public launch sites handicap accessible

[aprilrose]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

guess I stirred up and or opened up a can of worms probably the point I'm making is public state and federal sites are not handicap accessible so why do they post it that way more than half of our sportsmen are challenged in some way not to mention family members and friends so if we can go to the bottom of the sea or visit the moon why cannot we resolve , considering finance logic, feasibilty safe journey for all ty for your replies

 

[agallant80]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I have wondered about this too. NC Wildlife has a guide to ramps and they point out the handicap accessable ones. Besides the bathrooms I could never tell what exactly made them handicap accessable.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

My thought is its like owning a car that has to be equipped the state dosnt supply those ether. I have seen several pontoon boats set up for that. I am sure if you really want to you can do that. A pontoon can be easily changed around for access and if its kept on a slip their is no trailing or launching or retrieving. Most ever dock and marina I have seen are a ramp access out to the slips. So perhaps a boat is in your future.

 

[aprilrose]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I suppose if i had won that powerball lotto I might afford a pontoon boat don't expect to have an extra 25-50 grand anytime soon

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I suppose if i had won that powerball lotto I might afford a pontoon boat don't expect to have an extra 25-50 grand anytime soon

Ok so lets play devils advocate here, especially since you are handicapped and I think a vast majority of us are not, tell us what would make a boat ramp easier for you as a handicapped person to launch/retrieve and then get into your boat at a typical boat ramp.

I'm not trying to pee in your wheaties but this could be beneficial for those of us who do not know what it would take in order to make your life easier/safer as well as the many handicapped boaters out there, and when it all comes down to it that's what matters right?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I suppose if i had won that powerball lotto I might afford a pontoon boat don't expect to have an extra 25-50 grand anytime soon

WOW! you have lofty needs... I could find a nice pontoon for $2-8K any day.

Fact is handicap accessible means restrooms, sidewalks etc


You have to be able to get into the boat on your own..... they put wheel chair lifts in minivans... not in parking lots

 

[NYBo]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

You have to be able to get into the boat on your own..... they put wheel chair lifts in minivans... not in parking lots

Good analogy, Kevin.

 

[aprilrose]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

a simple handrail would put a heck of alot of us down/out onto a dock,leaving an opening or two to step in/out of boats as is now most docks completely open space either side even yourself could find it staggering walking without hesitation of sorts most launch sites have more than 1 dock 1-rail could possibly accomadate aheck of alot of walking wounded,elderly as well as youngsters, wheelchaiars out to openings, boat companions from dock's edge in/out of boats , a feeble attempt is better than none at all take one of us out,you will never regret it or be forgotten Cheerio's no Wheaties please red skies

 

[NYBo]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

a feeble attempt is better than none at all

Actually, from a liability point of view that's incorrect.

take one of us out,you will never regret it or be forgotten Cheerio's no Wheaties please red skies

Gladly!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

guess I stirred up and or opened up a can of worms probably the point I'm making is public state and federal sites are not handicap accessible so why do they post it that way more than half of our sportsmen are challenged in some way not to mention family members and friends so if we can go to the bottom of the sea or visit the moon why cannot we resolve , considering finance logic, feasibilty safe journey for all ty for your replies

My first wife (RIP) was wheelchair bound and blind. There was no way she could use many ADA handicap accessible facilities. There are varied degrees of what handicapped is. When I took my wife on a boat it took 4 people to lift her and place her in a seat. The dam boat wants to rock with weight changes. While I am fully supportive of helping the disabled ........ the line has to be drawn. I myself had 2 full knee replacements in the last 15 months and there are things that I can no longer do but I just have to accept that.

I built a handicap fishing access on the Rubidoux river in Waynesville Missouri which permits people in wheelchairs to fish in the middle of the river. It was a walkway built out into the river.

Yes we can put a man on the moon but the cost could not be measured ........... how come we all can not go???? Because we probably do not have the skill set required......... ANYONE can go to the bottom of the ocean but surviving the trip and coming back alive is the trick......which is another non-cost effective measure.

Yes there are facilities for sportsman, groups that take handicapped sportsmen hunting, fishing and many other activities.

Do not expect any changes because they are not cost effective. Regardless of how happy people are they always want more. Your choices are to move to an area where they have accommodations that suit your needs. Want to fish for trout..... I recommend Missouri where many places are wheelchair/handicap accessible........or possible salt water fishing.....many piers are thriving with wheelchairs.

Whats the old saying "I cried for not having shoes till I saw a man with no legs"?

Try to make the best of what you have.

My current wife is curious after reading this thread and would like to know what if any fund raiser events you have organized to make a specific place have better access?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

Most of the lakes here in WV are COE ( core of engineers ) and do in fact have handicap fishing access piers with rails and lights and other things. The launch ramps and courtesy docks are open access with handicap access, their not for fishing and no railings, their meant to only serve people loading and unloading from boats. The marinas do in fact have handicapped slips that a lot of handicapped people can use with boats modified for use for boarding and their public access.

I am not sure if you own a boat, it sounds like you don't, but you want to be able to have access to the docks where fishing isn't allowed for good reasons and the same thing with the ramps, and get on a boat that you dont have if I am understanding things correctly.

I am handicapped my self and often take people out on my pontoon boat including the wounded warriors and many others.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I am handicapped my self and often take people out on my pontoon boat including the wounded warriors and many others.

