Mother on board...

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stranded

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... well maybe. My mum is very keen to come sailing with us when we are down west later in the summer. We would love that but I am trying to figure out a way to get her safely in and out the dinghy so we are not confined to marinas. She's ok walking but things have got a bit twisted in latter years so she's a bit stiff and would I think struggle to keep her balance stepping across. She is up for a laugh though so Thinking maybe bosuns chair on the end of the boom. Any better ideas? We've got great steps at the back so she could be stepping across rather than down, but still think it too wobbly and she would be better being landed already sitting! Mark
 
ohmaggie said:
... well maybe. My mum is very keen to come sailing with us when we are down west later in the summer. We would love that but I am trying to figure out a way to get her safely in and out the dinghy so we are not confined to marinas. She's ok walking but things have got a bit twisted in latter years so she's a bit stiff and would I think struggle to keep her balance stepping across. She is up for a laugh though so Thinking maybe bosuns chair on the end of the boom. Any better ideas? We've got great steps at the back so she could be stepping across rather than down, but still think it too wobbly and she would be better being landed already sitting! Mark
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While in principle what you outline might be possible, consider first how many crew you'll need to do it safely; one in the dinghy receiving/delivering, one on the toppinglift and halyard and one controlling the boom. If there is any movement in the anchorage you're likely to need 2 on the boom. Can you muster at least 3 crew? It's advisable to test whatever arrangement you come up with in the confines of a marina to allow wrinkles to be ironed out of the procedure.
 
Yes, we should have 3 able bodied crew on board at all relevant times. Good idea to practice while it's flat though. Otherwise she's a strong (and hardy) swimmer - maybe we should just get a ladder for the dinghy and let her swim to it - at least away from hard bits, and ahell only come if the weather looks promising.
 
It depends on the shape of your stern, but I've arranged a very stable stepping-aboard before by running the nose of the dinghy right up the back of the boat so that it's resting on the platform. I left the outboard running slowly ahead to hold it there as my passenger stepped aboard.

Inflatable dinghies only, obviously :)

Pete
 
If she is basically ok with manoeuvrability but you have concerns re her falling overboard then why not get her to wear a proper lifejacket with crutch straps in the dinghy then attach a suitable halyard to the lifejacket. Then take up the slack around a suitable winch as she steps onto the stern platform. Same approach as someone taking the slack on a safety line when going up the mast.
 
Are you being fair?

Lovely idea to take mum along for a cruise but I think that to shun marinas is a bit harsh on anyone who has mobility issues. I know that the romance of a secluded anchorage beats the car park for views and is cheaper but is the getting on and off the boat going to be a confidence killer for an older person? possibly spoiling the holiday.
Surely, get the views during the day, anchor for lunch in the beauty spots but if intending to spend evenings ashore the marina's convenience is probably the better solution.
Alternatively, I don't know the South West but I wonder if opportunities exist as here on the East Coast for short term deals for lunch / sightseeing visits where you spend only a nominal fee for a 2-3 hour stopover? Mum then walks ashore has a break from the boat and if confined to the boat for an evening it would probably be fine with her.
 
Plan "B"

I think from your description of your mother that merely the use of a really solid boarding ladder held firmly in place and with wide treads would suffice. Anything in this link seem practicable?
Sorry link not working, Just Google "Wooden boarding ladder"
Placed near the shrouds so there is a good handhold and even better with a gate in the lifeline ( or release them ) This would also help in a marina with high topsides and a low finger pontoon.
 
The boarding ladder does give me pause for thought. I have only ever boarded a dinghy from a swim platform at the stern, which means whichever way you angle it, the first encounter is with the 'rim'. But I guess amidships with a ladder she would be stepping down into the sole of the dinghy with much less tipping force? (I do suspect the marina option will win but i don't want to give into her age and neither does she!)
 
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