Getting Older

[Fishing Rhino]

I fell out of my canoe with hip boots on.  It's impossible to get into a canoe, even moreso with the heavy boots full of water.

So there I floated. Tried to kick with my legs, but that was a no go, then it hit me.  Go to the stern of the canoe, hang onto the rail with one hand, and use the other to operate the trolling motor.  Worked like a charm.  Got to shore, laid on my back and lifted my legs to drain the boots.  Then after much tugging and wiggling, I got the boots off.  It was a warm day, sunny, with no wind.  I resumed fishing, dried off, and slipped  into my sneakers.  Took the hip boots a couple of days to dry, even lying in the sun.

[Way2slow]

Actually, it's not that hard getting back in if the water is not too swift.  well, let me say when I was younger it wasn't, haven't tried this technique in a long time.  You get into it under the center braces with your butt on the bottom and pull your legs up to lock yourself in place, then use the paddle like the kayaker's do to spin themselves back over.  It usually takes a couple strong strokes but it will spin over, back upright with you sitting in it, provided you have a little flotation built in so it will float full of water.  Then you can bail out water or paddle to the bank. 

I used to teach this in a canoe class I taught many, many moons ago and have done it hundreds of times.

Now with all those rods there, that might create an obstacle to overcome. 

This is also if you flip it, and don't just fall out.   I could get in my 17'Grumman if I  had the motor on it by climbing in over the bow point, but that was not easy and usually left a few red/raw spots.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've dumped over twice in my two canoes.  The first time I was trying to poke at something with my paddle.  I reached too far over the side.  Uh Oh.  I knew I was going in, but I tried to prevent it which succeeded in swamping the canoe, and dumping a tackle box over the side.  Fortunately it floated, I wa in shallow water about four feet deep.  I retrieved the tackle box, waded to shore and bailed out the canoe.  This was the canoe in my avatar.

The only thing I lost was a little pride.

In my aforementioned unplanned swim, I remembered the lesson from my first experience and just fell over the side.  I ended up in the drink, but didn't swamp the canoe.

The first episode was in 2008.  The second in 2009.

[OCdockskipper]

"See this scar on my chest.  Mary Ellen Moffat.  She broke my heart". - Matt Hooper, Jaws

At 53, I am a little younger than some of you and am fortunate to not yet have some of your struggles, but I do often think about things like balance.  Particularly when I am on the dock getting in & out of the small Pond Prowler an hour before sunrise.  I imagine not paying attention & stepping between the dock and the boat, how that kind of a fall would really do a number on me.  I'm not so worried about drowning as opposed to getting a limb in an awkward position as I went down.  I would think that would lead to a nasty bone break.  Worse of all, it would mean I couldn't go fishing that day...

[Ohio Archer]

Lots of good ideas being discussed in this thread.  Auto inflate vests, ladders, ropes, motor trim.  On my older bassboat (which sat very low to the water) I used a rope with multiple loops tied in it and slipped over the rear seat post as a "ladder".  My new boat sits much higher but has a factory installed boarding ladder. Wish it was on the port side though as that is the side with the trim switch on the motor.

I don't have an auto inflate vest but do wear my regular vest all day.  Even with the higher gunnels I've had a couple times when I thought I was going into the water.  Not sure I trust the auto inflate models to do what they are supposed to do each and every time. I might consider one when the temps climb back up since a full vest is way too hot in the summer.

I keep a spare set of dry clothes in one of those plastic vacuum bags in one of my storage compartments.  Full insulated suit, wool socks, gloves and hat all shrink down flat.  Hopefully, I'll never need it for myself or someone else.

Balance is ok, legs and back have a couple issues but nothing show stopping at this time (I get shots in my Lumbar every few months). 

I usually fish alone like a bunch on here so having a dock to get in /out is almost mandatory.  I have climbed up and over the bow and TM but it is not that easy.  Looking for a decent set of bow steps that wont break the bank.  Tracker has them for Targas but you need a hull ID to get one.  All the rest that are tall enough are $400+.  I'll just use my small step ladder for the time being.

I guess the alternative to not fishing and putting up with all our aches and pains would be to sit home in front of a keyboard and complain about our aches and pains.  ;-)

Quote

Master Chief John Urgayle: Pain is your friend, your ally, it will tell you when you are seriously injured, it will keep you awake and angry, and remind you to finish the job and get the hell home. But you know the best thing about pain?

Lt. Jordan O'Neil: Don't know!

Master Chief John Urgayle: It lets you know you're not dead yet!

 

[Way2slow]

For an auto inflate, bite the big one and get the Mustang Hydrostatic.  You don't have to worry about moisture setting it off.  I bought two, one for me and one for my dad when they first came out and have never had one go off when it wasn't supposed to.  Can't say the same for the SoSpenders auto inflates I have that I was using before the Mustangs.  I still keep the SoSpenders in the boat with fresh kits in them just incase I happen to have a third and god forbid, a fourth person in the boat but I personally only use the Mustang.  I take it out of the boat and put in on before even launching and don't take it back off again until the boat is on the trailer and out of the water.

