An Engineering Delema.

[hlb]

SWMBO's Mother 84. Has voiced her wish to visit the boat.

Now it does not have a transom door or anything like that and the side deck, our normal entrance, is about three feet up from the pontoon. We have some small steps, which we can put on the pontoon, but fear it may not be enough.

Of course theres the boat hoist, but this seems a bit over the top. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, she's quite heavy, so lifting here is not really on.

 

[NorthUp]

Flood the bilges sufficiently to equalise deck level with the pontoon, once she is aboard, pump bilges out.
Repeat process to disembark. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[carlton]

Buy/borrow taller steps - and hang on to the old dear whilst she climbs them.

 

[hlb]

Did that once, not on perpose though, it cost a fortune. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[sarabande]

Using any form of step ladder presents a difficulty in that MIL has to do a 90 degree turn at the top to step on board, and this tends to push the steps away from MF.

Something like this

http://www.ladderstore.com/double-sided-stock-order-picking-steps-p-1552.html

in the 5 step version ? Could be used for non-boat purposes too.

Perhaps used unfolded against MF's side so that MIL can step straight on board ?

 

[carlton]

£150 for the M.I.L. to 'step' aboard ? I should cocoa!

Next thing you know, Haydn'll be pretending to be ill to avoid having to.......er.....hang on a minute... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Isn't there a quayside around somewhere nearby that's around 3' above sea level at some state of tide? Becomes a bit logistical but it sounds safer for an 84 year-old than steps on a floating pontoon??

 

[hlb]

So far I have devised. Removing the cockpit cover, it never used to be on in the summer, till the last two years. With aid from neighbours cleat, strap MF to the pontoon, whilst replacing fender with horse shoe life belt thingy, as much thinner. Face steps towards MF, there fore no need to turn. Maybe need to move to bigger along side pontoon, for ease.

Course theres always air sea rescue, if this dont work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hlb]

That might not be as daft as it sounds. Conwy HM fuel pontoon looks Quite high, but only any good near high water. Can anyone confirm.??

 

[Divemaster1]

Trouble would be to get off again of course.... that may take 24 hrs....

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DAKA]

I think a Zip wire is the answer Haydn, Run a line straight from the car park to your radar arch, you might want to wait for low tide to get a nice gradient on the wire.
Keep it taught give her a good push and she will land straight of the Flybridge , saves all the trouble with the steps /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

If you cant get enough gradient on the Zip wire you could employ a wheel chair , get her to hold on to a rope as you tow her through the marina car park, you turn off and she lets go at the quayside using the sling shot effect , if she hasnt done much water skiing recently , you might want to show her a video or two so she gets the idea.

Once installed on the flybridge you can all enjoy a cruise through the harbour, of course after 10 mins of enjoyment together with the Mother in law you might decide to helm from downstairs /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Dont forget to remove the zip wire before you cast off /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Pendana]

1 Find a suitable plank or fender board and lay on pontoon.
2 Place a well inflated fender under plank to act as fulcrum.
3 Place M.I.L. on lower end of plank.
4 Geronimo type jump from flybridge onto raised bit of plank.
5 M.I.L now on board.

Might have to try a few times to get the tragectory right! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You didn't expect serious replys did you!!

Eddie

 

[lenseman]

[ QUOTE ]
Course there's always air sea rescue, if this don't work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
As you have already thought about the 'Big Yellow Budgie', I think I have come up with the ultimate solution.

Use a Zorbing ball and deflate it once on board to let her out? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[lenseman]

Mine always IS a serious reply! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

My MIL is not as elderly but has 2 x replaced hips and is not too mobile. Combination of steps and a careful selection of bank height. Consultation with lock keeper resulted in an offer on holding the boat at the right height in the lock if need be, do you have a nearby lock and friendly keeper?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

How about lowering the tender, bunging her in and lifting it on the davits to transom level where she can scramble onto the cockpit seats with a bit of help?
Can't you park the boat next to a quay which is at deck level so that she can walk on to the deck easily?

 

[hlb]

I know it sounds funny, but it is a serious question.

Is said above, no suitable walls or locks. Just maybe the fuel pontoon in Conwy, which looks quite high from s distance. Anybody know??
Mind, needs tide right for there, so that would mean a day when the weathers right and also the tide, coinciding with MIL health and..........

 

[coliholic]

Couldn't you hire some sort of crane or person lifter from the likes of HSS or someone similar? Or lash up some sort of cantilever lifting gantry off the boom or mast of a neighbouring raggie boat something. Or of course you could fit a decent passarelle, that'd do the job surely?

Failing that a collection of upside down beer crates lashed together using cable ties to form a crude (but safe) set of steps would probably be the cheapskates way out /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KevB]

How about a couple of trolley jacks with a plank of wood tied across them. You'll have to pump them up in unison of course..

 

[KevB]

Found it

Scissor table