In article ,
Don White wrote:

wrote:

...that boarding from the stern is a bad idea...

Jonathan... Can you elaborate on the aforementioned statement?

I think you and/or some others have before... but please refresh
my memory.

Bill

Ever watch your stern bob up & down like a rocking horse at a rough
mooring? midships, the movement is more subdued.

On some boats, perhaps.

Boarding our boat amidships just isn't going to happen. Freeboard is 5
feet at the cockpit, 7 feet at the mast, and we roll as much as pitch
when we're stopped in slop. With the curve of the hull, we'd need a long
ladder that would whip around mercilessly.

I've reboarded over the transom in some pretty sloppy conditions and
while it takes a bit of timing, it's no big thing. (We have three rungs
in the water, which helps.) I've also reboarded at 5+ knots (when I
forget to ease the sails before freeing a crab trap). Again, takes a
little thought, but it's not much more strenuous than getting up in
still water.

Now, I can see midships being more reasonable in a traditional boat with
low side decks and a tall transom.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/