Boat boarding

And that boat works at that dock only because the dock is fixed and so high. At most floating docks that would require steps. Part of the problem is the difference between boats and docks.

I agree with you that flexibility is nice and preferable where feasible. There are many boats on which it isn't. Riva's don't really have the ability. Some other boats don't really. On some, it would be a fairly simple modification if the manufacturer chose.

I don't agree with it being critical and it's not easy to do on some boats to modify. I've boarded from the stern for nearly 9 years with no problems.

While you may be complaining here, I don't believe the builders who could modify for side boarding are receiving that many complaints. If they were, perhaps they'd add the ability or perhaps they wouldn't make the change as the US market is a relatively small part of their business plus those who have the complaint are a small part of the US market. So do you change for 15% of the market? For 5%? Well, the do a lot of accommodations for the US market so perhaps they would if enough people came to them with complaints.

Regardless, I do appreciate you bringing the issue up as I think any issue that may involve safety needs regular discussion.

However, it would need to be potential buyers or their representatives. You're complaining about a problem that as far as I know doesn't directly impact you, but you believe does impact others. Are those other boat owners complaining? I haven't.

As an aside, we do have a side opening on our AB. We have tested using it. Our ladder is 9 steps. However, we haven't yet used it other than testing it. Our docking has either been stern in or side tie and the stern platform and passerelle are just much easier and safer. Also most of our docking in Europe was not what we call Med Mooring.

I'm clearly missing something (seeing the sterns and platforms) on the photos you've posted to understand why the boats you've posted have boarding problems. I'm assuming it's because they're side tied and can't use their passerelles and it's a huge step down to the platform at that dock. Am I correct or is there a greater problem?

It would be interesting to hear others talk about their marinas and any boarding issues.

I can't see the swim platform in photo #1.

This was a concern when building our Schaefer 660. The side folding balconies make a dive door not possible. Ended up having a passerelle put on. Also had them make the side rails open at midship, with removable boarding stairs.

Pascal, I rarely disagree with you. However; you are showing only pictures that agree with your opinion. I could show thousands of picture of the opposite opinion. We will all argue this but in the end as time progresses there will be less fixed docks and more floating docks in the USA. It is happening now and will continue. I am sorry to disagree with you.

Lots of these newer floating docks still suck. This is a popular marina in Jax.
The corner is filled with a Dock Dox keeping most motor boats from coming all back, keeping the stern far from the main dock.
The dock box keeps you from reaching the aft platform from astern.
The finger pier is less than half the length of the slip.
The rest of the slip uses Dolphin piles that you must reach from your boat while backing in or from the your bow with a line pole.

That is a 50' slip that that lil boat is bowed into. BTW, Bow in is discouraged here.

Oh, Here; Slips rented by the length of the slip and not by the length of the boat. Your boat can not exceed the slip length. They will rent you the next sized up slip (still by the foot).

Seems to work for skinny asp's snail botes backed all in. Lots here for sure.

This is the standard new dock design in the JAX FL area.
Or, as the brand new fixed wood docks just up river, still a Jungle Gym to crawl on/off your boat.

So, lots of newer docks are still a PIA.

I'm not blaming the boat MFG's for everything.
Not blaming the dock designers for everything.
Not blaming the boat buyer for everything.
All have a share of not ensuring some safe and common sense , when boarding/de-boarding a boat come to design thoughts.

But it looks cool!!!!

One thing that needs to be mentioned too is we're talking in generalities as boats vary widely but also doors/gates and ladders vary widely and passerelle's do as well. With of ladders and passerelles is important, rails are, rotation can be important. I've seen both ladders and passeerelles that I didn't consider safe for anyone. Also weight capacity. I wouldn't use either without handrails and prefer them to be strong, not light weight and flimsy.

I saw a boat in Italy with an absolutely gorgeous ladder/gangway from the swim platform up to the dock. It rotated and would work in any application. The steps had sturdy rails on both sides. However, there was a 2 to 3' level section between the ladder and the swim platform. It had no railing. In addition it had a tricky step up onto the platform. So a very good idea destroyed by horrific execution in my opinion. I also saw a ladder used for side boarding and fixed perpendicular to boat once that with the height of the boat and length and design of the ladder they were unable to keep the base on the narrow finger pier. I saw one boat in France that had an incredibly impressive ladder with a high capacity, great rails on both sides. However, as we waited and watched them board, one person with us noticed the attachment of the ladder to the boat. It was like a $60k ladder and a $0.50 attachment.

This is definitely something buyers should consider and whichever system they use be sure they're getting a workable system for their boating locations. Look closely at the boat and it's boarding options.

I have avoided comments on passerelles. They look like an event waiting to happen. Others (rarely spotted) look some what safe but I'm not standing on any of them with supplies, tools, parts or my asp in my hands. See post # 20.

This can be the best words of caution;

As I have tried to explain (maybe poorly), it is the guy writing the checks that contributes to that (safe/un-safe) purchase decision.