Freeboard of the 26M (2007)

[prishi]

I see that the freeboard is rather high on this boat - not so much thinking of windage, it is what it is - and higher freeboards are safer anyway - my concern is with getting in and out of the boat.

Jumping in and out is OK by myself, but for guests, it sometimes becomes an extra exercise and I've picked up this from Browns Point Marina http://store.brownspoint.com/detail.asp ... d=GAR05031

Yet to be installed and tried out, though.
Did not want a step ladder as it would only occupy space once its job is done. This thing can be thrown over the side with a tether.

On these thoughts, I have the Mast Raising system stowed in the lockers on the port side.
I plan to make a securing place for the boat-hook, on top of the cabin, clear of all running rigging, so I have more space in the cabin.
Galley moved forward-most gives the most acceptable positon to me and I've thrown a couple of extra cusions back home!!
The head is a storage cabin for me!

Cheers!

[Mac26Mpaul]

The freeboard sucks but without it, you dont have the floating beach house appeal of this boat

We could not live without one of those ladders, which we use over the bow when nosing onto the beach (we dont go to marinas or docks). Its particularly useful when you are single handed and having to push the boat off from a beach and then quickly climb up and get the motor started to reverse out.

I keep my boathook on the lifelines with some purpose made hangers you can buy. It doesnt get in the way of anything and is always there to grab. Mine is one of the extendable ones and it has sure come in handy..


The ladder

Boat hook position

[kitcat]

There has been some discussion about boarding, have a search. I have got one of those hook on ladders, but can't actually find anywhere to hook it that is safe. I still find the best way to get on, and an inflatable tender is a must here, is to tie the tender up to one side of the cockpit or the other, back and front, using stanchions and the rear cleat, the tender is then held against the boast securely, and a step up on the side, and over the gunnel is relatively easy, even for my sons, slightly tubby 70yo mother in law. I find the rear transom entry to be even more difficult off a tender, bearing in mind for those X users who do this, that the M has a much narrower gap.

I carry my boathook lashed to the top of the steps, internally, where it is easy to reach, but out of the way, and unlikely to be lost overboard, or stolen whilst the boat is on a mooring or at a slip.

I also use the head for storage, I've got two coathooks on either side for wet weather and warm gear, and I keep my spinnaker bagged up on the seat and buckets, brushes, mop and sponges etc on the floor, jammed in. Apart from moving the sail, the head can still be sat upon.

Paul.

[Mac26Mpaul]

For the hanging storage in the head, i use those cheap hooks you can get in the kitchen section at the 2 dollar shops (in the US thats 99 cent stores, or pound stores in the UK, or collectively perhaps we can just say, the cheap crap stores)
They are in the kitchen section, about 6 for a buck or so, and hook under the liner perfectly.

[rwmiller56]

I use a Fender Step to get in & out of the boat at a dock.
http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=337
It helps quite a bit.
I also have one of those boarding ladders, but haven't tried it yet.

Roger

[bscott]

I use the three step ladder which I shortened one leg and moved the steps so that it would hang straight off the gunnel of the I also have two boat hooks on board--kind of like having a spare tire on my Jeep.

Bob

[FAAbaddog]

All,

I bought this portable ladder, fits in my anchor locker:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50354

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50354

BADDOG

Edited to make link live using URL tags...catigale

[NiceAft]

This is what I use.

http://m.westmarine.com/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5 ... M1NA%3D%3D

It is easy to attach, and does not need to brought on board.

I will try to get to the boat so I can show how it is attached.

Ray

[Highlander]

Hi W/M have the inflatable step bumper on sale right now

J

[Miss_Dallie]

I bought and use this to use when boarding from the dock (West Marine Model number 7945959)

It helps but a second step would be nice for Pop (78 years old).


Ron Harris
Miss Dallie