If I may chime in. Ladders do work to get into a small boat, the world knows this. However one must ask other than a calm day out for a swim when would I need a ladder to get back in? When conditions are challenging (windy) causing a capsize. Then its another matter all together.
Many experienced small boat sailors know this is a very different scenario. Respectfully I believe Roger is spot in in his statement. In wind if you try to go up over the transom all bets are off. I fancy myself as a physically fit person and know I would be in trouble with a transom ladder in conditions that caused a capsize. The boat, any small boat I am trying to re-enter will turn down wind and start sailing even if the sheet is not cleated. If it begins to sail then getting up on the ladder will be very difficult due to drag on my torso and legs this makes for a very difficult task and potential to drop back in the water and if I drop back in and lose my grip the boat will get away. This is not conjecture or guess, this is experience speaking.
I have sailed Mirror Dinghies for many years and know the transom is how you get back in. However the Mirror is a vastly different boat than a SCAMP as it has a very low transom (no ladder needed) thus the transom is the way to re-enter. It works because the boats freeboard is so low. SCAMP is very high aft and this means the sailor will have to get his/her weight up high as they come in while the boat is turning and sailing off down wind, or will possibly capsize again, scary stuff.
I'll do my best to write up a short description today.........I say this here at 6am knowing full well I have a boat building class about to begin day two and that means another 12-16 hour day. I will try though as this is an important topic for the approximate 300 SCAMP plans and kit builders worldwide.
So Fred don't give up your ladder but please incorporate a means for reliable re-entry when conditions have caused the need for it.
Best,
howard
fred4win wrote:Yes Howard.... you have me all ears and eyes as well as Ken...I will be watching for this to be posted asap...Like many other things that we talk about I am a person of doing it now rather than later....It sounds so very interesting...I am always on the look out for improvement....
Roger I don't agree with your statement. The ladder I built works while the boat is still on the trailer due to the typhoons here I have been unable to test it in the water. If built correctly it works.... why are so many sold if it did not work. I can climb back up on it so much more easier that the rope and slide right in like a snake....can't do that with a rope.
Roger you claim they don't work ( ladders)... but neither does the rope boarding ladders work for some. We still need improvements and for me it works better than the rope...and so far the only way that I can get back in....soon I hope to post pictures of it in the water with me climbing on the boat so you can be a believer. Look below if you think it does not work. Can you throw your left leg up there after making one more step up on the ladder?...Well of course you could.
That is a great Scenario about the boat turning in the wind and sailing away and it may well be true... but if the rope can't help you get in what else is there ...let me tell you if I get a hand on that ladder I will get in no mater how much wind is blowing or how fast the boat wants to sail away...I am not planing to give my ladder up yet. Howard it's your play now....We are all Curious.
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