I just purchased a BassCat Cougar that has power poles installed. After a mishap at the boat ramp last weekend I found myself having to swim out and retrieve my boat from the middle of the cove.
Well I had a kid on a jet ski nice enough to drag me to the boat, when I got to the boat I thanked him and he went on his way. Then I tried to get by big butt into the boat. With the power poles you can't use the motor to climb in so I was swimming around the boat like a fool trying to figure out how to get it. I ended up towing the boat ( by swimming ) to the bank and then climbing in.
Since i have the poles, it looks as if the e-ladder is out of the question since it mounts to the jack plate.
I'm not sure if the fold up ones will work either due to the poles.
What have others done in this situation?

Thanks,

Heard the best way without a ladder is get directly behind the motor then use the tilt button on the motor to tilt you and the motor up to near horizontal then shimmy over motor into the boat. Haven't had to try it but sounds doable.

I haven't had your problem but my boat always has a rope tied to the bow eye on my boat for docking. I would swim to the side it was on and tie a loop in it a few feet down and use that as a step. Between that lifting my weight, I should be able to pull myself in. A tall boat might need to tie a couple of loops.

I have used the big motor to trim myself up and I weigh 260 so it works. No further comment.

Be glad it wasn't cold. Should give consideration to adding a ladder in case of tumbling overboard in the winter.

I think all boats should come with a ladder for safety reasons! I dont have one but i did test myself while wife was in the boat and i had a vest on. I used the trim on my motor as stated above and it works. I weigh 275. I cant seem to find a slim ladder for my nitro 640 lx 98 year. If anyone has let me know.

Well, it happened to me tonight. Got to moving around on the front deck reaching for a light and over I went. The water was cold. Unfortunately, I do not tilt/trim. No life vest on so I realized that tying a loop in the rope wasn't as easy as it sounded. After a few minutes hanging on to the side and trying to get over the shock, I decided that it was easier just to swim the boat to shore and get back in. Going to buy a ladder before my next trip out!

Luckily, it was night and the closest boat was too far away to see what was going on but I bet it sounded like I had just caught Moby Dick! Really glad that there will be no youtube highlights!

Lmbo!!! Glad your OK though.

Fun n sun has some used ladders like skeeter installs on the jack plates, we put one on my zx 185 I just had to buy the l bracket and pulled 2 bolts from the left side of the motor mount and installed the bracket and step then reinstalled the 2 motor bolts.

On their newer center consoles Sportsman has this neat small ladder on the back. It's a single pole with steps on each side.

If you have a Bobs Machine shop one they make this http://www.bobsmachine.com/Bobs-Boarding-Ladder-45x-xxxxxx.htm

First, let me qualify this procedure. If you are limited in movement in ANY way, it will NOT work. I have tried and talked to several other older boaters. Did not work for them. Granted, a good permanently mounted boarding ladder may not be cheap BUT, do not get cheap when it comes to the possibility of saving your life!
Get a good quality 3 or preferably 4 step ladder. Remembering, you may be alone or the water temperature may be cold enough to produce hypothermia. You have literally moments to save your life.
Also, IMO, get a ladder with at least one grab rail, two is even better. May not be really 'fashionable' looking but hey, I don't take any chances when it comes to saving my life in an emergency.
'Riding' the big motor will lift you up out of the water BUT, can you make the transition from the motor to the boat? I couldn't, but I have a bad back. I spoke with others, same problems, age, impairment i.e., back/knee's/etc.
Don't save on safety equipment.
Just my two cents.....
God Bless

Very well said Lee. I agree.

So, still no boarding ladder solution when you have power poles mounted to the jack plate? The Skeeter I just bought has a handle on the back of the boat, but no ladder due to the poles. I need to figure out something that will work. Any other ideas out there?

I have a solution. I offer a Jackplate mounted ladder. If have have power poles the transom backet offers more clearance and works well. The name of the ladder is The All Aboard Ladder and I'm offering free shipping right now. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Thanks David Hahn