Printable View
Getting older a fatter[emoji51]. Keep think if I fall out of my boat will I be able to climb up the motor and back into the boat. I used to could no problem years ago. Now I’m not so sure. I’m thinking some kinda flip down ladder I could get to from the back of the boat if I had to.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
good plan. Even if it was just a rope with a good loop in it you could get one foot in and then be able to fling the other leg over the edge of the boat. Some sort of contingency plan in case you find yourself neck-deep in 42 degree water. Yikes!
This is kinda what I had in mind
Rope would work but I’d have to figure out how to get to it from in the water.
Seachoice Telescoping Transom Mount Ladder, SS Telescoping Boat Ladders Boat Boarding Ladders | iBoats
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This may be the ticket
DasMarine Heavy Duty 3 Steps Boat Marine Sport/Diver Ladder 316 Stainless Steel Dual Vertical Telescoping Tube with 2.5" Transom Mounting Extension Shim (3 Step Ladder) Robot Check
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't remember where I bought mine, but I ordered it online. The one I have is like to the one tcounty posted except mine has 4 steps. The three steps won't get you much past the cavitation plate on your motor. The extra step makes a big difference.
The same thoughts were runnin through my mind 2 years ago, so I bought this : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0097L6KMK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I leave it folded up on top of the gusset in the transom area, and can reach, and deploy it from the water, even with my top in the down position. My boat sits pretty low, so three steps are plenty for my setup. YMMV.
Yes, I tested it out thoroughly, and not only is it easy to deploy and use, it is fairly out of the way, and holds my 200 pound frame very well. This is for emergency purposes only.
I did dissemble the mounts, and installed a 6 or 8 inch piece of bicycle inner tube over the main tube to stop the rattling ! I also cut 1/2" plywood backers, placed under the gusset, to provide additional support.
Attachment 365000Attachment 365001Attachment 365002
Good thread and great reminder! I will think about this and then forget about it. I'm afraid I'm in the same position, I may could use big motor to hoist myself back up enough to get in the boat. But really don't want to find out the hard way. I envision myself holding onto the rail and guiding myself back to shore with the I pilot. This time of year that could be a death sentence even if you did make it to said shore. Put this on my priority list as well as steps for my boat trailer.
Great discussion. I fell in a few years ago while fishing Lake Washington in MS. I was able to get my feet on the lower unit and used the trim switch to raise the motor and this helped me get back in the boat. The water was not cold but getting back in the boat quickly was a necessity. If you have been to Washington in the spring you know that it is full of snakes as well as crappie. As I said earlier, this happened several years ago and I'm not sure that I would be able to do the same thing now and certainly not as quickly. A fold down ladder is the best option, IMO.
I fish solo a lot. Not just crappie but trout and smallmouth too. I have several boats. This works well for all of them as I move it from the raft to the drift boat to the jon boat.
A self-stowing raft or dinghy ladder helping you get back in the boat.
The problem I see when using a rope type ladder is when you try to climb into the boat the part that is below the bottom of the boat will go under the boat. Y'all may want to consider keeping a solar blanket in the boat. They are very inexpensive and may save your life. I have one in my boat along with a telescoping ladder mounted on the transom.
Haha. They said you don’t have to put your beer down to pull someone in the boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by bfish
Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Emergency blanket is a great idea.
I I also got older and have been looking at ladders lately. Years ago I saw a ladder at a marina that had a tube inside a tube inside a tube that mounted on 2 of the motor mount bolts. Each tube had a step Just had to twist the inside tubes for it to drop down into the water. Didn’t think I needed it then but now I can’t remember where I saw it.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
This is what I think I’m going with. #900 capacity. Think I’m covered there. They also have a 4 step version for a little more.
DasMarine 3 Step Ladder 316 Stainless Steel Telescoping Ladder, 900 Pound Capacity for Marine Yacht/Swimming Pool with Retaining Strap (3 Step Ladder) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q28TQT5..._VlnnEbA9NZ6JT
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry, just now saw this. A few years ago, I fell in the lake while putting out stakebuckets. I was close to a floating dock so I swam over & a guy gave me a hand to pull me in. I thought I could just grab the dock and pull myself up but every time I tried my legs would come up and catch under the dock. After several tries, I realized it was useless.
A fisherman eased his boat over for me to grab and he led me to the ramp. It was only in a little over 3 feet of water but every time I tried to stand my feet keep slipping.
I had no idea how slippery it would be & felt like I was trying to stand up on grease. I had him to take me to just off the ramp where it turned to mud & rock. From then I had no more problem.
I did have a really good ladder on the back of my boat but when I fell I pushed my boat away from me. I had about the same distance to the boat as to the dock & I chose the dock. The ladder I had was a heavy duty & was located at the back of the boat. All you had to do is pull the handle to you and it would drop down. Very sturdy!
One concern I had is you might only get one shot to get back into the boat if you don't have something (like a rope) to pull yourself forward. If not, you could end up pushing your boat away from you.
I strongly recommend not using the motor to pull yourself up & into your boat. I used to think I would do the same thing myself until I read an article where someone had tried it & wound up slipping and cutting his femoral artery on the prop. Luckily someone was close by & was able to save his life. I used to write some outdoor articles for the local paper & because of this incident I wrote an article about this for the Corp of Engineers in TN.
Hope this helps someone! I know I thought about what could have happened all the way home knowing if things were a little different someone could have had to go to my home to tell my wife I had drowned. Normally, I had my life vest on but not that day, had just put in. NO EXCUSE!!
I'll try to find the name of the ladder I use. I hope I never have to!
Tcounty - thanks for doing the research on this. Just turned 65 myself and think this is a good investment in my grandkids future. They need to know how cool their Papa is!! Just ordered the 4 step model. Thanks Again!!
I almost figured everyone would think it’s sissyfied lol. I use to (15 years) ago climb up the motor. Summer time pulling cranks, I’d reel everything up and jump in to cool off. Climb right back in and keep fishing. Until the last time, my foot slipped and I was cut pretty bad on the leg. Haven’t tried again since. I’m too fat to do that anymore anyway lol.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk