Handicapped accessable

[skipperdude]

Still looking for a boat that is Accessible for the Admiral.

What would fill the bill in my search is a boat with a head in the salon.

I think I could rig something to allow access to the cabin area. (A hoist system that I can rig from the overhead.)

As my wife has MS and confined to a wheel chair. She can walk a little with plenty of handrails and supports but the stairs are a major problem.

So a galley up with a head on the salon floor would nicely fit the bill.

The only boat I have been able to find with all access on the main deck is a Krogen Whale back but at 500k+ a little out of my price range.

If you have seen a boat like this. That would be great.

I live in Alaska so something on the west coast would be nice.

SD*

 

[jleonard]

Mainship Pilot house 40 circa 1984 thru 1986 might fit your bill but there were only 40 or so made and*will be hard to find.

 

[skipperdude]

jleonard wrote:
Mainship Pilot house 40 circa 1984 thru 1986 might fit your bill but there were only 40 or so made and*will be hard to find.

*Jay Dude.

*Man that looks like what I have been looking for. There is one on Lake Charles.

Anyone on the forum live near there?

SD

 

[healhustler]

SD: Sending you a PM on this.

 

[skipperdude]

Cool! *Thanks.

SD

 

[Conrad]

There was a Sunnfjord custom built for a couple where the wife had MS; I think it was about 48' or so. Anyway, it was up for sale on Yachtworld a while back, and while I don't remember the price the exterior looked a bit worse for wear so if it is still available (it's no longer on Yachtworld but there could be any number of reasons for that) it might be reasonably priced.

This boat was covered in a PMM article when it was new; everything was on one level except the pilothouse which had wheelchair capable elevator access.*

The Sunnfjord site has some info on the yacht:

http://www.sunnfjordboats.com/pg/projects.html

*

Good luck with your search.

 

[skipperdude]

Thanks Conrad,

*I saw that one come up also but it was purchased before I could ask about it.

Hard to believe with the baby boomers moving up in years there arn't more boats retrofitted.

The Admiral and I discussed it a lot and we decided that if we could at least find one with a head and galley on the salon area it should work. She can't weigh more than 90 lbs soaking wet. ( Women and there weight) *so retiring for the evening to the cabin area should not be an issue. I can pick her up and carry her down 2 or 3 steps.

With a set up as described she will at least feel and be part of the action.

*The available head is a real issue. Like many women a bathroom is a necessity not a luxury.

SD

 

[Conrad]

Some other thoughts:

I recall reading a magazine article a number of years ago that covered a boat that had been retrofitted to allow its disabled owner to hoist himself on and off by himself. Although that may not be what you need, the rest of the article may have covered the interior redo also, I don't recall. I also don't recall which magazine it was, but I'll look through my old PMM's in case it's there - it might be helpful to know what boat he deemed suitable for the refit.

There used to be (and maybe still is) an organization in the Vancouver (BC) area that was focussed on setting up small sailboats for disabled sailors. I don't recall their name but they may have insights into setting up or selecting larger boats for similar use.

I recall meeting a boat designer at a Vancouver boat show who was himself disabled; I believe (but am not absolutely sure) that it was Patrick Bray. He may have some thoughts also.

Edit: just looked up Patrick Bray's site, and yes, he is the one I met.


-- Edited by Conrad on Monday 26th of September 2011 02:08:58 PM

 

[skipperdude]

Yeah that is the one Conrad mentioned . by Sunnifijords.

Not available as I understand it.

sd