Swimming off the C-dory 22

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
As I look for a used C-22 Cruiser to purchase, I'm wondering what most C-brats have found as the best way to swim off of the boat? I'm thinking the small swim platform and ladder off the stern is best. But wondering if there are other options. Also, while not as important, I do currently have a lab (dog) that will probably get to go with us once in a while. I've got the dog ladder Overtons sold, that can attach to a swim ladder (altho needed some adaptions to work well), and assume it would work with the C-dory swim platform/ladder. I did check some of the other forums/threads, but didn't really find a whole lot there. Also, I enjoy taking my bicycles with us on some trips. I have the small folding bikes, but prefer to take my regular sized bikes. Thinking with the C-Dory roof, one could fix a roof rack (like I use on my tow vehicle) to store the bikes when traveling on the boat. Any thoughts or suggestions. I do plan on installing a radar radome too. Would it work just fine directly on the roof, or is it better to place on a tower of sorts. (Don't need more than about 10 miles range anyway..) Colby
 
Our boat didn't come with a swim step so I just ordered one from the factory. It'll match the boat color and it has a 3 rung folding ladder. I suppose you could use a ladder that hangs over the side to get on and off the boat, but that wouldn't be very helpful in an emergency, which is why I got a permanent swim step.
 
Having two teenagers and a couple of triathletes aboard, we swim off the boat a lot. With twins we didn't have much room for a swim step. We installed a divers ladder and love it. We once saved someone that had fallen of a railroad bridge on the Erie Canal by just putting down the divers ladder and taking him to a local dock.
 
On our 16 footer, I've stepped on the Permatrim and then into the motor well. It worked fine the two times I went swimming, but probably not a good idea. Make sure the engine is off! As far a bikes go, my Brompton 16 in wheel folding fits perfectly out of the way on the 16 footer, even in the lockable bow compartment on the angler.
Beckys_camera_Dec_2006_005.sized.jpg
 
Hi, We use a telescoping ladder of the gunwell if think 5 step with folding braces that hits below the water level. Folds up good for storage and very steady. Jim
 
Re: bikes on the boat. If you get a boat with a radar arch, that's where we strap on our folders while on the water...

TyingOff2e.jpg

A note on the factory supplied swim ladder: on our boat, the ladder only has two rungs; you need an additional handhold in the vicinity of the swimstep to be able to pull yourself up with only two steps. A stainless steel handhold or a line tied with a loop in it makes it usable. And when boarding the boat from kayaks or an inflatable dinghy, a line tied to aft cabin handholds with a loop is, likewise, handy.

Good luck with the search.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
As above there are many options. The "T" diver's ladder is an excellent way if you scuba dive. For swimming, we just used the ladder off the swim step. I did add an additional hand hold on the side of the splash well.

We have used the "pet step" over the transom--both to the beach and with floats. (The pet stop folds in half--there are several other similar devices). We also have done a lot of cruising with labs, and the easiest way is to put the hand behind their head and boost them into the inflatable (along with some water, so you want a bilge pump--and then let them climb into the splash well from the inflatable.

I have never seen the need to carry an additional over the gunnel ladder on the C Dories--although I have used them on other boats.

If you carry the bikes in the open, be sure that they are well preserved so that any spray will not damage them. Salt spray does not mean direct water contact--but just "in the air" to cause damage.

I prefer that the radar be a few inches off the top of the boat--I use the "Home Depot W C mount"--works great--and have used it on a number of boats.

IMG_0558.sized.jpg
 
JamesTXSD":3skwj7bn said:
A note on the factory supplied swim ladder: on our boat, the ladder only has two rungs.
Click to expand...

The one I ordered from Triton will have 3 rungs according to them. It wasn't a special request by me -- that's how they build them now, apparently.
 
I had a bracket built so I could get into the boat from the side....it is a real easy design...uses one of the pole mounts as the locking device...then I bought a dive ladder that locks into the bracket...makes a really nice ladder for scuba diving..
I have pictures of it on my album SEA3PO

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Swimming? In the PNW?.....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. :lol:
 
Bob (Brazo) I'll have to come over when you get the boat back in the yard and see what your ladder set up looks like. (When I finally find a boat, I'll have to come over a lot for ideas. ;-) Some of the boats I'm seeing already have the swim platform tho. Regarding the bicycles, I'm sure my foldups will fit anywhere. However, many times I prefer my full sized bikes, so wondering how folks carry those.
 
With the twin engines on the back of Still Crazy, the builder installed a nifty side mount ladder. It doesn't hang over the gunnel, but rather slips into a little latch mechanism on top of the gunnel. It has lots of steps, and make boring very easy. It does have to come off when underway though. It simply turns around and locks onto the top of the gunnel, but inside the boat. With a single engine and with the room, the permanent folding ladder off the stern would be great. But, with the side mount, there is little worry about getting jabbed by the motor with it's pointy parts. Dangerous, even when not running. Specially if your are boarding at the stern with waves coming in.
 
