Boarding the 26M using the motor

[Ixneigh]

So I am out for a week or so. Just around "town" so to speak. While parked in the shallows I find myself sitting on the outboard and then stepping on the ladder. I also use the cavitation plate as a step. Will this be ok to do long term?
It's very comfortable to sit right on top of the motor while scoping out the water for jellyfish crocadials or barracudas before jumping in.

Thanks
Ixneigh

[Hearts content]

That's exactly how I use the motor on my 26M. Been doing it for two years with no problems and I am not considered ... umm ... small.

Although we never step on the cavitation plate. We use a line tied off with loops to help pull-up and this makes a big difference.

[vizwhiz]

Y'know, I saw an Armstrong floating bracket on the back of a boat in town the other day, and it had a little ladder on the side of it. I didn't get a picture of it, but it extended the motor back a couple feet, and gave a platform to stand on, with the little ladder on the side to get up on. Apparently, the bracket is actually extra flotation, so the change in motor location is supposed to be offset by the extra flotation of the bracket...on the one I saw, the bottom of the bracket matched the center part of the hull shape also, and added a smoother transition to the back of the hull (just what the X/M needs, right?).

Anyway, I instantly thought that it would be the perfect solution to the "how to squeeze by the motor" problem on the M...although I don't know if they've tried it on an M yet... There's a good picture on the page for the ladder that shows how much space is possible behind the transom using one of these.

Here's the website: http://www.armstrongnautical.com/

No, I don't sell these things or work for the company...I just saw one on the road and immediately thought of my powersailing shipmates!

Happy Sailing!

PS They say it will add speed to the boat too...you white hull guys might want to check into that!

[Mac26Mpaul]

Always board the dinghy by sitting on the motor, cant see any problems with it.

[SKIPPER2C]

I moved the outboard (thanx for all the advice) and made a dive platform . It made the so much more fun and boarding a dream.I use the motor as a place to sit and fish .
Renier
Thanx

[gianpaolo]

any pic please?

[SKIPPER2C]

Please help . How do u post pic .

[FinallySailing]

Please help . How do u post pic .

Sign up for a free Photobucket account, upload the picture onto there, copy the location or the code of the picture from Photobucket onto your macgregorsailors.com post. Easy. Done it the first time today myself !

[SKIPPER2C]

I moved the outboard (thanx for all the advice) and made a dive platform . It made the so much more fun and boarding a dream.I use the motor as a place to sit and fish .
Renier
Thanx

[FinallySailing]

That is one impressive set of mods !!!

[Mac26Mpaul]

Looks very interesting and you must be a skillful guy
but where are your rudders?

[Russ]

So I am out for a week or so. Just around "town" so to speak. While parked in the shallows I find myself sitting on the outboard and then stepping on the ladder. I also use the cavitation plate as a step. Will this be ok to do long term?
It's very comfortable to sit right on top of the motor while scoping out the water for jellyfish crocadials or barracudas before jumping in.

Thanks
Ixneigh

Someone posted once that in an emergency, one could stand on the outboard and tilt it up to get back onboard. That's a great idea.

I often sit on the outboard getting on/off the dink. Pretty strong mount it seems.

[Harrison]

I moved the outboard (thanx for all the advice) and made a dive platform . It made the so much more fun and boarding a dream.I use the motor as a place to sit and fish .
Renier
Thanx

Where'd the rudders go? Do you sail with this mod?

[SKIPPER2C]

Yes i do. The dam where i went sailing the past weekend had a bad gravel road .Took the rudders off to protect them when on trailer .
Renier
(its more difficult to right in English than to do any mod)

[Mac26Mpaul]

Your English if fine Reiner. I know a few native English speakers who write a lot worse than you do

So I take it, you cant bring your rudders up when they are on the boat?