A lot of not-very-helpful responses, but as noted by someone else, a good
more detail from the original poster would be helpful. "Wheelchair
passenger" could indicate anything on a wide spectrum of mobility/functional
limitations, and says nothing about boating experience, preferences, or
skills. Likewise, the trip locale and conditions, hull design and power,
and skipper's skills are (as always) vital considerations.

That said, Bob Hicks, editor/publisher of 'Messing about in Boats' magazine
has written of his experiences working with disabled friends in kayaks. As
I recall, the paddler had plenty of upper body strength and coordination -
getting in and out took a bit of thinking, and excursions were subject to a
super-dose of prudence and planning.


Can anyone tell me how I would go about converting a small 14 foot
boat for a wheelchair passenger - and is there any companies in the uk
that specialise in this.

Ottawa has a handicapped sailing school at the the Nepean Sailing Club.
I'm sure there must be handicapped kayaking, hard not to with so much
publicity and marketing around kayaks. (Would not be surprized to hear of
some group promoting kayaking as a means of bringing about world peace.)
I'd try searching the Internet for hadicapped boating. You might get some
info or a contact at www.nsc.ca (Nepean Sailing Club).

(ahop) wrote in message . com...
Can anyone tell me how I would go about converting a small 14 foot
boat for a wheelchair passenger - and is there any companies in the uk
that specialise in this.

A friend of Dynamite Payson, Bruce Gray I think his name is, built
some boats for paraplegics; there may still be a website. The idea
that he used, that I have not seen noted here, is building a boat that
someone could be in, without the chair. Custom seat, proper hand rails
etc... I think it is a good idea. Seems easier to provide a stable
seat for someone without control of their legs, and you don't have to
worry about floating a person and a chair in the event of a problem. A
properly fitted seat, smartly placed hand grabs designed to take
advantage of the users "good parts", a proper PFD, proper
instruction/experience, and good old common sense, and there are many
boats, small and large, that these folks could be a free in as the
rest of us. Mr. Gray had used a modified version of Rubens Nymph, (a
wide Bolger box) and fitted it for wheelchair bound folks. Each boat
is of course custom based on the user's ability. This boat is 8 feet x
5 feet rowboat.
Anyway, just a thought, Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Hi

"Rick Tyler" skrev i en meddelelse
...
On 29 Mar 2004 01:35:44 -0800, (ahop) wrote:
1. Fourteen feet is really small.
2. If you start cutting holes for a ramp you may irreparably harm the
strength of the boat.
3. Here's an approach that might work if you need a small
wheelchair-friendly boat:
http://www.bateau.com/plans/misc/GP16_study.htm


That boat seem to be the best suggestion in this tread untill now for
several resons. Still Im'e quite sure that if you try compleatly rethink
and not just convert ,a whole lot of options would show. Please lat me
explain ;
Emagine the GP16 was fittet with water ballast tanks and the guy in the
wheelchair by remote control could navigate the boat with a small electric
motor, he could beach the boat and make the water ballast make is stable
while entering. After you entered you pump out the water from the tanks and
is afloat.
The other issue is the wheelchair that we all emagine as two big and two
small wheels -------- not please don't think Im'e trying to make a bad joke,
but for going sailing it would be a good idea to replace the tradisional
wheelchair with one better suited for the short trip from the car onto the
boat. Realy I would think that replacing the wheels with some sort of
belts, would make sailing a much easier thing , ------- Still doing both it
would mean rigging a small electric motor and a remote control, installing
water ballast tanks and pumps, beside making a wheelchair with belts instead
of wheels, ------- but it might just work.
And it maby even could make it so, that the guy in the wheelchair, could go
sailing without the need of a helper.

P.C.

Hi

"ahop" skrev i en meddelelse
om...
Can anyone tell me how I would go about converting a small 14 foot
boat for a wheelchair passenger - and is there any companies in the uk
that specialise in this.

What's wrong with seperate float steps like this, ------ like a pontoon
inbetween a pontoon harbout bridge and the boat ;

http://home20.inet.tele.dk/h-3d/float-5.jpg

P.C.


P.C.