DaySailer.org Forum

So you are swimming in the water and the boat is not capsized. How do you get yourself back in? Assume you are sailing alone.

the couple times I've jumped off the boat to check the CB or practice MOB drills or "heave to" with the wife (whom is greener than green as far as boats or sailboats is concerned), I've managed to climb back onboard off the stern (the point of lowest freeboard on the DS) easily....granted I'm 6'2" and been climbing in-and-out of boats all my life, but also you can use the pivot bolt/butterfly nut on the rudder as a foot purchase to heave yourself back up

Cheers
mike J

The stern is supposed to be the easiest place to get back on. I'm working on a new re-boarding method since my capsize in June. I have some arthritis in my knees so that doesn't help. I had previously had put a heavy nylon stirrup starp and stirrup (just like for a saddle) on my stern. Having made saddles at one time years ago, I figured if it would work to mount a horse, it would work to mount a boat. Worked for me in practice, not in the rough waters and current of the Laguna Madre however. The strap kept getting up under the boat and proved to be of no help. I'm told that rope ladders have the same problem. Currently I'm thinking about getting one of the stainless steel folding type ladders to attach to the stern and putting a small grab rail on the gunwale near the stern to grab onto to help pull me up.

John

I have two rings in my stern that I use for hoisting the boat into and out of the water. I also have a piece of line tied between them that hangs down just above the waterline, (between the stern and the rudder) that I consider my way back into the boat if I go overboard. I have never tried it, so I can't say if it works or not.

I've always been able to climb over the stern, but I am young and fairly tall. ; )

Some thoughts I've had:

Short of getting a ladder, I might try cleating a line, or webbing, from one stern cleat to the other. Leaving enough slack for the line to dip into the water aft and below the stern. You could use this as a "step" to help get yourself in the boat.
Take note, if the "step" puts your hips or midsection at the top of the stern and you lean forward slightly, your body will shift into a horizontal position putting half your body into the cockpit. This may, or may not, be desirable for you. You might want to adjust the rope so that it puts the bottom of your sternum at the top of the transom and you can muscle your way in from there.
Test this at the dock first and mark the line.

If you take the rudder assembly off first, you might straddle a rope ladder between the stern cleats.

you could make a ladder that mounts where the rudder goes with some spare pintles and lumber.

I used to water ski and getting in a boat from the water is a common activity. Ski boats either have a folding ladder or a platform that is mounted just above the waterline.

I've had good results shopping at Overtons.
Home page: http://www.overtons.com/

Ladders: http://search.overtons.com/?Ns=p_image_ ... -Platforms

I would use a single rope with a loop on the end for a foot hold attached to one of the stern cleats to help pull myself over the side. It wouldn't be pretty though.

BTW, Here's a guy who also had a problem getting into his boat.
http://youtu.be/M6gMDlTTN6A