It Can Happen To You Too

[Swede]

He said it was a Bowfin - got off not that he was too disappointed

[Swede]

I thought I'd bring this post back up as I had my family in town for a visit and had them out tubing behind the bass boat.  Bought a bridal harness to connect to the tie down rings on back as well as a tow rope.  All of us had fun for a few hours and the time in the water also allowed me to test out a couple of the ways discussed here for reboarding your boat if you fall overboard.

1) Started with a rope hung over the side.  Tied a loop in it to act as a stirrup.  Thought this would be a fairly easy way to reboard, but found it tough going as my foot in the rope would push up under the boat.  I could not board using this method.

2) Next tied a rope across the back of the boat from cleat to cleat.  Used the skeg of the motor to stand on and the rope/rear seat post to pull myself on board.  This was found to be the most effective method for reboarding. (I don't have a ladder)

3) Sat on the back of the motor and attemoted trim myself up.  This method was tougher than I thought it would be as well.  Found that the water supported my 300 pound frame but once I began leaving the water it was tough getting off the motor and into the boat.

So - I now know that I will be using the skeg (2) above for my reboard should I fall overboard.  Very good practice and recommended to all so you too know how you will handle this potentially life threatening situation.

[pawpaw]

    Swede, thinks for bringing this topic back. I am a little past my prime and a little overweight     so I have given it a lot of thought the last few years. One good thing about wearing the Sospenders, it saves me a lot of time in tournaments. I allways figured it would be easy to stand on the motor and use it to lift yourself  into the boat. Now I think I need to try it out or look for another method.

[Wildcat26]

I also have fallen in a number of times, once while WOT but thats another story. Last weekend I took my teenage granddaugher tubing so I decided to have her try the climb up the motor method, a test for the next time I fell in.  She  found it is a lot easier if the engine is turned all the way to one side then climb on the side of the engine closest to the boat.  With the motor straight it was very hard to climb around it to the boat.

[Glasstream15]

My boat sits fairly low. I still couldn't get in without help so I installed a large handgrip on the rear deck where it's easy to reach from the water. Step on the cav plate and then get aboard. I tried it with long pants and a jacket and no way. So I bolted a step to the transom in position to step from the cav plate to the step and fall right on in. Of course, those who know my boat are aware of the fact that it is NOT a pristine, shiny jewel but is often, and derisively, refered to as the Magic Carpet Ride. But I know I can get in under just about any conditions I can imagine as long as I am still concious.

This is definitely a subject that needs to be brought up and rehashed about every 6 months or so.

[spetro]

hello gainso

[Fshnbudy01]

Well I accidentally kicked my favorite rod over the side (15 FOW) in a fishing tourney last month.  I made a split second decision to go in after it instead of lose it.  The water temp was 60F and the air temp was in the 50's. I have a skeeter ZX 185 with a 150 Yamaha.  After I got over the shock of hitting the water I went to the back of the skeeter and put my foot on the engine skeg.   I had my partner trim up the motor till I could flop onto the Spontoon (Back of the boat that sticks out).  Seemed to work pretty well.     If my partner had not been there I think I could have used the trim control located on the motor, but it would have been more difficult since I was wet, slippery, and bear hugging the motor cowling. 

Luckily I had and extra jacket and towels along.  Without them I would have had to quit the tourney.     

[showy03]

Great info....Just remember to always have some spare clothes in the boat. I fell into 55 degree water last Feb trying to land a fish. The whole key to getting back into that boat for me was just staying calm. Once aboard...after I'd already stripped down naked I discovered that in my hurry to pack the boat the night before that I didn't put my bag of spare drawers and such into the rod locker. I fished the rest of the tourney in a rain suit and bare feet...Thankfully the air temp was in the 60's...the funny part of all this was after I realized I didn't have any clothes I proceeded to throw a fit on the deck of the boat (in all my glory) after I calmed down and put my bibs on I noticed that there was a elderly couple sitting on their back porch having coffee that had just watched the whole thing...So, I waved and all the guy could do was shake his head and chuckle.

[Glasstream15]

I pack spare clothes and towels in a "Space Bag". Vacum it down and it takes up a lot less space and guarenteed waterproof.

