Lesson Learned

[Travis Swift]

I've been watching this thread and trying to decide if I wanted to write or not.  Guess I will.  Several years ago I fe6l out of a Ranger bass boat and if I had been alone probably wouldn't have gotten back in.  I have a Tracker now and I decided I needed a ladder cause I fish alone a lot.  I'm on BassBoatCentral quite a bit and a lot of guys there suggested the All Aboard Ladder.  It seemed really attractive because it mounts using the engine bolts that are already on the boat so no drilling into the boat.   Well I put it on and a couple months went by and a couple weeks ago it was hot so I decided to try it out.  Well I was in 10 feet of water and let me tell you there was no way in hell I was getting back in the boat with that thing.  I tried everything, so my brother to his delight had to tow me to shallow water (he videoed the whole thing making fun of me).  Once in water that I could touch the bottom I could get in then.  It's a very well made product so I'm not bashing it and I'm guessing if you weren't as fat as I am you might be able to make it work.  BUT it sure opened my eyes when I couldn't get back in with nothing on but a swimsuit and a life jacket.  what would of happened if I had coveralls on and the water was 45 degrees?   So last week I bought a 4 step telescoping ladder that goes down into the water almost 4 feet.  It's not the prettiest thing in the world but I got back in the boat in about 10 seconds with very little effort this past weekend using it.  I'm confident now if I go in I'll be able to get out.   Just wanted to share my experience, I'm not bashing the All Aboard but I'm asking you to seriously consider how good of shape your in before you buy one and also if you do buy one you better practice with it.  For me I didn't mind putting a couple holes in my boat for safety's sake!  I'm going to attach the one I bought, it was only about $82 on Amazon I believe and it's extremely sturdy.  I have no dog in this fight other than my experience I thought I would share. 

[m&m]

1 hour ago, vernon said:

Mike

Oh yeah, wasn't it Harry Chapin that sang that?  Although Jim Croce had some great ballads too.  

Vernon, you are correct.  I was just testing your old school knowledge.

Mike

[vernon]

2 hours ago, vernon said:

19 minutes ago, m&m said:

Vernon, you are correct.  I was just testing your old school knowledge.

Mike

That's the first test that I've passed in a long, long time!  Thanks for tossing me a softball!

 

[vernon]

35 minutes ago, Travis Swift said:

I've been watching this thread and trying to decide if I wanted to write or not.  Guess I will.  Several years ago I fe6l out of a Ranger bass boat and if I had been alone probably wouldn't have gotten back in.  I have a Tracker now and I decided I needed a ladder cause I fish alone a lot.  I'm on BassBoatCentral quite a bit and a lot of guys there suggested the All Aboard Ladder.  It seemed really attractive because it mounts using the engine bolts that are already on the boat so no drilling into the boat.   Well I put it on and a couple months went by and a couple weeks ago it was hot so I decided to try it out.  Well I was in 10 feet of water and let me tell you there was no way in hell I was getting back in the boat with that thing.  I tried everything, so my brother to his delight had to tow me to shallow water (he videoed the whole thing making fun of me).  Once in water that I could touch the bottom I could get in then.  It's a very well made product so I'm not bashing it and I'm guessing if you weren't as fat as I am you might be able to make it work.  BUT it sure opened my eyes when I couldn't get back in with nothing on but a swimsuit and a life jacket.  what would of happened if I had coveralls on and the water was 45 degrees?   So last week I bought a 4 step telescoping ladder that goes down into the water almost 4 feet.  It's not the prettiest thing in the world but I got back in the boat in about 10 seconds with very little effort this past weekend using it.  I'm confident now if I go in I'll be able to get out.   Just wanted to share my experience, I'm not bashing the All Aboard but I'm asking you to seriously consider how good of shape your in before you buy one and also if you do buy one you better practice with it.  For me I didn't mind putting a couple holes in my boat for safety's sake!  I'm going to attach the one I bought, it was only about $82 on Amazon I believe and it's extremely sturdy.  I have no dog in this fight other than my experience I thought I would share. 

That's some really good stuff there.  Simply having a way to get back in the boat doesn't necessarily mean you will be able to take advantage of it when push comes to shove.  Thirty plus years ago I thought the climbing up the outboard method was just fine and it was.  Did it all the time.  I couldn't do that now with a cattle prod up my behind.

Regardless of what kind of ladder/method you choose to use your suggestion that people actually practice getting back in the boat while unable to touch the bottom is priceless.  

Unless you are willing to put a price on your life I guess.

Thanks for deciding to post.

[LD Fisher]

4 hours ago, m&m said:

But best of all my wife and I are friends with our children.  We actually like to be around each other.

Couldn't have said it better.  I've always said that raising kids is the hardest job in the world..................you really don't know how well you've done for 25 years or more.  I've been lucky, we've spent a lot of time on the water and I attribute that as a very important part of raising them.  It doesn't have to be water, but it helps because they can't get away from you when your in a boat.    but spending time and teaching them about the outdoors seemed to work very well for me!! 

[LD Fisher]

Good point Travis.  I've been talking to David with All Aboard Ladders about one to fit my Talon bracket.  But first and foremost, I need to be able to get back in the boat by myself or it's worthless!

[Travis Swift]

39 minutes ago, LD Fisher said:

Good point Travis.  I've been talking to David with All Aboard Ladders about one to fit my Talon bracket.  But first and foremost, I need to be able to get back in the boat by myself or I s

I saw he's working one a 3 step version that I think would be awesome.  Like I said it's a solid made product and they have good service and I know alot of people like their ladders. It just wasn't for me I would of been turtle bait if I had relied on it without trying it.

[Flysmallie]

3 hours ago, Travis Swift said:

what would of happened if I had coveralls on and the water was 45 degrees?  

It's not fun. When I was in much better shape I fell out of the boat on lake fork into that water temp wearing coveralls. Even colder air temp. It took my dad and cousin and all my strength to get back in the boat. It was a struggle. 

That 5 mile run back to the truck was probably the coldest I've ever been. 

[vernon]

On August 10, 2016 at 7:32 AM, Champ188 said:

Oh, and congrats on the new 521, Vernon. That's as good as it gets.

My baby!  The best part of getting old! 

Sorry for the self indulgence.  I couldn't help myself!

[Champ188]

Dang, Vernon. That is one fine-looking fishing machine. Dallas Cowboys colors, too. Can't beat that!