I personally see no reason to assume I am going to be conscious to pull the cord on a manual inflate and the only reason I'm wearing it is to keep me afloat if I'm in the water.  Yea, you just fall in is one thing, but if you get ejected or are in a collision or something, (old saying goes "s**t happens") it's very possible you may not be able to personally pull the cord.  I want my butt protected in those cases also. 

[Catt]

Coming from a background of racing dirt bikes, cars, & boats I'll wear all my safety gear!

This time of year hyperthermia is a serious issue!

[Robeng]

Great ideas and nice to know that at 63, I am not alone.

Always be safe.  Be prepared.  Good advice.  Thanks.

[Way2slow]

That's where a good Merino wool base layer is supposed to come in handy.  When I say good, I mean just that.  I can't wear just any wool next to my skin, even some of those claiming to be Merino, but I have several sets in different weights that don't itch, even if I get too active and start to sweat. 

I've never had to prove it to myself and hope I don't, but it's claimed wool still helps hold some body heat even when wet.  Not enough to save you in the long haul but enough  to buy you some time. 

[Redlinerobert]

I fish alone from time to time, and in the past I'd not wear my life jacket.  I'm ordering a couple of the waist life preservers in order to wear one at all times when I do happen to fish alone.   The life vest goes on when I fire up the large motor, off when not in use.

For the most part, I fish with my dad.  When not with him I do fish with my wife.  He doesn't particularly like wearing the vest.  My dad is approaching 79 this year and I make sure to give him the extra time he needs to get positioned in the boat.  That usually means holding steady so he can use my shoulder to get up on the back deck and in his seat, and vice versa when it's time to move to another spot.  I also hand him his fishing rod that's ready to go as well when he's ready for it.  I see it as an honor to do this for him. 

 

 

[keeganzpapa]

Way2slow I have seen kayakers perform this maneuver but they are usually sitting in the kayak upside down and use the paddle to flip back over. I am very interested in learning it but can't wrap my mind around how to position myself into the upturned canoe if I am drifting in water next to the canoe which is probably drifting next to me upside down. Am I missing something?  I'm not trying to be wise, or poking any fun, don't take this wrong please. This could save my life and I want to understand it. The only way I have read about uprighting a canoe is to get under it with a hand on each gunnel side and springing up with your legs. (Sure, maybe 30 years ago, and then only on my best day, and then only if I could spring up off the bottom. Thing weighs about 80# empty.) Any help is appreciated.  Thanks

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, keeganzpapa said:

Way2slow I have seen kayakers perform this maneuver but they are usually sitting in the kayak upside down and use the paddle to flip back over. I am very interested in learning it but can't wrap my mind around how to position myself into the upturned canoe if I am drifting in water next to the canoe which is probably drifting next to me upside down. Am I missing something?  I'm not trying to be wise, or poking any fun, don't take this wrong please. This could save my life and I want to understand it. The only way I have read about uprighting a canoe is to get under it with a hand on each gunnel side and springing up with your legs. (Sure, maybe 30 years ago, and then only on my best day, and then only if I could spring up off the bottom. Thing weighs about 80# empty.) Any help is appreciated.  Thanks

 

Greenland style of rolling.  Here's a decent resource: http://qajaqrolls.com/rolls

I don't know how you'd do any of this in a canoe.

[keeganzpapa]

 

OK, I guess I misunderstood. From viewing the link from "I do what I want" it would work if you have only rolled onto one side, or did something to keep yourself from completely falling all the way out, and I could see myself doing this, if I were upside down but still locked into the canoe.  My imagination had me tipping out into the water, which is the more probable situation, with the canoe turned upside down in the water next to me. This actually happened about 30 years ago when a branch which was sticking our from the bank caught me and flipped me over. Fortunately the creek was shallow enough to walk the canoe up onto the bank and upright it.

[J Francho]

As teenagers, we intentionally capsized our canoe (it was also heavy, like yours) to see if we could right it without too much water inside.  It wasn't easy for two of us, but we got it righted without too much water.  I can't see one person doing it, unless is was a very light, carbon fiber hulled craft.

[Way2slow]

Ok, most likely you are not going to be in the canoe if you flip it and naturally the canoe is going to be full of water if you roll it over.  Most canoes have two or three center braces going across the top. 

You roll the canoe on it's side, or upside down if you wish. 

Then you slide into the canoe with your legs between the center braces and the bottom of the canoe.  Mine has three center braces so I slid up until my belly was against the back one.  Once in place, you draw your legs up until you thighs are pressed firmly against a center brace, holding you firmly between it and the bottom of the canoe.

Now you will reach out to your strongest side with the paddle, with the paddle turned so it's flat with the direction of stroke and at the surface or very near surface at one side of the canoe.  Also note, you generally will be completely upside down in the canoe when you start this maneuver.  I'm not sure it would work if you tried to start with the canoe on it's side, can't remember ever having tried that.

