Good idea but have on the same outerwear you would have on in 30* temps. A lot different than shorts and t shirt. I would venture to say your winter wear when wet would add at least 20-25 lbs. additional weight plus your movement would be severely restricted. I've fallen out of a boat before when I bumped a stump and the boat immediately moved in the opposite direction of the way I fell. Fortunately it was summer time and I'm a good swimmer so I was able to reach and get back in the boat. You also have to take into account the panic that could occur. An unexpected fall into freezing water and you're alone with no other in sight could bring this on. And even if you have a friend with you think how difficult it would be for him to try and get you over the side of the boat with all those wet clothes on. I understand some of you just have to go especially when the only time you can go is on the weekend, just be aware that the unexpected can and will happen. Next weekend might be a better choice for all of us. I can wait.

I have posted on this in the past. if you think your going to swim to the back of your boat and ride your motor up into your boat I say that's because you have never tried to do that. It sounds good on paper but it's dang near impossible. try it this summer when your out with someone else. it's just not that easy and you will be under severe distress during the winter. just my two cents.....

I tried to use my motors trim to lift the fellow out of the water during that fork collision. didn't even budge. ended up tearing tendons in my arm pulling him up and in. something to think about Okie.

My mom has always told me, " if you ever fall in, immediately take your shoes off."

If you put a ladder on your boat (and you should) you better try it out and make sure you can get in with it. I bought and "all aboard ladder" for my boat and thought it would be perfect, it was out of the way and kinda cool looking. decided to try it out in summer.....I COULD NOT get back in the boat with it no matter how hard I tried. I'm a bigger guy but a lot of people are. If you were in shape you might be able to use it but not everyone is. I'm not bashing that brand just that style. So the next day I bought a ladder for $40 off amazon that has 5 steps and folds down and then folds back up. Looks a little goofy but its EASY to get back in the boat even when alone. I don't care how it looks, atleast I will be able to come home to my 6 year old daughter and wife if I go in. That's worth $40 and weird looks to me. If you think a rope, eladder or rope ladder will work you better try it out first and then take into account it's probably summer and you won't have my clothes on.

I�m 65 years old now. I usually fish by myself either on Fork or a big private lake. When the water started to get really cold six or eight weeks ago, I decided to fish sitting down from now until water temperatures reach back up above 65 degrees. I hate to fish sitting down, but it reduces the likelihood of me falling out of the boat and drowning in this cold lake water. I also need to get boarding ladders for my boats. As Dirty Harry would say �you got to know your limitations�.

I agree. Sounds good in theory....but....I BET ITS DAMN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE!!!


I know once, year before last, my boat drifted off while I was parking my truck. I swam out to it and couldn't get in it. I was able to get it back to a shore line where I could climb in it. What an eye opener. Since then , I never fish without my lean post up front.

as I've aged and stopped exercising I've wondered about this from time to time. In my mind if you (I) can't do a few pull ups, then we probably aren't strong enough to lift our body out of the water with nothing to step on.

I don't like that I lost my e-ladder when I added my second powerpole. I think I'll install one of these and either leave it tied to the cleat and stored in a back compartment or collapse it, wrap it with Velcro and mount it around the outboard area somewhere.



These are found by searching for "EZ boat rope ladder" or just boat rope ladder.

I've also thought about a 6-8 foot rope left tied to the cleat with a loop knot in the end of it. I think Buda mentioned it above but at least with this I've got more than one step to utilize to climb back in.

If there is someone in the boat with you and you can't get back in the boat, have them use the trolling motor to "drag" you to shallower water where you can stand up. I realize at times you're not within 1/2 mile of shallow water, but I would bet the majority of times you are well within 100 yards of 5' or less.

I had to climb back in once in a canal by Galveston bay, where I had just seen a bitten off head of a big bull red. A perfect half moon bite right behind the pec fins. Needless to say, I was in a slight panic. I didn't want Jaws to make my leg look like that redfish. I swam to the back of my boat and climbed up the motor.

Careful with those plastic ladders. I bought one for my Ranger a few years back so it would be easier for me and my family to get back in the boat if we decided to go for a swim in the summer. The ladder floated. After several attempts (diving under water to put it under my foot) I couldn't get back in the boat with it with just a pair of shorts on. Before the next trip I filled the bottom step with lead and that solved the problem.

I know this thread is about 'falling' out of the boat, but there is also 'getting thrown out of the boat'. It is ALWAYS important, but now more than ever - WEAR YOUR KILL SWITCH! Even if you simply get pitched out and are unhurt and it kills the motor, by the time the boat stops you'll likely have a 50 yard swim. And if the wind is wrong, it could start getting longer by the second. I'm in great shape, and a very good swimmer, but at 58 with a bad shoulder, I'm not sure I could make a 50 yard swim in winter clothes. Especially in 45 -50 degree water. Hope I never have to try. Think I'll slow down a little on the lake.

Buddy has one on deck boat works great even if your a fat guy.

Good thread Okie.

I have spare clothing in a plastic bag that my wife vacuum sealed. They don't take up any space. I ALWAYS WEAR MY LIFE JACKET.