Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

[BugsBunnyBoater]

I just got a slip for my boat and noticed how far my boat will be from the dock at low tide. We had low tide and a strong north wind and all the boats seemed to be really low from the dock.

Do you use a boat ladder or what to help?

 

[scutly]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

i have the same issue. im going to get some pressure treated lumber and build a one step platform halfway between my swim platform at low tide, and the dock. i noticed some guys who have the same slip every year did this and im gonna copy them. last year i crisscrossed my stern lines and they made a natural step if ya caught the crossed lines in the right spot, but it was still a pain in the butt. here's my wife trying to help my nephew aboard.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

If you east coast guys would learn how to build a floating dock you wouldn't need to worry about it.

resized pictures

 

[cr2k]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

I think I would rather make the step down then board a frozen boat.

How about a gang plank. A couple of 2X10s as long as needed cleated together side by side and a pivot on the dock and a padded end on the boat or skate wheels on the boat end.

Just lower it when you need to board.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

Up in CT we know how to make floating docks. Don't lump us in with Long Islanders!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

we have a dock ladder, it attaches to the dock. http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...59998--submit.Search--submit.x.27--submit.y.1

 

[scutly]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

don't lump us in with long islanders!

ouch!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[scutly]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

we have a dock ladder, it attaches to the dock.

i was thinkin that way, but since there are none installed anywhere in any of the town docks around here, im assuming that elaborate a modification to the bulkhead is a no no. this would be perfect!

 

[nlain]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

Ga has floating docks also, have to with a 6 to 9 foot tide swing.

 

[rellsun]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

i have the same issue. im going to get some pressure treated lumber and build a one step platform halfway between my swim platform at low tide, and the dock. i noticed some guys who have the same slip every year did this and im gonna copy them. last year i crisscrossed my stern lines and they made a natural step if ya caught the crossed lines in the right spot, but it was still a pain in the butt. here's my wife trying to help my nephew aboard.

Hey Scutly i notice you have your boat over at Bayport marina. i can tell by the big boathouse. Corey beach in sayville has floating docks too bad its town of brookhaven.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

This is the dock at low tide. You can see the slips and how high the dock is at low tide.

 

[nlain]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

You are going to have to have a ladder that is attached so no one will borrow it when you are not around, a ramp of some kind that you can raise and lower or as suggested above, build a step or walkway that is lower to get you closer to the boat. That does not make sense to build the docks stationary like that, they should be floating.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

ever watch a floating dock float away with 6 boats attached in a northeaster?

Solving one problem doesn't solve them all.

Also, floating docks are expensive. So like with everything, you have to weigh all consequences. A lot of people would rather step down than pay $50/month more, year round.

If you build a modification to your slip, including by adding a ladder, be very careful you don't create something the boat might hang on, or catch under, as the tides rise and fall. Also many devices you put in for low tide will become slippery (or rot) so be careful. We make wooden ladders, and design them so a boat could ride up and down them without getting caught.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Boarding the boat at the slip at low tide

Low tide