[gsp23]

Technically we still have a couple months of winter left here but I am already thinking ahead to things I can do in the spring. We live on a lake and I was thinking of getting out on the lake to do some types of sports. We have a Canoe, Bass Boat, Peddle Boat (got a trolling moter ready to rig up to the back of that already - I cant pedal it but if I turn on the trolling motor the pedals will still move so I can put my feet on them and get a little leg workout, like my homemade Stim-Master!) and I was thinking of getting a Kayak. Anyways, I was thinking the other day... how in the heck do you get into a boat? I have a dock and the bass boat normally sits on a boat lift next to it. The Peddle Boat sits on the other side of the dock and the canoe is pulled into the water as needed. I could always have my boyfriend pull the canoe into the water for me ahead of time same thing with if I get a Kayak, but I would like to try and setup a system where I can get into any of these on my own. I can practice with him around so I dont drown but anyone that can offer some tips of how you get into any type of boat would be appreciated. I am not sure if I should get my chair out on the doc, drop down and then try to get in or if its better from land, only problem from land if I get in that way is how to get the boat off the land once I'm in it.

I'm sure its a matter of figuring out a system that works for me just like getting into a vehicle but with any of these types of boats I dont even know where to start.

This post has been edited by gsp23: 12 January 2007 - 05:15 PM

[htwhlz97]

Hey girly its been a while since we've exchanged. For a large boat, what I do is get to the dock and someone transfers me in. There are too many things to take into consideration; one even if someone is holding the boat close as close as they can to the dock the boat is moving. Two you have a quit long distance down to the seat, which you might hit the egde or the rim, just above the seat. Three why take a chance you will be with someone any way, get the help on. If you kayak you shouldnt be alone anyway. Although I dont have any help for you on that one, been wanting to do it, but havent yet.

Once I'm in, depending on the terrain of the campsite I will or will not take my chair. I've done both. The areas that are just too sandy and if the site is close to the shore I will park it on a beach chair, under an umbrella half in and out of the water. That way I will stay cool and I'm able to get out and swim around then head back to the beach chair when I'm done. I hope this helps out. Take care talk with you later.

[juls]

Hey gsp23,

I just got a kayak for xmas and am having similar probs!!
I transferred into on land..my bf just wanted to pick me up and put me in it, which I didn't want as I would like to go out with other people besides him, so I have to be fairly capable of getting in and out with minimal help.

We tried a really long slideboard..but it shifted as i was going down and i missed the seat by a mile and ended up in the mud I'm sure with practise though we might be able to use the slideboard??!!

Otherwise, I'd really love to hear other suggestions as well..hopefully better then mine!!

[Radar]

juls, on Jan 12 2007, 09:37 PM, said:

Hey gsp23,

I just got a kayak for xmas and am having similar probs!!
I transferred into on land..my bf just wanted to pick me up and put me in it, which I didn't want as I would like to go out with other people besides him, so I have to be fairly capable of getting in and out with minimal help.

We tried a really long slideboard..but it shifted as i was going down and i missed the seat by a mile and ended up in the mud I'm sure with practise though we might be able to use the slideboard??!!

Otherwise, I'd really love to hear other suggestions as well..hopefully better then mine!!

I have never kayaked but it seems to be a natural for low level injuries. I have gotten into 25 foot boats, but only with help from a strong friend or more. As was said before, there are to many things that can go wrong making it dangerous to do it by yourself. You do not want to get crushed never mind drown. It can get hairy in a stiff wind too throwing your chair around. That is where I sat. It was a center console and there was not much room to move around in. A cuddy cabin is much better. Holding on to a 6 pound bonito turned out to be quite a chore for an L1 injury. I almost lost the rod more than once. I got that out of my system and probably will not do it again unless it is near a dead calm sea with no threat of wind in sight. I would have to have a special seat I could strap myself into to so I would not get tossed around. A seat on a track might work allowing you to move around.

