can grab the shroud, trap handle, front beam, and hiking strap so something will be available.
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John Fricker
Prindle 16
Seabrook, Texas
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 10:33 AM
My righting line is tied right behind the mast. I had a Hobie 16 years ago with the continuous righting line that ran around the outside of the tramp, and you could add a step to that setup which would be clean and accessible.
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John Fricker
Prindle 16
Seabrook, Texas
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 10:50 AM
You should be able to. I can easily reach the handles from in the water. My method for boarding is to swim alongside, reach up & grab trap handle, then swing one leg up onto deck. With both hands on the trap handle pulling, & one leg that gives some assist, I can flip back onto the deck within a couple of seconds. You sort of do a roll as you come up.
That is a great idea you came up with, simple, cheap, & most of all effective. Some people may not have the strength to push up using only one leg. Your system could easily be modified with either a wider step, or two singles, so as to allow both feet purchase. Anyone who can rise from a knee bend using both feet should be able to board unassisted.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 11:41 AM
I like what you have done I think I will use a modified version to assist me. I have a step but from the water it is still not working for my fat ass. Your step as a retractable handle to pull on in the right spot(s) might help give me enough leverage to get up. I can do it with the step and a hand up from someone on the boat but not alone.
Also I cannot board from the sides too much center of gravity issues getting over the edge. It has to be front beam on a corner between hull and beam where I can get a lend on the hull in front of the beam.
I think when you try it from the water you might find this easier as well. I love the retractable idea well though out and nice and clean.
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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
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