[Public-list] Boarding Ladders

Thu Mar 30 06:54:23 PST 2006

Roger - how about a dead-man switch on the autopilot?
 You carry a transmitter to the autopilot. When it's out of range or you
press the panic button, it puts the rudder hard over to port.  There are
systems proposed (and patented) that will cut off a powerboat engine
this way, but I don't know of any are in production. It  probably
wouldn't be difficult to modify an existing autopilot.

Mike

Michael J. Meinhold / SAIC
2111 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 303, Alexandria, VA 22314
703 842 2606 / michael.j.meinhold at saic.com

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Roger L Kingsland
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:35 AM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Boarding Ladders

Rod writing, "Hopefully non of us has to use the ladder to get back on
board 
in an emergency, but this is a good safety feature as well....."  rouses

safety musings:

Years ago, I remember reading an article in one of the mags (maybe I
just 
dreamed it) about a large sailboat found in the doldrums in perfect
shape 
with sails up and nobody on board.  Only thing out of the ordinary was 
scratch marks on the hull.  Speculation was, in the heat of the day, 
everyone spontaneously decided to take a group swim the freeboard was
high 
enough that no one could get back on board.  If its true, a 
from-the-water-releasable boarding ladder would have saved the day.

I wonder if, when singlehanding under self steering or autopilot, there
is 
any way to stop progress of the boat if you fall overboard.  The
wireless 
remotes for the autopilots seem to have limited range.  Probably
because, 
duh, they think you will actually be using them wile on the boat.  I
suppose 
one could tow a line that, when pulled, interrupted forward progress.
That 
assumes the fish aren't practical jokesters (hey, Charlie, let's make
that 
sailboat stop again) and the line is long enough that one has time to
swim 
to it before the old barkey sails over the horizon.

I guess wearing the safety harness while on deck is the best technique.
Has 
anyone actually fallen overboard wearing one?  I picture myself dangling

from the harness in an awkward, mouth open facing forward, position
between 
the hull and the deep blue sea trying to figure out how to get back on
board 
before I scoop up too much water.

Roger

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rod Symmes" <harmony at aztec-net.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Boarding Ladders

>A valuable feature that I wasn't aware of until after I had purchased
and 
>installed my boarding ladder............
> Hopefully non of us has to use the ladder to get back on board in an 
> emergency, but this is a good safety feature as well.....
>
> SPINDRIFT   swings on a mooring in front of our cottage and while
cooling 
> off with a swim, I often want to climb aboard to tinker or sun bath.
So 
> the most important feature to me is to be able to lower the ladder
myself 
> from the water and also be able to swing it back up and secure it,
from 
> the water when I am ready to swim ashore.
> Just remember.....there may not be someone on board to lower the
ladder 
> for you when you need it.
>
> Cheers,    Rod
>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Dave Terrell
>  To: public-list at alberg30.org
>  Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 5:10 PM
>  Subject: [Public-list] Boarding Ladders
>
>
>  I am intereted in finding out what sort of boarding ladders are in
use
>  in the group? Tansom vs side ladders? What are the plusses and
minuses
>  of each type? Recommendations for really good ladders? Warings for
bad
>  ones?
>
>  In particular,I am interested in the removable transom ladder sold by
>  westmarine (P. 630) in the 2006 catalogue. I remember that this
ladder
>  was mentioned several years ago, but I do not know if the dicussion
is
>  still avaliable. In any case a lot of water has gone under the dam
since
>  that discussion.
>
>  I realise that this query is part specific and part fishing
expedition.
>  Any contributions would be most appreciated. In case you wonder, my
>  current ladder is a rather inexpensive, lightweight ladder I
purchased
>  from Defender.
>
>  Thanks for any and all insights
>
>  David, Talisman, # 432
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