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!!!

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.