winter boat safety

[Cane Pole]

My brother in law drowned 35 years ago during a winter duck hunting trip. He was a good swimmer but was overcome by the weight and cold. The guy with him did not know how to run the boat and could not swim.

1. I never go out in the winter by meself.
2. I always wear me lifejacket.
3. The person I go with knows how to operate boat.
4. I too fat to try to get back in boat so:
a. I carry a ski rope
b. Tie ski rope to me, and tow me to shore, but don't drown me.
c. Start bonfire and thaw me out. I always have matches im me first aid kit.
5. I hope I never have to find out if this plan will work or not.
6. If I wrong here, help me out.

[ShortStorie]

I'll add my short story (groan)-- Knew I should put a ladder on my little bass boat (Champion mean 16) It's one of the older ones with a definite "coffin" shape... The transom was just barely wide enough for the smallest ladder I could find... but I HAD to add a jackplate which took away another inch. No ladder. This past August, after pulling some kids on a tube, we went swimming. This former college swimmer, couldn't drag his 250lbs back into the boat. Tried climbing on the motor and trimming it up.. No luck... Ended up swimming a couple hundred yards to shallow water where I could stand and sit on the boat. Way too much Bar-B-Que the past 35 yrs! Back in the market for a NARROW ladder. Just glad the water was 77 degrees instead of the 59 like today. Hmm--supposed to be a short story--oops.
Mark

[slabbatical]

Cane Pole,

Sounds like a good plan to me...two comments.

1. I would add is some form of communication (VHF or Cell Phone) that is "always" placed in a dry place (i.e. not on your belt). Most of us have that it just needs to knowingly be a part of the plan.

2. Also, your plan for a fire might be good but the previous mention of sterno might be a more reliable solution. Even if you have matches, if you did all this in a downpour of rain, your matches might be more frustrating than effective.

Also, if anyone is using an auto inflate life jacket (like SOSpenders) they are great if you do two things...1. Wear them and 2. Follow the instructions for testing and routinely replacing the trigger mechanism. I need to do this myself but it makes me wonder if some don't even know it's required.

Good topic...thanks for starting it.

[CrappieHead]

I am like Cane Pole to fat to get back in the boat if I did fall out. This thread has made me think about what I would do, if!!!!

I have gotten some very good ideas that I will put to use in my boat. I have always carried a big moving pad in a trash bag during the winter. Think I will have a set of joggers and sweat shirt vacuamed packed for the boat now along with a light weight blanket. One thing I had not heard anyone else carrying is pocket hand warmers like we use deer hunting I even have ones for my boots. I have several old pairs of tennis shoes may have one of them vacuam packed too.

[Cane Pole]

I am like Cane Pole to fat to get back in the boat if I did fall out. This thread has made me think about what I would do, if!!!!

I have gotten some very good ideas that I will put to use in my boat. I have always carried a big moving pad in a trash bag during the winter. Think I will have a set of joggers and sweat shirt vacuamed packed for the boat now along with a light weight blanket. One thing I had not heard anyone else carrying is pocket hand warmers like we use deer hunting I even have ones for my boots. I have several old pairs of tennis shoes may have one of them vacuam packed too.

Fatboys like us have a far greater chance of surviving hypothermia than skinny folks. This has been proven many times. So, sometimes it good to be fatties.
I don't wanna find out though.

[JnT]

If you have electric tilt you can use it to get out of the water. Hug that motor and hit the switch on the outboard, it will tilt you out.Won't be comfortable but it could save your life. Also in an emergency where you have someone that is to heavy to lift back into the boat you can use the same technique. Cold water is very unforgiving.
My wife and I wear the Stearns float jackets that look like a winter coat. They are fairly comfortable and very warm. Sizes run on the big side.
I agree on the vacuum packed blanket.An old wool army blanket is going in my boat.

[CatFan]

3. The person I go with knows how to operate boat.

Even though it isn't legal here at their ages, my kids both start and idle the boat out of coves when we are fishing. Includes raising the TM and trimming the OB down as required. I also teach them how to reset the kill switch. If they can't run the boat, you are alone if you go in the water.

[izzysfishin]

Had a little fold up trans. mount ladder on my old boat. Got it at Bass Pro for around a 100 bucks. I had to use it a couple times. I hav'nt got one on the new rig, but there will be before it gets to cold.

[ShilohRed]

A cheap ladder. A buddy of mine built one. He picked up a composite rail post the little ones that fit between rails.
Cut it to length, drilled holes in it. And ran a rope through it with knots below each. Works great. and easy to rool up an store.
PEte

[CrappieHead]

We have talked about carrying a blanket in the boat just in case. Would one of these blanket wraps I see in Cabeba's and other catalogs be better to carry?