what do you have that will help you get back in?

I've seen a boarding ladder that bolts on to your motor mount. It has two pegs on a piece that will slide down further in the water if needed. I don't really see fishing boats with ladders bolted on the back. So I was wondering what most TFFer's have or do they just plan on to muscle them selfs back into the boat.

i don't have anything.my skeeter is a 06 and dosen't have that emergency ladder.as i continue to get older and fatter i feel i do need to add one.it is hard getting back in especialy in the winter with all the extra clothes....rick

I use the motor for a step and hand hold...it's still a pain

My BassCat Jaguar has a factory ladder mounted on it. It's great for either an emergency issue such as falling in or taking a dip on days like today to cool off. (HOT)

You can always swim to the back of the boat, stand on the motor, and use the tilt/trim to lift you in the boat...

x2

+1 use the motor as a foot hold to pull myself up on the back deck...

Although my next boat will have a boarding ladder, much easier to do it that way.

I have a fish and ski with a fold down boarding ladder on the back.

If I am by myself in water over my head I use a rope with a couple of footholds tied into it.

Never had to use other than trying it out once.

I've thought about using the motor. Just haven't tried it. And I'm not the lightest guy in the world so I don't know how much extra weight you can place on that hydrolic tilt/trim before something breaks.

This may be a funny thing to do but I thought about jumping in someday soon (while the water is warm) and then try to get back up into the boat. Kind of a practice run for that day that it does happen. Because it will happen - someday. And I'm sure you all will hear about it

I have a Gambler, so if I can't get on from the back, i don't need to fish, don't even need a ladder as low as it sits.

arms, hands, feet, legs....

I have to do the trim switch on the motor thing, unless the water is in the mid to low 50's I think that would work. If the water is 55 or less and I am fishing by myself its game over if I dont make it in the boat on the first try.

During this time of the year I jump in the lake anyway just to get wet and get some relief from the heat. I also have a ladder in the back of my boat, so no problem there.

Ride the big motor up if I'm in heavy gear. If I'm in light gear, I can get back in by pulling myself up on the port/starboard aft area.

Never hurts to practice safety. Think of it like a fire drill!!! With all the boating problems happening on the lakes now days, it is good to have a plan for the unexpected. Be Safe and Good Fishing!!!!

I have fallen completely out of the boat twice, almost out, a few more times. One time I was with my adult son and he helped me back into the boat. The other time I was alone, (thank God, it was warm or I wouldn't be here) The boat was still moving when I went out, I had to swim about 50 feet to reach the boat and I could not get back in from the side or rear, finally trimmed the motor up and stepped on the cavitation plate and was able to get back in. A re-entry plan is really a good idea, ladder would be great. s

2nd that

I have a ladder on the back of my boat, that I can climb back in with

My 08 Skeeter sx180 came with the sliding 2 peg ladder on the back by the motor. I think its a great idea having one.

The trim motor is like an elevator... Works great.

+1 and on my overpowered 35hp there is no trim.

SE Kansas grass grower

you can also take a rope and put knots in it every 12"... tie that rope to the back seat pedestal and leave it there if you are by yourself. Make the rope just long enough where it wont wrap up in your motor's steering lines. sometimes its easy to get started over the side of the boat-- but once that belly hits-- it kinda throws the brakes on... thats when the rope could come in very handy to help pull you up over the side. once the belly is over the side, the legs will plop over..

I had a boarding ladder installed on mine when I bought the boat just for that reason. My CC would be hard to climb into without it. It folds in half and I've only used it a couple times when my grandkids wanted to cool off. It was only $100 installed on the transom just left of the outboard.

This is a good thread.... I fell out of my 97 Ranger this past winter in high winds. I was by myself and the wind kept pushing the boat away from me. By the time I got to the back of the boat, I was wore slap out. Almost couldn't get back in. I used the motor as a step, but never thought about the tilt button. I about froze my you know whats off getting back to the ramp to go home!!!

My Bay Stealth has a boarding ladder...but it is a good idea to pay attention to the weight ratings.

My son and I were fishing an August striper tourney on Bridgeport, so we jumped in the water. Well...those nylon fittings did not hold my wet weight and I had to use the motor trim method to get back in the boat. I bolted through those week fittings and it has been working fine

Never had to try it with winter gear...yet...

I would not trust the rope thing unless you have tried it. Also depends on how low your boat sits in the water. On some boats it can be a lot more difficult than it sounds. Even if the rope was all the way in the water and had foot loops tied in it, it can be difficult for most. That's also assuming that you remember to throw the rope over every time you get to your destination.

I would not go fishing without a partner (especially if the water was cold) unless I was sure I had an easy way to get back in the boat and life jacket on. My boat has a ladder.

