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(@rkooy)
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28/09/2021 10:55 am
 17. Jul 2015 at 05:03 |
If one was to have the misfortune of falling over the side, and assuming that you managed to get back to the yacht, what is the recommended way of getting back on board and what types of ladders have members used.
For cruising my wife and I are likely to be the only crew, and we would like the option of going for a swim. I know of all the theoretical winching and par buckling with a sail that we use to get past racing audits for MOB rescue, but I'd like some way that would actually work without causing a heart attack to the onboard crew.
I don't like the look of the over the rear ducktail folding ladder as I think it spoils the lines of the yacht, but there aren't a lot of options. Possibly a 4 step fold down telescopic ladder from the side of the pushpit. I would prefer something permanent that could be pulled down by someo Ne in the water rather than a hooked over the side ladder that is stored below.
I would appreciate any suggestions of how other members have solved this problem.
Paul |
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
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Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:55 am
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Hi Paul,
We have a Dixon (NZ) folding ladder. It has keyhole mount plates which fix to the deck and we have mounted them so that the ladder is at the widest part of the boat.
When not in use it is lashed to the aft pulpit.
The stern moves up and down too much to be considered a safe place and yes it would not look good either!
We are also very careful not to fall overboard and use harness and tethers in rough weather and at night.
We have a life-sling thing on a line which, when worn is like a sort of harness and the wearer can be winched aboard with a halyard. Hard work!
We sail mostly two handed and recognise that it is a big ask for the one left on board to help even a fit partner back on board.
Our ladder had 5 rungs which is fine but Whitworths has the 6 rung which is the same but 1 step longer.
Cheers,
Tom
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
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Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:55 am
Thanks Tom
I checked out the work you were doing on Boomaroo the other day when I was down at Brighton Marina - its a lot of work removing the mast.
I've been trying to follow through with a few options to get back on board.
There are two Plastimo devices that are really interesting one of which I can find in Australia - Both are in effect rope ladders that pull out of a canister or bag by a person in the water. The canister one is a tube bolted through the hull. I havent found this available in Australia. They also offer a bag mounted ladder that you hang on the rails which is either a 4 or 5 step ladder (About $140 from Adventure Safety)
I've purchased a cheaper chinese copy (Ebay $40) that does the same thing
I've also got a "Ladder Fender" which is big and bulky but is a bit more useful when cruising.
Paul |
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(@rkooy)
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28/09/2021 10:56 am
Seashell Offline
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Hi Paul,
Have you seen Stolen Kiss, a Hylas 47? I intend doing something similar on Sea Shell. A folding ladder that drops down from the Safety Rails on our port side, and a break in the Safety Rails(without ladder) for boarding from the Zodiac on the starboard side.
That should take care of everyday boarding, however, a ladder for use when someone has had an unexpected swim whilst underway will need to be as far aft as possible. I have a windvane on the transom and will experiment with climbing that. I remember reading about a Japanese solo sailor who was towed along by his life-line until his boat ran aground at the base of a lighthouse he was using as a waypoint. There is at least two lessons there!
One of the associated problems with cruising in an S&S34 is how to carry a sea worthy tender. You can end up in the drink pretty quickly if your dinghy is not up to the job.
I have recently purchased Zodiac 3m Rib with a folding transom. It easily folds down to a 7 foot package that fits on the cabin top. I intend launching it with a block & tackle on a halyard.
Sorry that's getting away from your question. Whatever arrangement you decide upon needs to be accessible at the transom. Please let us know what you end up with.
Stay safe,
Dave
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:56 am
I have priced the cost of a gate on one side amidships to make my entry a little easier and i have photos of a similar system that bolts to the al toe rail. Only problem is i would feel like i'd left the bollards out if i had the ladder hanging there while sailing.
the chinese copy of the plastimo ladder in a bag arrived today and i plan to attach it to the port side of the pushpit. mat have to add a longer strap to allow it easily to be deployed from the water but the weighted ladder is long enough and should work ok if the boat isnt going flat out.
as to a tender i have a brand new 2.3m inflatable that hasnt yet made it onboard - from its box it seems like i will have a storage problem, but it comes with the purchase so id better work with it.
In my ss34 (hull no13) i have a pretty useless cockpit locker. I am considering changing thhe gally to add a fridge freezer like the more modern boats and do away with the starboard pipe berth and extend the locker to the hull, principally to take the tender,when cruising or spinnakers while racing. Has anyone got this layout? I see that a gas locker is possible aft of the cockpit locker - pwrhaps i could add some extra fuel tank on the base and a reasonably deep cockpit locker there.
Coming close to a new home for misty in Port Phillip bay - meeting with Royals tomorrow to discuss a marina berth for October
Paul |
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
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Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:56 am
Seashell Offline
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I'd rather be sailing!
Posts: 7
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Hi Paul,
Sea Shell is a later hull, # 117 I believe, however, that is yet to be confirmed. The fridge/icebox is good and I have a bench top modification under construction that I will post on the forum when completed. I have sacrificed the oven for additional bench space & storage. I put a two burner Origo stove in the usual place and a new bench across the front. It should be great for food preparation and has lots of Drawer space underneath. An old mate who is one of the original Swarbrick tradesmen is helping with it.
We bought Sea Shell a couple of years ago. She was in excellent shape and looks like a new boat inside. It is great to see them being looked after.
Dave
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:56 am
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I've got a Fleming vane and can climb back onboard by stepping onto the blade. The problem is I have only tried it on the mooring, whether I can do it in a 5 metre sea is another question.
I also have a rope grappling ladder which I can clip on the toe rail and drag it over from the water. Again, works on the mooring but?? What happens if it is on the other side to me?
Don't fall over!!
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(@rkooy)
Member Admin
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:56 am
Seashell Offline
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I'd rather be sailing!
Posts: 7
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Valid points John. A big dose of adrenalin might sort out the 5m seas?
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
28/09/2021 10:57 am
Tonight, at about 9.00 pm, I put my ladder to the test.
I was bringing my Magma kettle BBQ on board and managed to lose the grill over the side after losing balance. While you can get replacement parts they are expensive and wouldn't be available before our Bass Straight cruise on the 2nd Jan
it was good it was dark, both for the wedding party at the yacht club who didn't need to see me strip off and for me not being able to see those little jelly fish normally floating about that I wouldn't normally swim with.
I had the ladder se up on the port pushpit rail. The ladder deployed but given the shape of the hull tended to disappear under towards the rudder. I managed to get back on board unassisted, but it was difficult getting over the edge for the last step.
I plan to try again with the ladder closer to a wider part of the boat next to the companion way to see if this improves things.
I managed to find the missing BBQ parts in 2.5m water by feel.
Cheers
Paul
Williamstown |
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