Howard's system avoids most of the problem of the stirrup going under the hull. It is slick and requires some practice and it is a rolling motion into the cockpit over the lee rail. (As I noted before lifelines cannot be present). IMO the system will work better on the M15 as the boat will roll more as the weight goes into the stirrup. A bit off this topic but a reminder to all - For those that receive the group's emails as a Digest (aka, a daily or weekly all-in-one with all email list activity) please when replying edit your Subject Line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of montgomery_boats digest...". It is also polite to remove all the unrelated topics and replies that come in the daily or weekly digest (depending on how you receive the email). This makes your response clear, concise and a smaller data packet v. page/screen upon page/screen of unrelated data/comments. :: Dave Scobie :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com :: former owner M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: former owner M15 #288 SCRED - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred/ On Thu, Dec 3, 2020, 8:27 PM John Schinnerer via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
True about drag in the water turning the boat off the wind, with a stern ladder. Hadn't thought about that, I use mine just for swimming so far, haven't gone overboard except intentionally, so far.
But it's at least a plan A, or maybe plan B, if I had a stirrup device of some sort as plan A.
Actually, plan A is to not go overboard!
A stirrup loop is used with kayak rescues, to help someone with low agility, or low upper body strength, or fatigued from immersion, etc. re-enter their boat when rescuing them.
But it has the same issues mentioned below, feet go under the boat, pushing anything close to straight up on it is still difficult.
It is better than no stirrup, in a bad situation, but still limited help for someone with poor physical conditioning.
cheers, John
On 12/3/20 3:27 PM, Lawrence Winiarski via montgomery_boats wrote:
Hmmm each to his own.....I swim off my m15 occasionally. Sure like the ladder. I put it on after trying to climb in over the side. It's a lot harder than it looks as your feet tend to slide under the boat. Notice that the "expert" didn't look very graceful either Try it first without strap (make sure you have a helper nearby). I suppose the strap helps and is better than no-strap but I am dubiousof it being anywhere near as easy or as safe as a ladder which makes climbing in a much more dignified experience.
On Thursday, December 3, 2020, 2:12:34 PM PST, Jon Barber < brbrbarber@gmail.com> wrote:
Copy that. Never liked the idea of a stern mounted boarding ladder. The backstay is right in the way. When I sailed with the Nor Cal Potters Bay Area Messabout I devised a similar reentry sling in my 17. I used orange ratchet straps minus the ratchet and hung them from the perforated aluminum sheet rail older Monty17's have. I made two loops on each side, gathering them loosely with zip ties. I was able to test them with the boat on the trailer to determine how low they should hang. I didn't need to try them in earnest, thankfully. I now tether up whenever I sail. An aside on the same subject. I had dog tags made, one side has my name and address, the other my wife's name and phone number. Just in case.
Jon Barber Monty17 Ol'44