I am considering making my boat wheelchair accessible. I love taking people out fishing who don't have access to a boat. Does anyone have experience with modifying a boat to be able to lift and secure a person in a wheelchair? Myself at 5'2" and an artificial hip, lifting someone is not an option.
Creating wheel chair access for a 226 Seafarer
- Thread starter Mad Man Across the Water
- Start date
If you are thinking about making a new hull opening, I think that would be just not practical.
At my club we had to look into making some slips ADA compliant. The wheelchair issue is just one of the challenges.
If you wanted just the ability to lift a person in a wheelchair onto and off of your boat, there are hoists made for that purpose.
The (slings/chair) lifts for a person are often seen at public pools and can be manual or electric.
Whether that approach will work depends a lot on the type of launch facility, fixed dock, floating dock and general access. One ADA requirement for turning space means that a slip has to be at least 5 feet wide.
At my club we had to look into making some slips ADA compliant. The wheelchair issue is just one of the challenges.
If you wanted just the ability to lift a person in a wheelchair onto and off of your boat, there are hoists made for that purpose.
The (slings/chair) lifts for a person are often seen at public pools and can be manual or electric.
Whether that approach will work depends a lot on the type of launch facility, fixed dock, floating dock and general access. One ADA requirement for turning space means that a slip has to be at least 5 feet wide.
Lt.Mike
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Googling it I found this....
Maybe some decent info here.
www.cheetahmarine.co.uk
Maybe some decent info here.
WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY | Cheetah Marine LLP
Cheetah Marine continues to lead Europe in the specialist design and construction of power catamarans. Now in 25th year of production. Cheetah Catamarans are renowned in the commercial world where time at sea is dictated by the weather conditions a boat can operate in.
All he has to do is buy a custom new boat!
I was thinking more along the lines of
mfimedical.com
I was thinking more along the lines of
Joerns Hoyer Elevate Patient Lift
The Joerns Hoyer Elevate Patient Lift has a working capacity up to 440 lb (200 kg), and can be purchased as the standard model with electric base, or with a scale integrated. The unit has a Smart Monitor digital display, adjustable kneepad, and the foot tray is angled and removable for testing...
mfimedical.com
I have a BIL who is quadriplegic from a car accident, been in a wheel chair for 45 years. Another BIL who was FUBAR'ed by polio, been in leg and body braces, crutches, and now a scooter, for 70 years. Both successful men, who owned their own businesses. One of them flew his own plane for a few years.
But, having been witness to the physical side of it, I'll just say, go big or stay home. An appropriate ramp is one thing, if you have to resort to lifting a person in a chair, or slinging them on board, then you are in way over your head.
But, having been witness to the physical side of it, I'll just say, go big or stay home. An appropriate ramp is one thing, if you have to resort to lifting a person in a chair, or slinging them on board, then you are in way over your head.
Maybe but if for example you run a marina or a non/not for profit organization, you may be required under the American's with Disabilities Act to provide ADA compliant access to the public. In addition to compliant general access to a slip or dock, a means of loading a person may be mandated. The hoist I referenced will meet the requirements as long as the slip as I said is compliant. The last part is the hardest to implement. There are rules that you might never think of. For example, if you have floating main docks and ramps, the slope of the ramp can not exceed a certain angle and depending on your tidal swing you may need a very long ramp or multiple to and fro ramps with intermediate platforms.
The fun thing about trying to change something (in this circumstance wheelchair access to my boat), you start learning all the issues related to the subject. I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I started thinking about this when I volunteered to take veterans out salmon fishing (Salmon for Soldiers). The boating world does not easily lend itself to ADA access.
The only way this is going to work is to put a lift on the boat and I need to find a local marina that has ADA compliant docks to meet people at.
Again thanks for all the input.
The only way this is going to work is to put a lift on the boat and I need to find a local marina that has ADA compliant docks to meet people at.
Again thanks for all the input.