Boarding a dinghy from the water.

[rigpigpaul]

Hi All, just bought a 3.2m rib. I intend using it for some snorkelling but how do I get back into the dinghy. I assume a ladder is what I need. I want something that is rigid not a rope ladder. It has to be user friendly because my wife and I are not as nimble as we used to be. Any tips, advice welcome. RPP

 

[TQA]

I manage with a rope ladder and a knotted rope coming from the other side. This despite being 68 and portly.

The knotted rope is essential.

The ladder is tied to the inside of the transom and is deployed over the tube. It helps if the tubes are softish.

 

[GrahamM376]

The ladder I prefer when diving is a central pole with open ended rungs each side, easy to use with fins on.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The ladder I prefer when diving is a central pole with open ended rungs each side, easy to use with fins on.

I made one like that but they tend to be quite heavy as the rungs need to be thick wall tube else they bend under the cantilever loading.

 

[KellysEye]

I cut a 2 inch thick piece of teak to about 12 inches by 8 inches, drilled a hole in each corner and fitted a looped rope each side knotted underneath. Then tied a single rope to each loop to tie to the boat stanchions. To protect the paint I cut an old fender to fit round the back and halfway up each side then used two screws each side to hold it in place. It was positioned halfway between the dinghy tube and the toe rail. I got the teak from an offcut in a boatyard, any hardwood would do or softwood if thick enough to take the heaviest person's weight.

 

[ip485]

how do I get back into the dinghy

Lose some weight.

Get fit.

Simples.

- and I do speak from experience.

 

[Hypocacculus]

how do I get back into the dinghy

Lose some weight.

Get fit.

Simples.

- and I do speak from experience.

+1 I used to scuba dive and getting back into the RIB was one of the hardest parts even when I was young and nimble. It might be best if you took it in turns to snorkel and help each other back aboard.