ladders to get back in the boat

[michael-lagrange]

My bother-inlaw, I mean brother-inlaw loves to go boating with us and we love to have him, however he is ripe and ready for picking at 285lbs and has alot of trouble getting back into the boat. Lets not go with DIET because ive been there for years now. ive tryed platforms with 3 steps, no help, side ladders with 4 steps, no help. <br /> To be honest with you im ready to instal a hydrolic system to lift his big %#** out of the water but would like to avoid that if possible. any suggestions on ladder types for this problem would be appreciated.<br /> Suuueeeeee

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

What kind of boat is it? I leave a rope tied to the back cleat of my boat. I do lots of SCUBA diving and I use a single-step swim platform. I grab the rope as I'm coming up with full gear, I can get up without the rope, but it really makes it easier. <br /><br />If you started leaving him in the water and having him swim back in, those pounds will start melting off!!!

 

[Twidget]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

Try telling him there is a water moccasin right behind him <br /><br />Maybe he just needs more practice. I am 6'3 and almost 300 lbs myself and have had 3 knee surgeries. I use the 4 step side ladder, partially because my transom is too small for a built in. After my last knee surgery, I tied a rope loop to the bottom of the fourth step of the ladder, it gave me just a little more depth to start off.

 

[roscoe]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

If you'd quit throwing him overboard, you wouldn't have this problem. <br /><br />sorry, have no help for you.

 

[stevens]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

Generally, the problem wih getting back on board will be twofold. 1) the bottom rung of the ladder is too high for the feet to reach, and 2) there's not enough to grab onto as you get out of the water and your load increases.<br /><br />So, install the deepest ladder you can find, maybe a very long telescopic one, and the more fixed & solid the better. Then, install solid grab handles along the ladder's top and beyond.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

I don't think you will find a telescopic ladder that is rated over 250lbs, especially with the first 'pull' from the bottom rung, it'll bend under.<br /><br />The only thing I can think of is to use a ladder in unison with the anti-vent plate.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

ok, this may be long. it's a common problem with portable ladders. we used the ladders with the legs that rested against the sides of the boat. the legs are not long enough, take some pvc and extend the legs. when the person is trying to board, count to 3, and everyone on board move to the opposite side of the boat, to counter the the boarding wieght. people have a tendency to try to help pull them in, thus making it harder as the angle of the ladder changes. with heavier people the ladder needs to be vertical to tilted away from the boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

just thought of this little funny. 10 years ago on brothers sail boat. been partying, went swimming, friend could not get back in. we ended up attaching a line to a forward cleat, dropping the line into the water, and the tail end around one of the sail winches. he stood on the rope, and we just winch him up over the side.

 

[stevens]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

Is this similar to your boat?<br />

<br /><br />In which case, the problem may be that the ladder tilts inwards under the swim-platform as he tries to climb it. The solution may be to somehow fix the ladder in a vertical angle, maybe by use of some stand-off or arm against the transom.<br /><br />In general, it's probably better to mount the ladder to either the bow or the transom, as you then avoid the side-to-side sway.<br /><br />Maybe something like one of these would be possible:<br /><br />

 

[gewf631]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

Originally posted by tashasdaddy:<br /> it's a common problem with portable ladders. we used the ladders with the legs that rested against the sides of the boat. the legs are not long enough, take some pvc and extend the legs. when the person is trying to board, count to 3, and everyone on board move to the opposite side of the boat, to counter the the boarding wieght.

Same goes for me. I'm 6'1", around 230#, and trying to get back in the boat is difficult for exactly the reason that tashasdaddy mentioned - made even more difficult after you've been pulled around in skis (the arms and legs are a little weak). No room at the transom (Smart Tabs), so up the side it is. tashasdaddy's PVC method is pretty much what we've done, and it works just fine.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: ladders to get back in the boat

I'm 6'4" weigh 194, but with full SCUBA gear, I am carrying an additional 60lbs when I climb aboard. Using a rope tied to the cleat, I am able to pull myself aboard using only the single step swim ladder, I put both feet on the step, grab the rope and pull. I find that having the rope to pull myself up makes it pretty easy, I don't know how your bro-in-law's upper body strength is though.