I met a guy in Miami at Shake-A-Leg that sails alone. He also lives and sleeps in the sail boat. He has it all set up so he can do so. It has been a long time but if you ask anyone at Shake-A-Leg, I am sure they will know who you are talking about. He can give you more details unless the sea has already claimed his salty veins.

I will have to think about the kayak in and out by yourself at the shore some more. I would like to do it myself. It seems that what you need is some gizmo that will allow you to bridge the gap between the chair and the kayak. A slide board does not seem like a reliable one; particularly if it gets wet it may get too slippery on a good slope and because of the variations in the shore terrain.

What is the height of the kayak where you get in and can you push yourself on a sandy beach to the water with the paddles? If so, how far can you realistically push yourself? Will not one rock stop you on dead on your tracks. This all assumes you can get out of an unrestrained rocking kayak by yourself.

UNH has an outreach organization called North East Passages that has kayaking outings on a lake. I think they use two person kayaks. I have never gone so I cannot say much about what they do. It is my understanding that they just go low tech & use manpower.

Radar

This post has been edited by Radar: 13 January 2007 - 06:00 AM

[azx43]

Hi, everyone! Boating is a big-time activity where I'm from- everybody boats!! I kayak and actually spent a summer working as a ranger at a National Recreation Area with a lake. I guiess you could say that I'm into boating!
This is how I do it: So much depends on the type of boat, but sI've beedn on everything from 8-foot kayaks to relatively-wheelchair-accewssible deck boats. Open-bow runaboats are really nice; I just transfer onto dthe area between the seat and the windsheild (in the front), than lower mysaelf into the seat. 9 times out of 10, boating is a social activity so there will lolts of people around to help if you need it. A transfer board would probably really help to bridge the gap between your chair and the boat. Another thing that I've seen people do is transfer onto an ice chesat as a "midpoint" between their chair and the boat.
My kayak is named Pumpkin, so named becausae it is bright oirange! It's a Dagger RPM. To get in it from the shore I first sit on the ground, then boost myself (triceps, triceps!) up onto the rear of the 'yak, above the seat. I then put my legs in and skide down into the seat. Thered are several companjies out there (Stearns is my favorite) thast make inflatable kayaks, and these have lots of advantages, They are really stable and forgiving- for starters. I recently "moved up" to Pumpkin from one of those- they are NOT an overgrown beach toy, they are real boats! Kayaking's a good time, and super-accessible.

[LuckyinKentucky]

I enjoy boating quite a bit before and after SCI. So far I've only used my pontoon and JEt boat (one of those seadoo kind). The pontoon stays on the dock so after i lower it I tightly secure the front two mooring boots which leaves about a 6 inch gap between boat and dock. This can be intimidating but with a skilled wheelie it's kinda like going down a step///tip Dont look down during! AS for the jet boat it doesnt stay in the water so I usually transfer while it's on the trailer. I just throw a towel or life vest on the side of the boat and transfer onto it and then slide down in...this boat doesnt allow my chair to ride... besides with the G's encountered when Jet boatin I'd prob just watch my chair get catapaulted into the drink if I tried to take it. I have transfered to the jet boat a few times from dock and have found the two point transfer using a life vest for the mid point cushion is easiest///moor-moor-moor//. If your boat is on a lift dont rule out the idea of transferring before it is lowered; even when securely moored the boat can still slightly move. Sorry about being so lengthy but I hope some of this helps.

[Texaswheelz]

I think others have covered most of the ways, it really all depends on the boat and your strength and ability to transfer. I've been in bass boats, pontoon's, ski boats...pretty much all kinds. From the docks are normally the easiest, but that also depends on the shore. Getting into a pontoon can be easy for the shore if you can roll down to the front of it. Most have a gate that opens in the front and you can just jump in through it and then skoot to a seat.

Other boats I usually get down on the dock and then skoot/transfer into, either onto a seat, side of boat, ice chest. Be sure to get some water on the area first if it has been in the sun and is real hot.

[essexscipilot]

Quote

How Do You Get Into A Boat?

From past experances i'd say VERY CARFULLY