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