glad you made it okay and good lessons indeed

I added a rope step ladder to my boat arsenal a couple of years ago and attach it to a cleat when I fish by myself. It lays on the rear deck, where I could reach it from the water to deploy it, if I should fall in and would allow me to climb back in. Not 80 yet but am 64 and my days of hoisting myself back in are long gone.

And falling out when the water temp is below 60 makes that problem much worse. Loss of strength occurs quickly. Glad to read a happy ending. Good reminder for the rest of us. Even if there is someone else in the boat, trying to pull someone in the boat for us older guys is about useless.

I am so happy this story had a happy ending. This is a good reminder for me, since I fish alone more often than not and my Nauticstar doesn't have a boarding ladder. I need to look into finding one, and/or try getting onboard from the water. I'll test this next time I have someone with me, just in case I need help getting in. I am getting older and larger as I age, both are not good when it comes to getting back onboard alone.

Where did you get this rope ladder? I would like to add one to my boat.

Believe I ordered from Amazon but most marine supply companies carry them. Sea Sense Boat Ladder

I hooked it on one of the front boat cleats for the pic but typically it lays on the back deck when I am fishing alone

Here's something that I learned up in Alaska. Get on the outboard and use the tilt switch on the motor to raise yourself up to where you can crawl over the motor into the boat.

Glad you are OK. The main reason some of us seniors cannot fish solo !

I have decided to buy me a rope ladder for the boat. I have a ladde on the boat but my Splasher prop is secured to the ladder. I could take it off in an emergency but if I am by myself, which I like to do sometimes for the peace and quiet, the rope ladder is a great idea.

Rope ladders: Make sure you test them. When I tried to climb the rope ladder I made, my feet went under the boat and almost all my strength with arms and legs was exerted in a lateral direction, and I still could not get in.

Mine could actually be looped around the rear seat pedestal and hang over the side when needed.
Will definitely try it out this summer though when I have someone in the boat with me. That way I know for sure when/if an emergency should arise

Good to hear that you came out of that unscathed, someone was watching over you. At least you had the presence of mind to put on a life jacket, so it wasn't all a loss of presence of mind. Hope you have many blessed days of fishing.

this has been my experience with rope ladders as shown above

Outstanding! Would have never thought it...Bravo

Glad you’re ok Dennis. Thanks for sharing. We missed you this weekend at Livingston!

Oh wow DC!!!