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!!!