Boarding the boat from the bow

[coryjmclaughlin]

We have a 28ft Larson that has a sloped bow which makes boarding and unboarding from a dock (slip) very difficult unless we back the boat in. It is a single screw so depending on the wind conditions (and the fact that we are new owners to this boat) backing into the slip isn't always a possiblity; so sometimes we need to go in bow first. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to make getting on and off the boat easier, especially with 5 & 6 year old children and a large Golden Retriever.
Thanks

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

put a color matched rubber overlayment on the bow for traction if that is a big concern

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

Assuming that the slips you use are too short to board the rear when you are bow first I say leave the kids at home one afternoon and practice, practice, practice... I have seen bow ladders but I an not sure if they were custom made or readily available.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

Keep working on backing in. You aren't always able to let the wind/current dictate what you need to do. If the wind was too strong to approach a dock for fuel, would you just leave and forget about it? No...learn to adapt.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

Move the boat from the slip to a side dock/T-head for your family and pooch to board.

 

[rbh]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

Unfortunatly, with a boat that size you want to board from the stern, or carry around a gangplank/ladder.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

or simply get a longer slip so you can board from the side (at the stern)

 

[HollieMac]

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

This is the best suggestion, to go to a good spot to board, and it gives you, the captain, time to get situated without being crowded, and focus on your boat prep. Making it a rule with no exceptions is the only way to make this work, though. As a wife that gets dropped at the concrete launch pier to go get the trailer, I can tell you my husband's desire to show prowess in just how quickly he can approach this immovable object and back away just as I have taken the leap, my boat bears a rather nasty nose scar clear down into the glass. I have started picking him up at this pier stern-first because I hate to see the dirty shoe marks left on my white vinyl (open bow). Stern first on a ski boat is easy enough to do though. I also like the suggestion of the rubber skin for your bow. That makes good sense too. Wish I'd had some. Who cares what you look like--it's about family fun, right? And losing the dog or the kid to the water is not the way to get started. esp since one foot on the bow and one on the dock will push the boat away, and uneasy boarders are prone to doing this.
Here is some more good advice, borrowed from a pilot, no matter what is going on in the cockpit, fly the plane, fly the plane, fly the plane. It goes for piloting a boat as well. Ciao!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boarding the boat from the bow

if you haven't a;ready, try approachhing into the wind/current, rather than with it; ironically you have more control