I keep an anchor line tied to one of my cleats, which I can reach from the water. If needed I can run it to another cleat on the same side of the boat and then use it as a step up.

i have a ladder on the back of mine.

My Triton X2 has a boarding ladder built in for these type of situations.

so if you go over while running, do any of you wear your kill switch cord? i am trying to use mine, but forget to hook it to my PFD or shorts before i'm underway most of the time. i know some LOVE to fish alone, but its always best to have someone with you just in case something does happen. i am light enough to get into just about any boat going over the side,back or whereever, but would reather have a ladder. stay safe.

I pull the plug and sink the boat. Once it is low enough to get in I put the plug back and swim aboard. I then start the bilge pumps and re-float the boat.

LOL!! John!

i really wouldnt feel safe fishing alone if I knew I didnt possess the strength to pull myself back in... change your diet, exercise, do so pull/push ups....

iridered- there is a remote killswitch out there on the market = whereas you wont have to unhook it. it stays with you and kills the boat when submerged or distance from unit trips it. Basschamps used to have them on thier sponsor list. they were pricey, but what convenience isnt? I just leave my jacket attached, and take the jacket off when moving from seat to deck.

I also keep mine attached to the vest. My problem is I keep the vest on with high winds or in the winter and when I get up to go up and forget to take the cord off. I'm getting better about not doing that 'cause the cord slaps me silly when it lets go.

You are assuming that you will be able to "catch" or get back to your boat. What if the wind is blowing & your boat is long gone without you..now what ? I know that I wear my PFD all the time when I'm on the water just in case I do go overboard. If the water is freezing cold...your on hurting status. Something to think about !
Roger

you can make one using 1/2" rope and some wood planks.if you are fat like me you might want to use steel planks.

The back steps molded into the transom of our Redfin work great for getting back into the boat. Never fallen out, but we use them when wading, tubing, and skiing. They sit a few inches above the water, so they're not exactly a step, but pretty easy to lift yourself onto.

This thread got me wondering what I would do. Could I get back in my boat??? I'm not a small guy. Kind of freaked me out, but then I remembered, our lakes are so low I'd just have to stand up!

I have rocket boots....

TFP

I do the same, only time my jackets gets unhooked, is when im traveling to another lake. I fish alone 90% of the time, but one good thing, im not very big and dont have problems getting back in my boat.

If I were to fall out and couldn't climb back in, I would just climb on the motor and trim it up. Going up, first floor, aft deck.

I think I'm fat enough that I would eventually float to shore somewhere...

Unfortunately, for the first time in many years of fishing, I did the "big splash" yesterday at GV while in a tournament. I was able to pull myself in from the back corner of the boat. I'm afraid in a couple more years I will have to resort to other options.......probably the stand on motor and trim 'er up thing.

I was lucky enough to only have one other boat and obviously my partner watch my gracefulness.
The spring chicken has definitely left the room. Nothing like growing older and wiser.

Okie

install an E-Ladder. Very easy to install on a jack plate or motor mount. Light weight and not in the way of anything.

i fell out on fork last yr.was with a friend,i was pushing with the paddle to get us unstuck.Well the stump broke and out i went landing on the stump that was 5 in. under the water. hurt real bad punctured my stomache but i couldnt stop laughing. people in the area laughing my friend in tears laughing so hard couldnt help me for a few minutes. funny for a while but not later lol

What time did that happen ?.... i was driving over the dam 9:45 ish and noticed that a sudden surge of water went over the dam. I thought to my self thats odd..... make sense now though.

I installed a boarding ladder on my 2003 521 Ranger and it works great.Wanted to make sure I could get back in if I fell out during high winds or winter.Worth the cost.Better to be safe than sorry.

all muscle!

I hate to say it I am 59 an been fishing long as I can rember.I have a 14ft Jon boat,na leaned over the outher night an out I went. I climed up the front

Dirty Perch, it sounds like you are lucky to be alive. We have all read stories about anglers that have died from hypothermia because of falling into cold water. You would be surprised how little effort it takes to be totally exhausted in cold water with all those clothes on.

Climb up on the lower unit, then hit the trim.

I weigh 270# and the trim on the motor works great.But if it didnt work I would be sleeping with the fishes , because I wouldnt get back in without that trick.

guys be sure you try the trim motr thing before you find out you cant do it. i tried it onmy friends new legend witht he 225 opti. my prob was getting something to hold on to on the motor. there were some vent holes but i coulndt hang on to them. im 260 but fairly strong. i can do 2 whole pullups to my chn. thats pretty good for a fat boy. anyway with all my mite ii was able to hang onmto the back of the boat and trim it up and get in but this was during the summer in shorts so it probably wouldnt have happened in the winter. just try it someday whenits warm close to shore. dont find out when its too late

also i couldnt get my arms around the motor. too dangbig