markpierce
Master and Commander
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 12,557
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Carquinez Coot
- Vessel Make
- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
It's as easy as pie for us. (click on the photo)
How easy is your embarkation?
- Thread starter markpierce
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 10,104
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Now boatless - sold 6/2018
- Vessel Make
- Had a Clipper (CHB) 34
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 10,104
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Now boatless - sold 6/2018
- Vessel Make
- Had a Clipper (CHB) 34
No Marin. Embarking is getting on...and disembark is...need I go on...but you knew that...
Thank you Dimer2.
Here is a better view of the hydraulic gangway what works with a 4 directions (up - down - slide in - slide out) switch + remote control. The left railing is automatically folding when sliding in the gangway.
Very convenient if we are mooring in "Mediterranean style" in some places over here. This hydraulic gangway can be used as telescopic crane (up to 650 lb payload) to load up and down the tender on the swim platform.
Today we are aboard but it's strongly raining, then sorry I can't show off the crane use in practice.
Attachments
Our embarkation is even easier than Coot's. We pull straight out of the slip. Coming back is probably more difficult because I back into the slip. Where I position the boat before backing in depends on the direction and strength of the wind. I like to back upwind to the slip if the winds are blowing.
Out in front of our slip it's wide open, no docks, no obstructions except for a bridge about 1/4 mile away. Easy Peasy.
Out in front of our slip it's wide open, no docks, no obstructions except for a bridge about 1/4 mile away. Easy Peasy.
That's how I take it. Stepping on or stepping off.
Having now clicked on the video, he apparently means leaving the dock.
In my case (my marina) it's simpler than that because I dock stern to like all the other boats. All I have to do is pull out and turn to port.
Now getting docked stern to in the first place is another story ...................
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2012
- Messages
- 4,275
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Insequent
- Vessel Make
- Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Scott is correct. Embarkation is boarding, you will do it prior to leaving the slip which is a departure.
And embarking is easy, just open the door on whichever side deck is against the dock. None of this hopping onto stern platforms or climbing over anything.
And embarking is easy, just open the door on whichever side deck is against the dock. None of this hopping onto stern platforms or climbing over anything.
Last edited:
eyschulman
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,288
I have a large stern platform maybe 6 inches above water with big SS staples to hold. The platform is accessible from a transom door with about 6 inches of drop. This allows for access from dinghy or low floating docks. For higher docks my cockpit side deck is low and wide there are lockers and step to get to this level where it is easy to step on and off the boat there is also a SS support post for roof as a convenient hand grab. Low center of gravity low freeboard boats usually do not have problems. High slab sided boats and large catamarans can be difficult. Some of the French cats look like they are made for rock and mountain climbers.
OP
OP
markpierce
Master and Commander
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 12,557
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Carquinez Coot
- Vessel Make
- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Boarding the Coot from a floating platform only requires stepping over the 18-inch gunwale midship. All but the handicapped are capable. Only one passenger has needed the assistance of a six-inch step to board. No stairs, no walking the plank, no "crotch walk" and no dangling at the edge of a swim step.
Have never berthed Mediterranean style, but in that instance I'd place fenders between the raised swim platform and dock, and lower the central railing/ladder, resulting in three steps at most to board the stern.
Last edited:
AusCan
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
- 3,218
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Kokanee
- Vessel Make
- Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
Our boat is always bow in to the slip, pointing into the prevailing winds. To embark onto the boat I use a home built set of 2 steps built from 2x10's to give easy access into the cockpit. I also use the steps as a base for sawing, clamping. painting, mixing epoxy etc. when needed. The steps are butt ugly. looking more like a well used workbench than a boarding platform, but they suit the purpose.
As far as leaving the berth, umm... we just leave. Nothing to be concerned about, unless the wind is 25+ kts.
As far as leaving the berth, umm... we just leave. Nothing to be concerned about, unless the wind is 25+ kts.
Last edited:
In the true sense of embarking and disembarking, it depends on the dock situation. With a floating dock it's just a matter of stepping from the dock to the swim platform and through the transom door.
At fixed docks, it depends on the height of the dock and the state of the tide. Our boat has steps in the cockpit so it's usually a matter of using the steps.
At fixed docks, it depends on the height of the dock and the state of the tide. Our boat has steps in the cockpit so it's usually a matter of using the steps.
