Get Me Off and On the Bow!

[Pat Anderson]

Patty here. Okay all you creative C-Brats. I've spent a lot of time online looking at devices to get a short person off and on the bow when beaching bow first. Now, getting off isn't so hard, but getting back on...... I don't want a "rope" ladder because that will follow the hull under. I saw a very clever device that attaches to your anchor cleat but your legs had to be 4' long to step over the pulpit. Is a long solid ladder my only choice? Something else big and bulky to carry around?

 

[rogerbum]

Patty here. Okay all you creative C-Brats. I've spent a lot of time online looking at devices to get a short person off and on the bow when beaching bow first. Now, getting off isn't so hard, but getting back on...... I don't want a "rope" ladder because that will follow the hull under. I saw a very clever device that attaches to your anchor cleat but your legs had to be 4' long to step over the pulpit. Is a long solid ladder my only choice? Something else big and bulky to carry around?

How about carrying along a tall, handsome and strong young man to help you get up there? You might find other uses for him, tire changing, re-wiring batteries, etc. Just an idea....

 

[localboy]

A legit problem, Patty. Meredith is [only] 5'2" and I'm not exaclty 6'2" myself. :wink: I'd flop on my buddy's wakeboard boat like a seal; not very gracefully I might add, when we'd beach that boat. :lol: Now back home it wouldn't be an issue due to water temps; but here...I'm open to ideas myself, as long as it's compact, light and works.

 

[rogerbum]

Seriously though, you can use one of the folding swim ladders like many have to get into the cockpit and put an extra set of connectors to hook it onto the bow. That will get you up there and rather than trying to go over the bow rail, you can slip under it. I know I've seen photos in someone's album with a ladder set up this way (it might even be in SeaWolf Joe's album).

On edit - Yep I found a picture in SeaWolf Joe's album -

 

[mwilson]

West marine carries a 4 step ladder that had brackets that you can attach to the deck to lock the ladder in place. I use mine for climbing in the bow and its great as you can grab the bow rail for help boarding. This ladder hooks over the gunnel for use as a swim ladder, and folds and can store in the interior of the cockpit for storage.

I got mine at the factory garage sale but I know you can get them at West Marine. michael

 

[Doryman]

Here are a couple of pix from Discovery's album. I stole the idea and did the same after seeing how well it worked at Lake Powell.



Warren

 

[TyBoo]