Falling For Your Boat

[spartonboat1]

Well, I am hoping to be more active on the SM website. My Dad died five years ago, who was a massive fan of the boat, a 1972 43' Hatt DCFB MY. When he passed away, some family members went totally haywire and created massive havoc in the family, esp. for me physically and emotionally. I had no free time for the forum.

I then proceeded to fall off a ladder in Nov 2014, when boarding the boat, while on the hard; from a height of 8' or so. I had become exhausted from working on a home I was selling, and became disoriented from lack of sleep. Result: broken vertebrae, fused spine. By God's Grace, they say I am the poster boy for recovery, as went back to work after 10 weeks, and do not suffer too much.

Note to all: I purchased two (2) sets of heavy safety harnesses, plus safety straps, to protect against another fall. I will post pics after while. I use it religiously, and my wife has one, which she also uses. As you all know, a 43' or 53'+ Hatt puts you up 2 or more stories, when on the hard. Ironically, when purchasing my harnesses, the counterman said another boater, a ragsailor, had also purchased a harness for the same reason- had a fall from his boat ladder and suffered a broken back; his wife said harness or no boat. He now has a harness.

At any rate, back for a time, and will post about re-coring my flybridge.

 

[Boatsb]

Glad to hear your back in almost one piece. I understand the danger of working on the hard and have almost completely stopped working on anything out of the water without proper scaffolding.

I do very little on the boats when their on the hard but pulling shafts or through hulls is a bitch. Especially on motoryachts.

Anyone doing a big job on the hard should have a solid and accessible set of steps not a flimsy ladder.

 

[drburke]

It's been a while; welcome back!

The upset at the loss of a parent within families is unfortunately somewhat common. But that sad event we all go through is behind you, as is the injury.

Best of luck,
DAN

 

[spartonboat1]

Yes, good roll-around steps are very good; darn site cheaper than lifetime injury and $100k+ medical bill. OBTW, I could have had brain injury, but several tests said "none". An associate at work fell off his roof installing Xmas tree lights and was very injured. Tried to return to work and remembers the words (we are in IT), but does not remember what they mean. He had to retire.

About $1,2-1,300 for a 12-13 step unit roll-around walk-up ladder will reach to gunnel height for a 43', on the hard. Scaffolding is also very indicated for external work.

To go aboard on the hard, I have a Werner "platform/pulpit" step ladder, that is even with the swim platform, at the ladder platform. I then "hook-up" my harness to the swim-platform ladder to the back deck for the walk up.