lew Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Just thinking about the boater that fell out of his boat on Lake O the other day and drowned. I've got a drop down ladder on the back of my boat that I could use to climb back in...hopefully...in the event I fall overboard. What's everybody else using ?? Just curious if everyone has thought about it because it could happen to any one of us on the next trip. Here's my ladder on the right side of the motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have a small boarding ladder built into the back of my 20 footer, nothing on the 12 ft tinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKRISONER Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 id like to point out that boarding ladders are not easy to board from, as a wakeboarder, im 27 and work out all the time and even i find boarding from a boarding ladder difficult. For the old timers and those of us who are slightly lazier, i wouldnt count on a boarding ladder to bail you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 It is required by law if your freeboard (distance needed to climb vertically from the water surface to the edge of the vessel) is more than 20" Whether required or not,it would be useful for almost any boat provided of course your motor was stopped hen you fell out OR you were wearing you kill switch tether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bow slayer Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have one mounted on the back of my 16 footer,it is great for when the kids are tubing or just jumping off for a swim,though as mentioned it is not the easiest to climb out with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have a rope ladder I bring if I've got the kiddies, and we plan on swimming / jumping from the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLINKER Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I run the dock lines the length of the boat for grab lines, the boarding ladder is stowed out of the way. I recall one of the squadron members tossed his OL'Lady over the side for a man overboard practice and they couldn't get her back in the boat. She was not happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fang Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 We've always stepped on the cavitation plate as the motors usually in the down position. We stop for swims and snorkeling a lot up north and even I can haul my big carcass back in the boat this way. I can always reach up on the motor and drop the trim down if it's still up to high from being on plane. Kind of hard on the knees getting over the transom but it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted June 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 id like to point out that boarding ladders are not easy to board from, as a wakeboarder, im 27 and work out all the time and even i find boarding from a boarding ladder difficult. For the old timers and those of us who are slightly lazier, i wouldnt count on a boarding ladder to bail you out. Granted their not all that easy to use but their a heck of a lot better than no ladder at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Nope, don't need one on my boat. The cavitation plate is perfect for getting back in. Seems lit it would be on your boat as well. That's how I get back in when going for a swim to cool off out in the lake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Clemens Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Interesting thread. We have none, but a number of years back, one of our dogs fell out of the boat and I had to go in after her. She was a lousy swimmer and the water was a bit rough. Yes, my life jacket was on when I went in. After lifting her back in, I also used the engine to get myself back in. Not the best idea, but was my only option. Might be a good idea to pick something up that we could just hang over the back when we need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleheader Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have a boarding ladder. I was talking to a guy yesterday. A number of years ago him and a friend required rescuing from a local lake. They were both wearing life jackets. By the time they were picked up the cold water had zapped their strength to the point that they could not even climb the ladder. They were probably minutes from being in a very serious situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Cavitation plates great if the motor's not running! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Falling out of a boat while trolling alone is a real bad situation. If your not wearing your PFD, your in big trouble. Getting back into a moving boat isn't going to happen. Getting back into a stopped boat is a workout in itself. I don't have a ladder, I use the motor as well, but my boat isn't that high.....I'll have to measure, I may be over 20"..... S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 i use the Cavitation plate and trim the motor to lift them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have one of those great old school ladders with the rounded aluminum rail and wood slats.Two piece and is tied up in half with one of those heavy duty black bungy cords I will call them .Little stretch at all.Great for a dive in ,and easy coming in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondar Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 My boat had one when I bought it, but I've since removed it. I use the motor to get out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Familiar with the hight requirement for the need of a boarding ladder but I've never seen anything saying where this would be measured. Is it just the lowest point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I recently looked at the regs for a boarding ladder. It is measured from the waters surface to the top of the gunnel. The question is exactly where. I think it was the rear forward of the transom. I have a boarding ladder and it isn't the easiest thing to climb. I wear a hydrostatic inflatable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Rob, they measure it from water surface to top edge of transom......you probably don't have much more than half the requirement....9-10 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I figured I was ok by a good margin, just wasn't sure where the measurement was from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDave Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 I have one purchased it with the boat. Seems kind of flimsy but better than nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musky666 Posted June 11, 2015 Report Share Posted June 11, 2015 Came with the boat, not sure I would have ordered it if I had a choice- and hope I never need to use it in an emergency... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimsbylander Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Climbing into any boat in the summertime while swimming is night and day to the very same boat in cold water while wearing a coat, sweater, jeans and boots. Plan for the October/November/March/April dunking, not August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister G Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 My new 2015 PolarKraft Frontier came with a small bracket/step used to board on the starboard side of the transom. It folds down and snaps into place very easily then flips up when not in use and it's made of METAL ! ! ! I think all new boats should have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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