Have used both the divers ladder and the over the gunnels ladder. Prefer the latter. Coming over the stern requires considerable agility. One has to avoid trim tabs and engines and then the very slippery well (unless carpeted) and then over the well lip. The gunnel ladders (marketed by West Marine) are very handy and brackets for both the port and starboard side are immediately available. I place the brackets near the cabin so while climbing the ladder I can use the vertical cabin railings to grasp besides the hook portion of the ladder getting into the cockpit. Also, this arrangement allows one to access dingys brought along side for safe entering and leaving. Another plus is storage. The hook ladder is disengaged and reversed, dropping the step portion into the cockpit and out of the way but instantly available to use.

Suppose you are retrieving someone from the water. Are you going to drag him over the stern? You will bring them along the side. I saved a man's life by having the hook ladder dropped while he floundering around. If you want a fold down ladder under the swim step, fine. But I would add a hook ladder for side use. Get the heavy duty SS model with standoffs, not the cheap aluminum model, and forget the rope ladder with steps.

John
 
I agree with John.

I also have both a stern ladder and an over the gunnel ladder.

When swimming during the summer, we exclusively use the gunnel ladder because it is so much easier and safer.

The only reason I have the stern ladder is that, if I fall overboard, I can always access it.

The gunnel ladder might well not be deployed, and useless inside the boat, unless a second person is aboard.

Tell Harvey we've found another argument against twins, mainly that they use up more of the stern area, making less space available for an adequate swim step package that can help save lives (See Potter Water's post above.)

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I have used my paddleboard offshore at our lighthouse for a photo shoot.
It was easy to board and deboard. The paddleboard was placed in the water next to the boat, controlled by the leash and paddle and all I did was sit on the gunnel and step onto the board when leaving. When boarding I paddled next to vessel and sat on gunnel and swung aboard. Really easy. I would let the kids do this.
 
If you put no slip on the trim tabs, they make a reasonable step to get on board in an emergency if you have no other boarding option. If you are disabled to the point that you can't use the trim tab as a step assist, you may have a problem boarding anywhere. HOWEVER, if you don't have the tabs, the engine cavitation plates can be used. Twins make this method really pretty easy as you get one foot on one plat and the other foot on the other plats. I've done it. It wasn't comfortable, but one shouldn't give up on boarding in an emergency unless there is a fancy boarding system. Again, if you are disabled when you went overboard or are hypothermic you'd better hope there is someone around to help. I never ever boat solo. Some of you do and more power to you. I may even break my rule someday, but if I do, I know that I'd better be pretty creative in staying safe and that I'm taking my life, literally in my own hands.
 
In light of what has been said, I'd like to make a comment:

I've changed a lot as I've gotten older (70 in June, this year).

My ability to scramble and make do has changed a lot over the years.

I was a gifted high school athlete during those years, and could easily run a half marathon at 45.

However with advancing age, my ability to get back in the boat has diminished a lot. A decrease in strength combined with weight gains, makes it harder to use ladders and swim platforms.

It has become much more important to have ladder rungs placed further down in the water and additionally more solid handholds to allow me to hoist myself aboard, and I'm sure this is largely true for others.

I'm not planning on any gymnastic feats to get back into the boat, whether I'm in the water intentionally or accidentally.

Making the reboarding process easy is essential for everyday use, and especially important for accidents, emergencies, and hypothermia. You can't make it too easy, or too safe. But you can leave it so difficult to do that you cost yourself your own life.

Practice getting back into the boat under various circumstances. Start with warm water and a warm, healthy body. Then try it in chop, and maybe after a little cooling down. Try it with and without a life jacket on, and with heavy, wet clothing. You may be surprised, Even enough to improve on your system for reboarding and preparations. It's up to you to save yourself.

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Don't unintentionally fall overboard...wait, is that an oxymoron?

I couldn't agree more on the aging issue. At 67 I'm not way over weight, but I'm 50 lbs. heavier than when I was married. It makes a big difference in how well you can get in the boat even when you are intentionally in the water. It will be another two months before I'll have access to Still Crazy, then I'll get an album started and show the boarding ladder that is gunnel mounted and extend into the water about a foot below the keel. (about 5 steps on that ladder I think), Plenty deep. In fact some places we overnight at Powell are so shallow that the boat floats fine, but the boarding ladder bottoms out. I think that for us elderly, that the starboard side, gunnel attached...(not hung).. boarding ladder really does a nice job. Just remember to take it in before you hit the throttle.
 
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