Re: M_Boats: Boarding Ladders & sculling

[Stanley Winarski]

Sandra,

Some folks run out of gas after they've run out of wind after they've sailed far from home - so they scull. I've paddled and keep two paddles in my boat at all times (one for me and one for any guest on board). There was a time when I was too proud to mount a motor on my boat but paddling for a few hours at sunset on an outgoing tide in the Chesapeake Bay cured me of that vanity.

I've got a rope ladder (with plastic steps) on board for emergencies but have found it to be very unsatisfactory for general use - one really needs a firm surface against which to press when climbing out of water. I've not found any way to keep the ladder from swinging under the hull when I put weight on it. That results in your attempting to not only climb out of the water but doing it while literally lying on your back.

It works fairly well tied to the chainplate when the person onboard tips the boat while the person in the water mounts as far as they can up onto but doesn't try to climb the ladder. Then the onboard person tips the boat to the other side lifting the swimmer out of the water and occasionally into a posture more suitable for climbing the last step or two onto the boat. I guess it is like a man overboard recovery sling but requires a fairly agile man overboard.

I've tired climbing it circus fashion (one foot in front and the other from the back climbing the side of the ladder). The results were hilarious but not terribly successful as far as getting out of the water and into the boat. But I still love the high freeboard of the Montgomery

Stan
M-15, #177, Carol II


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