Codger2
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Messages
- 6,691
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Circuit Breaker
- Vessel Make
- 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
WOW! Mark posted a terrific video of his "leaving the slip" and the response
was a lesson in "definitions." I, for one, do it exactly the way mark does when "leaving the slip" but I don't have near the room (fairway) that he seems to have. Nice video and I never get tired of seeing that boat!
was a lesson in "definitions." I, for one, do it exactly the way mark does when "leaving the slip" but I don't have near the room (fairway) that he seems to have. Nice video and I never get tired of seeing that boat!
Attachments
Last edited:
Nomad Willy
Guru
For easy embarkation Willy needs to be pulled in close aft. Willy's sides aren't straight or slab sided like most trawlers so that leaves the bow hanging out a bit. Not a problem unless "helpers" are involved tying up and they always pull the bow in tight. Willy's sides are much like a sailboat .. that is .. curved.
If I tie her straight fore and aft embarking is frequently done amidships over the cap rail and under the life line. I tie her straight at times for storms .. frequently w double fenders amidships.
As an aside I think water flows more naturally and easily on curved sides unless planing .. and many planing designs have mildly curved sides especially aft.
If I tie her straight fore and aft embarking is frequently done amidships over the cap rail and under the life line. I tie her straight at times for storms .. frequently w double fenders amidships.
As an aside I think water flows more naturally and easily on curved sides unless planing .. and many planing designs have mildly curved sides especially aft.
Codger2
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Messages
- 6,691
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Circuit Breaker
- Vessel Make
- 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Whether we are embarking or disembarking, as long as we are tied "starboard to" the operation is a very simple one. From the swim platform or the starboard side door, I can't emphasize enough how terribly convenient this is for us older folks. Now, if they would have put an escalator in instead of the ladder to the fly bridge, it would have been perfect!
Attachments
OP
OP
markpierce
Master and Commander
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 12,557
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Carquinez Coot
- Vessel Make
- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
What isn't seen in my photo is first angling the stern to port to counter the prop walk to starboard while in reverse.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,731
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
That's a beautiful layout, Walt. Easy access and ample space.
My boat has no side rail gate or door. I've considered cutting a transom door as it was an option from the factory, but the $4-5K price tag scared me off.
At my slip, I have dock steps that make boarding a cinch. I also carry a folding step for use away from home. Away from the steps, my boat is easiest boarded with what I call a "sit-and-spin" maneuver. Sit on the side caprail aft of the spring cleat and fwd of the aft handrail. Then lift your legs over the caprail while pivoting on your seat inboard with a hand on the pilothouse teak handles. It sounds tougher than it is in real life. Definitely not disabled access, though.
Leaving my slip, I just back up until I'm about 10 ft from the USCG Station Vallejo boats, spin CW with asymmetric power. Piece of cake.
I rent one half of a double slip and the slip next to me is currently unoccupied, so I have lots of room coming and going, but only one dock finger to embark and disembark the vessel.
Moonstruck
Guru
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2008
- Messages
- 8,276
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Moonstruck
- Vessel Make
- Sabre 42 Hardtop Express
Easy peasy, just step on the platform, and walk through the transom door.
Our high bulwarks/rails that make sidedeck operations so safe, can also make embarking and disembarking from a pontoon with dignity more difficult for the mature.
A fair compromise I reckon.
OTOH, disembarking from a commercial wharf or trawler jetty is always a scramble.
A fair compromise I reckon.
OTOH, disembarking from a commercial wharf or trawler jetty is always a scramble.
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
OP
markpierce
Master and Commander
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2010
- Messages
- 12,557
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Carquinez Coot
- Vessel Make
- penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Codger, side doors look/are great. We'll have to be satisfied with a step-over the gunwale.
Al, bet you're glad your berth neighbor has gone.
Al, bet you're glad your berth neighbor has gone.
River Cruiser
Guru
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
- Messages
- 1,357
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Northern Lights II
- Vessel Make
- Bayliner 3870
We always stern in, just out of the picture is a old RR aluminium step. We step down off the dock on to it and then down to the swim platform and through the transom door. This makes it very easy to get the pups off for daily walks. There are steps on both sides of the cockpit to step up on the gunnel and then on to the dock if we need to get on and off on the side.
Sent from my iPad using Trawler Forum