Now for this next part, speed and strength is essential, with all the energy you can muster, you make a hard pull down and under the boat so the force is rolling you and the boat over toward the surface.  When at the effective end of this stroke, make a quick 90 degree turn of the paddle so the edge is cutting the water and as fast as you can, go back to the side you started, turn the paddle flat again and make another stroke.  Usually, this should have you almost completely out of the water and you have to make several quick rolls with the paddle on that side to finish getting you up.  Get it right, and you will be sitting upright, on the bottom of a canoe full of water.   Then you can just bail water or if you have some seriously good balance, just ease it to shore flooded, however, it's going to be about as stable as trying to sit on a log and paddle.

ONE WORD of ADVISE:  Make sure you are using a long "canoe" paddle.  I have serious doubts about anyone being able to do this with a boat paddle.  Just in case you don't know the difference, you need to do a little homework, the blade on a canoe paddle is much wider and longer than a boat paddle and the handle is generally much longer.

One other thought, I've never used or tried anything but good, wood handle canoe paddles, and would have doubts about those aluminum handle things being strong enough.  You are generating some serious force on that shaft when you start making your strokes.

[XpressJeff]

Thank you folks!

 

I am only 61 next month but for the 23 I was in the Corps I was "10 feet tall and bulletproof". I am paying for it every day now. both knees replaced (left one twice), 2 bad disks in the lower back and neuropathy (sp) in the feet. Yes aging is not for wimps, however; the good Lord has something for me to do that he has filled me in on yet so I am planning to make the most of my time.

 

I am glad to hear about other's issues and how you deal with them.

 

I will wear a self-inflating vest, and wear it more than I ever have in the past. My new boat will be the most stable I've ever owned too! 

 

Be careful and enjoy the days you have left!

[Catt]

17 minutes ago, XpressJeff said:

Yes aging is not for wimps, however; the good Lord has something for me to do that he has filled me in on yet

 

[scaleface]

I'll be 60 soon and still stand up in the front of a 14 foot jon boat for 8 hour . I had a few close calls this year. My 22 foot Lowe has a huge deck but I get wobbly on it when the boat is bobbing . What really got me this year was trying to walk on the riprap below the dam . Now that was tough  .

[Airman4754]

On 12/12/2016 at 4:27 PM, WRB said:

Triton boats, some models, have or had a similar biult in ladder step at the transom.

Someday when it's warm and you have a passenger to help try falling out of the boat and getting back in with clothing and shoes, could save your life.

Tom

 

Yeah, my 21x has one on the rear passenger side also. I honestly didn't even know what it was until my son was screwing around with the boat in the driveway and pulled it out.

 

I haven't ever fallen in but I have fallen down on the front deck a few times accidentally stepping into the recesses trolling motor pedal spot. 

[Tim Kelly]

For the guys with the inflating life jackets, I would ask you to try getting back in the boat with an inflated life vest on. I believe it would be almost impossible. They are great if you're fishing with someone who can pull you back in the boat, but an impossible encumbrance if you're trying to get back in the boat on your own. A foam filled life vest will give you a much better chance of being able to re-board. 

[XpressJeff]

Tim, that's an interesting thought that I had not considered.

 

Thanks

[livin2fish]

My plan.  My boat is a fairly high sided aluminum bass boat.  There is a iPilot hand held device for my Terrova.  This floats.  It is attached to my life vest, and can be used to bring the boat back to me if I have fallen into the water while the trolling motor is deployed (possibly the trolling motor can be deployed from the hand held with the newer TM's).  This can be a life saver if the boat is blowing away from you.  Next for getting back into the boat is a heavy rope (about 1 inch or a little larger) with a large foot loop tied to the hand rail on the port side of the boat.

76 years and never having learned to swim, the life vest is always on while cruising or fishing. 

[N Florida Mike]

I'm still in my 50s.Grew up outdoors,not playing video games.Worked on a farm from 19-26 years old.Played baseball / softball for nearly 30 years.Worked a physically demanding outdoor job for 25 years.Never had a bad injury the whole time, except the fish hook in my r. eye when I was 24.

The result? I think overall the outdoor life has caused me to be healthier than I would have been.Other than moderate eye trouble,I have lower back pain if Im on my feet too long.Not serious pain,but it slows me down.I don't fish all day in a boat much anymore,unless my son takes me ( he's a die hard fisherman like I used to be )This is more due to my schedule than the back pain at this point.I have pain in my right wrist from a truck accident with a friend when I was 19.My right shoulder ( I think the rotater cuff) gives me fits at times and makes it hard to sleep on for long.and my right hand goes numb and wakes me up every night,at least once or twice.

Other than that I'm good to go. For now.

[Way2slow]

That's one of those I would have to say, to each his own.  How many are going to wear a hot, bulky foam vest all day.  I know some will and do but not me.   If the inflatable does create a problem trying to get back in, the same buckles than let you put it on will let you take it off once you're ready to get in.  Plus, I've never used a boarding ladder on the back because I've always depended on the motor to lift me in, and I have jumped in with mine on, just to see how it works, and I have gotten back in with the motor lifting me with no problems.

[Fishing Rhino]

I think Nitro has the neatest boarding ladder on all their fiberglass bass boats.  I think they were standard equipment on all the Nitros beginning at 2010 or 2011.

 

They are easily accessible from the water, and are solid as a rock.  The steps have rubber matting on them.  There is a more than sturdy hand grip mounted on the hull, and it folds neatly out of the way.