You have gained my respect and thanks! Many of the activities on water are team efforts.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

I don't have an answer for your question, but I will tell you how I answered your question in real life, I am not Handicapped, a couple weeks ago I witnessed an older man wheeling a younger adult male in a wheel chair down the ramp and onto the dock then came back up the ramp and got his truck and trailer, turns out he was the truck and boat directly in front of me in line, he backs down the ramp and I got out and ran down to the dock because I knew exactly where this was going, he gets the boat in the water and he and I picked his 23 yr old Son out of the wheel chair and set him in the drivers seat, I told the father to give me his keys get in the boat I shoved them off and parked the truck. Then I launched and caught up to them, we talked a little bit and figured out we were both going to be on the lake about the same amount of time I gave them the keys and my cell number and told them if they wanted help give me a call anytime, the Son has been battling MS since he was 19, it was the Sons boat and he loved fishing but he simply cannot do it all himself anymore.

My point is there is no perfect answer, except helping one another, you are no less a man now then you were years ago when you were healthy, if you were in Colorado I would give you my number call me anytime, it would be my pleasure to help, don't hesitate to ask, sometimes people are a little afraid to offer, I don't know why, I am not. The most important part is that you have a safe, fun time on the water.

Kudo's to you. What a great thing you did.

 

[moosehead]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

We had thought through every conceivable method and idea to get our 88 year-old mom onboard our runabout, including loading and unloading from land, pre and post trailering. She made many sacrifices to introduce us to the love of boating, fishing, and the water, and we wanted to share it all again with her.

I was stumped until one day my lovely bride suggested renting a pontoon. It could not have been easier, safer, or more enjoyable for us all.

Aprilrose, perhaps if you describe your current boat, waterway and location, and needs, the board can try to come up with some ideas to try to get you afloat in a more suitable craft? Best wishes to getting back on the water, it truly is a gift.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

We have some ramps here in Florida with handicap boat trailer parking spaces, most of which are used just a few days a year while the rest of the parking lot fills up and boaters have to park their trailers blocks away. I am all for the ADA but sometimes we take it too far in my opinion. If a guy is capable of launching a boat does he really need a special parking space?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

If a guy is capable of launching a boat does he really need a special parking space?

YES Absolutely!

Many handicaps consist of little more than excruciating pain and or reduced endurance... Plenty of folks can launch but have extreme difficulty with a long walk. I think a few reserved spaces even if only used once in a while are a very reasonable thing.

If you are having to park "blocks away" then either you live in a very highly populated area or the parking area is way too small.

a handful of handicap spaces are not causing that problem.

 

[JoLin]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

YES Absolutely!

Many handicaps consist of little more than excruciating pain and or reduced endurance... Plenty of folks can launch but have extreme difficulty with a long walk.

Absolutely right. In my case I can manage bursts of energy, though they'll leave me kinda breathless for awhile. A long walk hauling a cooler is tough. One of the reasons that I moved the boat to its current marina is that I can back the car right up to the stern for loading and unloading. Before, it was a couple hundred yards walk carrying all our 'stuff'. Next step, if I can afford to change boats again, would be something smaller than the Four Winns... essentially heading back the way I came.

This leads into something I mentioned earlier, in that it'd be almost impossible for a municipality to accommodate every handicap. The handicapped person needs to make adjustments until such time as no more can be made. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep finding solutions for several years, but the day will come when I'll have to hang it up.

The idea of a different type of boat is a good one. Didn't occur to me as a possibility for the OP because a pontoon isn't suitable for my waters. Every individual with a physical problem has to think creatively and ask himself, 'what exactly are my limitations? What is the specific challenge that's keeping me off a boat? What can I do to meet that challenge, before looking to anyone else for a solution?'

My .02

 

[GatorMike]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

Absolutely right. In my case I can manage bursts of energy, though they'll leave me kinda breathless for awhile. A long walk hauling a cooler is tough. One of the reasons that I moved the boat to its current marina is that I can back the car right up to the stern for loading and unloading. Before, it was a couple hundred yards walk carrying all our 'stuff'. Next step, if I can afford to change boats again, would be something smaller than the Four Winns... essentially heading back the way I came.

I guess it is just me. I will guarantee you I am in a lot worse shape than most of those who use handicap parking simply because they get out of breath or have a little back pain. I am 65 years old, 100lbs overweight, smoked for 40 years, have diabetes, have had bypass surgery and have 2 stents in my heart but I refuse to use a handicaped space. My wife is 10 times as capable as I am but she has a handicap card hanging from her rear view mirror. I refuse to let her use it while I am in the vehicle.

Not trying to diss you but if you need a parking permit just because you have problems hauling a cooler from your truck to your boat you need to rethink things. Put the cooler in the boat before you leave home.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

Unfortunately there is no easy answer here.

My brother is in a chair (MS) and loves boating. It takes extra people and a lot of work to get him in a boat though. He even had a boat custom built for him so he could move around on it, but ramps and docks were still a pain. We came up with the idea to build a davit off the hard top that was supposed to be put on the boat as a way to get him on and off but couldn't get any help from anywhere do to the liability of moving a person with it.

http://forums.iboats.com/velocity-boats/first-wheel-chair-accessible-velocity-450655.html

 

[moosehead]

Re: public launch sites handicap accessible

^Gator, now imagine yourself with one leg, or a bound to a wheelchair, and the impact such would have on your daily life. Imagine yourself in the OP's position, unable to get on the water without assistance, or unable to use your vessel safely.

Now imagine how nice it would be for the OP to be at the helm of his craft.