How to get back in boat.

[Bass Turd]

I have an older fiberglass boat that doesn't have a ladder or step to help me get back in if I fall out. The only solution I have come up with is attaching a "swim stirrup" to the boat inside above the transom. The rope can remain coiled up by the outboard but I can still reach it from in the water. Does anyone have any other ideas?

[Al Wolbach]

I have never tried this but I have been told to climb onto the outboard and use the power trim to raise you out of the water then play monkey into the boat. Can't say for sure, lol. Of course this would only work if you have power trim.

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, Al Wolbach said:

I have never tried this but I have been told to climb onto the outboard and use the power trim to raise you out of the water then play monkey into the boat. Can't say for sure, lol. Of course this would only work if you have power trim.

This or attach a ladder

[WIGuide]

Just buy a swim ladder for it. They come in all sorts of styles now even some that attach to your mounting bolts for your outboard that fold down if you need them. 

[Fishing Rhino]

2 hours ago, Al Wolbach said:

I have never tried this but I have been told to climb onto the outboard and use the power trim to raise you out of the water then play monkey into the boat. Can't say for sure, lol. Of course this would only work if you have power trim.

I have done it, and it works like a charm.  Make sure you have good footing on the cavitation plate.  The steering cable makes for a convenient grab handle.  Get it as close to the motor as you can.  Less leverage on the cable reduces the chance of bending it.

[Fishing Rhino]

One other thing I did.

When I first tried to use the cavitation plate as a step, my foot kept sliding off it with the motor tilted down.  My  foot wanted to slide off the back of the plate.  I tilted the motor up enough so my foot would stay put on the plate as I pushed against it.

[livemusic]

Installing a step ladder is certainly wise for all boat owners. If you go overboard and the water is cold, you want to be able to get back in with minimum struggle, as you may be injured and the water cold, plus you may have full clothing on.

[A-Jay]

The latest Lund standard safety feature ~ safety ladder stores in hull and pulls out when needed.

A-Jay

[buzzed bait]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

The latest Lund standard safety feature ~ safety ladder stores in hull and pulls out when needed.

A-Jay

that's slick!!

[Fishes in trees]

I have a swim ladder on my boat.  It doesn't help much if you fall out on the other side of the boat.  Back when I first got my current boat (2002) it occurred to me that I might fall out of it and I ought to have a plan on how to get back in.   At a BFL tournament, in the parking lot a couple of days prior to the event,  I was with a number of other guys standing around listening to a local semi-pro expound on the particular nature of Table Rock Lake, compared to the other Ozark Highland Lakes.

Anyway, the subject of falling out of the boat came up and this guy mentioned that the easiest way to get back in was - A - get back to the surface and grab on to the boat.   B - hand over hand, work your way to the back of the boat and use the power trim to life yourself back into the boat, kind of roll back in..

Seemed like good advice and that summer I tried it in 80 degree water in a shallow cove, wearing swim trunks.  It works.

I've fallen out of the boat once - spring of 2006 - in 40 ish degree water.   The technique worked then.   Glad I practiced.   When I got home from that trip I got on the phone and ordered an inflatable life jacket and I nearly always wear it.   The inflatable life jacket would have made the whole process easier.