Hello list, Has anyone developed a kayak entry system for the transom of a sailboat. I am thinking of putting a cradle on the end of a swim ladder but would love to hear any other ideas. The goal is to provide enough stability to climb into the boat while remaining flexible enough so that it does not put excessive stress on the transom when there is chop. Thanks Corbett *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I would need a little more info on the type of boat before really being able to comment on this. I have not seen anyone with a "system" per se, but of course that doesn't mean one can't be developed. Clearly it would be easier with one of the contemporary European designs, like the Benetteau, with the huge "swim platform" transoms. I have seen people with kayak racks on their motor boats (nice idea) but the only one I ever really looked closely at had a flat swim platform on the back that could serve like a low dock for entry and exit of the kayaks. Good question, though. More info on boat would help.... Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
How big is your sailboat? I can get into my Guillemot Coastal (not an easy entry boat!) from the deck of my Tartan 30 -- it takes some practice, but if you can enter your kayak from a high dock, you can adapt the balance to alongside a sailboat. Hang your weight off one arm holding onto something secure like a stanchion while you get your knees in position, then shift your weight to the hand on the kayak just aft of the seat (this is the tricky part -- you have to position your hand just inboard of the centerline so you dont inadvertently roll the kayak over when you put some weight on it). The slide your butt into the seat quickly and you are all set. It is easier to do than to describe! --Karl Coplan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Subject: [Paddlewise] Kayak entry system for sailboat Good morning Corbett You didn't say how large your sailboat is or what the beam is, but I have found it most effecient to store the kayak on deck, then enter it by way of swim ladder. Since your weight is supported by your arms I think it is a more sure way to enter. Some time ago I made a PVC bracket which fit just perfectly over the lower part of the swim ladder,(above and a little below the water to prevent scratching the kayak. Once you do it a couple of times its becomes easy, and you find all sorts of ladder type structure things you can use to enter/exit your kayak. I found it easiest to use the side of the boat rather than the transom, then assuming you are anchord into the wind, the kayak isn't running away from you. Run your kayak bowline once around a stantion and back to the cockpit so you can release it quickly once you are seated and stable. Patri > Has anyone developed a kayak entry system for the transom of a sailboat. I > am thinking of putting a cradle on the end of a swim ladder but would love > to hear any other ideas. The goal is to provide enough stability to climb > into the boat while remaining flexible enough so that it does not put > excessive stress on the transom when there is chop. > Thanks Corbett > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
--- "Sailboat Restorations, Inc." <sailboatrestorations_at_worldnet.att.net> wrote: I have seen people with kayak racks > on their > motor boats (nice idea) but the only one I ever really looked closely > at had > a flat swim platform on the back that could serve like a low dock for > entry > and exit of the kayaks. This is something I've been thinking about for a while now (as I continue to dream of someday having a sailboaty). I've been wondering if a *foldable* floating dock could somehow be developed. Something that would be *rolled out* (sections connected with hinges, or something like that), and a couple of flat bars that would swing around and lock it all in place. And then of course, some way to attach it to the transom. This would be about the size of the swim platforms you mentioned. It wouldn't need to be very wide (not too many sections), and perhaps with a built-in *lever attachment* that could be used as a paddle shaft (for putting over the deck just behind the cockpit for stablization while entering/exiting). This would make it unnecessary to deal with the long paddle shaft on such a narrow platform. Just some idle musings... (I'll keep working on it) Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:09 AM 7/21/00 -0700, Melissa wrote: >--- "Sailboat Restorations, Inc." ><sailboatrestorations_at_worldnet.att.net> wrote: > >I have seen people with kayak racks >> on their >> motor boats (nice idea) but the only one I ever really looked closely >> at had >> a flat swim platform on the back that could serve like a low dock for >> entry >> and exit of the kayaks. > I thought about this, too, partly as a mental exercise. How about a swim platform, possibly mounted on rollers, that slides down so it's under water? Drive the kayak onto it, winch up the platform, and get in or out. Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't work for carrying the boat, just for access . . . this is an area where a foldable or sectional boat would seem to have some merit. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Wes wrote: > I thought about this, too, partly as a mental exercise. How about a swim > platform, possibly mounted on rollers, that slides down so it's under > water? Drive the kayak onto it, winch up the platform, and get in or out. > Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't work for carrying the boat, just for > access . . . this is an area where a foldable or sectional boat would seem > to have some merit. Well. . . yes. There are two issues here. First, carrying kayaks on a sail or motorboat. Second, loading/unloading and entering/exiting them. As for the first issue, I think it only makes sense on VERY large sailboats (over 50 feet) and on reasonably large motorboats (say, over 25 feet), and always depends on design, as well. My own personal hope is to get a nice lobster boat in the 30 foot range, and rig up a rack system to carry at least two good sea kayaks. This strikes me as pretty easy. Larger motor boats, like trawlers, can easily do this. Sailboats. . . as Wes says, this seems to me a good place for a folding boat. As I have mentioned to a couple people privately, the sailboat I am building is being set up in such a way as to accomodate two Feathercraft folding yaks in the forward cabin (under the berths, aft of the chain locker and extra water tankage). As for entry/exit, this frankly seems like an area for lots of pipe dreams. For a properly designed motorboat, yes, a swim platform is fine, and Wes's idea is pretty cool, but perhaps a bit too fanciful (as I think he meant it). In reality, a nice platform can work just fine without any modification. A motorboat without a platform, or a sailboat, to my thinking, just means using caution and entering exiting from the swim ladder. Maybe some sort of float can be rigged to add to the picture. In fact, a simple inflatable dinghy, like an Avon, tied to the swim ladder, should be a great help. It's always going to be a small challenge, I suspect. Part of the picture. . . Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:37 PM 7/21/00 -0400, Sailboat Restorations, Inc. wrote: >For a properly designed motorboat, yes, a swim platform is fine, and Wes's >idea is pretty cool, but perhaps a bit too fanciful (as I think he meant >it). In reality, a nice platform can work just fine without any >modification. A motorboat without a platform, or a sailboat, to my >thinking, just means using caution and entering exiting from the swim >ladder. Maybe some sort of float can be rigged to add to the picture. In Well, I was also sort of thinking about mothership type operations. (An aside -- I only see WaveLength on line, and it sure seems like they've embraced that concept with wide open arms.) Anyway, I was thinking about relativly inexperienced tour types might have a real handful entering/leaving a kayak from the high sides of a larger mothership, and trying to figure some way around it. Actually, in that environment, it seems kind of like a cool idea. Ahhhh, let's be honest. I was also dreaming about what would have happened if I'd hit that quarter billion dollar lotto a couple months ago . . . got one number one week, though. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Melissa wrote: > This is something I've been thinking about for a while now (as I > continue to dream of someday having a sailboaty). I've been wondering > if a *foldable* floating dock could somehow be developed. Something > that would be *rolled out* (sections connected with hinges, or > something like that), and a couple of flat bars that would swing around > and lock it all in place. [snip] Sounds awesome, although perhaps better for a motorboat than a sailboat. But I think it may end up being more trouble than it's worth. In reality, many motorboats (and some sailboats) have large transom-based swim platforms that would serve as a base for exactly the kind of thing you are describing. Frankly, I just don't think sea kayaks will work very well to be launched from a sailboat, unless it's a very large sailboat (well over 50 feet, I would think). From a motorboat, OTOH, I think it could work quite well, and as I mentioned I have seen it done. Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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