I watched as a passenger was dragged through about .6 of a mile of cold New Hampshire water. Though big and chubby, upon crashing ashore, she couldn't lift herself from her position from a wooden race-scow sailboat.Howdy
83?! Awesome! One suggestion I saw recently from an experienced Masters racer was to remove the PFD to make it easier to slide back on board. I have mixed feelings about that. You might try swinging a leg up, hooking a foot on the coaming and rolling onboard, use your core vs depending totally on upper body. Might also be able to reach and grab the mast to swing aboard, saw the Father In Law do that around age 74. Another was at one point to
abandon trying to get back on board but hold onto the rudder/bridle/sheet and sail back to shore or shallow water, dragging behind the boat. I'll send the Skipper out to test all these theories laterCheers Kent and Skipper
If you have an inspection port at the stern, you could keep a stirrup ( ⌂ ) on a length of line stored inside—as a step-up aid. A couple of Harken™ handholds would help slide across a wet deck. APS has them.I would put a hiking strap in, it would be a shorter reach to grab or as pointed out before, climb over the stern.
Hey Serpant! More power to you my friend but I'm afraid you're going to have to find a way to strengthen your arms & shoulders. You've got to be able to reach the near side cockpit edge and pull while & sliding yourself aboard. Has to happen pretty quickly, too, or the boat will have a tendency to roll over on you. Make sure the bow is pointed into the wind. If you're agile enough you can angle the boat to get yourself on the upwind side and use the wind to help you lever on board. Keep on truckin'!