[Keithscatch]

Great info. I fell into the Stick Marsh one day I was fishing with a lady friend. The fact I survived the stumps was a miracle enough as I was fishing in an area that is loaded with baseball bat thick stumps that look like they have been sharpened by a large pencil sharpener

I did sort of panic as there are really large Gators in the Stick Marsh and I didn't want to be on the lunch menu that day. I was unable to pull myself into my boat. I was not wearing a vest and I swam to the back of the boat and was also unable to stand on the cavitation plate and trim myself up. I would just slip right off the plate. If I had not had my lady friend in the boat with me I would maybe not been able to get in the boat and that would have been real bad.

I like that little step idea that bolts onto the jack plate. I will have to check into that.

[Chrestliner-1600]

This is a very good topic ,my wife and I got a new boat last spring (our first boat ) I have been fishing all of my life first year for my wife.  I showed her how to start and run the boat (made her do it ) she was against it at first .Until seeing this post I never thought about how to get back in the boat had we falling in , When it comes time for fishing here , the first thing we will be doing is is going over what has been said in this post .
Thank you for all the ideas .
Kevin & Donna

[Swede]

The water is not yet warm folks - ensure you have a spare (dry) set of clothes in the boat before heading out for the day.  If you need them - you'll be glad you had them along.  When the water does warm up - please take the time to jump on in and practice reboarding your vessel.  Don't let that accident be the first time you attempt reboard.  You may find you need additional safety equipment on board to reboard successfully.  The time to find that out is sooner than later.

[Glasstream15]

What Swede said and get a "Space Bag" and put clothes and towels in it. Then vacumn it down to a nice size to store. Everything in it will stay clean and dry.

[fishinfranklin]

I was at walmart here local and noticed they are now carrying atwood rope boarding ladders, with about 3 steps on it ,That hook around the clet, I know this thread is old but like someone esle said it needs to be brought back up from time to time,, this can happen to any of us, it has to me before,,

[spetro]

boat safety never grows old fishinwithfranklin...good job

[Wildcat26]

This week I installed a two step ladder that slides up and down to the jack plate. I will try it out this weekend.

[NRG]

This has happened to me more than a few times, most of the time was in warm water, twice happen in 30 degree weather, and mid 30's degree water.
I had life jacket on once the other time did not.. the life jacket at the time saved me, but also hindered me from getting back in the boat.
I took off the life jacket, and was also wearing a thinsulate jump suit, had to peel it off the water logged suit was pulling me down, I happened to have left the rope ladder on the deck after I pulled some more hand warmers out of the back box. If I hadnt I wouldn't be here today.
My wife always bugs me to carry extra clothes, and a thermal blanket in the winter .. Id never admit it to her .. but for once she was right lol.. Her insisting this also kept me alive until I get could get back to the truck my teeth were chattering so bad almost cracked a tooth.
Thank You honey 

SO after that I always pack a couple blankets dry clothes, and hand warmers, and leave my rope ladder on the deck at all times when winter or cool water fishing.
And is best to go with a partner when cold water fishing , of course I rarely have anyone to go with so .. for me that aint much of an option

[Glasstream15]

NRG, I really hope a lot of people will read your post. Lots of VERY GOOD lessons.

And very glad you made it.

[E5Zero]

I am fairly new over here on UB, but felt like I could share a bit on this topic.  Earlier this year I bought a 2008 Nitro Z-7 and had an e-ladder installed on the jackplate.  While camping in Arkansas this summer I decided to give it a try.  With the daughter's fiance holding the front of the boat in about 5 feet of water, I bailed off and went to the back in around 8-9 feet or so, deep enough that at 6'4 I could not touch.  I tried several times to climb back in but was unable to do so.  I had the fiance give it a try, 22 years old, 6'5 around 270 and he could not get back in.  I am 52, and weigh around 265, two back surgeries, overall normal fisherman shape (!).  I am still concerned about this, but a couple of the ideas involving a rope will be tried soon.   Not that I am going to jump in to try it, but there is nothing to hold on to.  The e-ladder is nice, but also does not seem to drop down for enough to get a foot on and have leverage to pull up.  Thanks for your ideas.

[Mike Cork]

E5Zero thanks for sharing and please let us know how your rope idea turns out.