RE: [Paddlewise] Launch and exit from swim platform.

Michael

I've found the easiest way to launch and recover from high sided boats is to
use an inflatable dingy/zodiac as a launch platform, particularly if there
is any swell and the larger boat is rolling at all makes life much easier
and reduces the risk of squished fingers etc. If you find it easier to climb
onto the kayak's rear deck and enter from prone then that'd be the way to
go, but I find it just as easy to put my feet into the cockpit sitting on
the side of a zodiac, then with one hand on the back of the cockpit and the
other holding the inflatable slide into my seat  - also easier to reverse in
a hurry if a wave turns up with your name on it. 

HTH

Cheers

Colin
http://www.kayakscotland.com

> 
> I have been asked about entering and exiting a kayak from the 
> swim platform of a large yacht.  Frankly in many years of 
> paddling, I have only launched or landed from a dock or 
> similar structure two or three times.  On those occasions I 
> crawled face down facing aft as if using the paddle float 
> rear deck re-entry approach.
> 
> Are there other more effective techniques used for this?  How 
> do they do it on the small so-called "Mother ships"?  Are 
> mechanical aids of any kind used?
> 
> I'd appreciate any enlightenment I can get.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Michael in Tallahassee
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