Water doesn't forgive mistakes, and the first thing a beginner encounters after buying a boat is the moment of landing. GIMS statistics are relentless: a significant proportion of accidents, including overturns and falls overboard, occur in the immediate vicinity of the shore or berth. Incorrect weight distribution at the critical second of entry can be fatal, especially if it is a question of whether you are talking about the water or the water. small-size craft with a narrow bottom.
Many people think that getting into a boat is an intuitive act, and it doesn't require preparation. algorithmWhether you're on a floating pier, a sandbank or a steep clay cliff, the physics of the process remains the same: the center of gravity must always remain inside the perimeter of the hull's stability, and ignoring this rule often leads to property loss and injury.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the techniques of landing in inflatable and metal vessels, consider the nuances of working with outboard motors and give practical tips for stabilization. survival water that must be brought to automaticity.
Sustainability Physics and Center of Gravity
Before we get to practical action, we need to understand the basic principles: a boat, especially a narrow or inflatable one, has a limited metacentric height, which means that when a passenger's weight is shifted beyond the projection of the board, the boat gets rolled, which can become unmanageable. Centre of gravity The passenger boat system should always aim at the diametric plane.
Inflatable models PVC They have soft sides that, when pressed, bend, giving the illusion of a support that is not there, and unlike the rigid case of aluminum "kazak" where you can lean on your knee, you can not lean on the side in aspirationally, any sudden movement or jerk disturbs the balance, and the water is closer than expected.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to get your balance by grabbing the top of the outboard motor or the hanging ends of the anchor shaft, which are not designed to be human-weighted and can come off, causing the boat to fall into the water.
Stability also depends on loading. An empty boat has less draft and is more susceptible to wind demolition and lateral wave than a loaded one. So if you're landing alone, do it as close as possible to the wind. diaphragmwithout moving sharply to any of the sides.
Before landing, always check whether the ends of the mooring are securely secured. If the boat is blown away by the wind at the moment when one leg is on board and the other on shore, there is no avoiding a fall.
Preparation for landing: inspection of equipment
A successful and safe landing begins long before you put your foot on board, and the first thing you need to do is prepare the boat and the mooring site, and if the boat is on the wave, it's impossible to lean on it sustainably, and you need to pull the boat to the shore or the pontoon and fix its position.
Use it. mooring-pointYou can use a boat that is tied to your bow or stern handle to control your distance. Don't hold the boat with your hands alone, because if you snatch or slip, you can let the boat out of your hands. coatboard There are no sharp objects inside the cockpit that you can trip or cut yourself on when landing.
- 🛶 Make sure that the floorboards in the inflatable boat is leveled and does not have humps, which can cause a leg to turn.
- 🛶 Make sure that oars or kunduks do not block the way to the seats (banks).
- 🛶 Remove shoes with metal spikes or dirt that can damage cylinders PVC Or slide on an aluminum bottom.
- 🛶 Place the load so that it does not move when you enter the cockpit.
Pay special attention to clothing. Slippery raincoats or shoes on a smooth sole significantly increase the risk of falling. protectorIf you are landing from the shore, make sure that there are no slippery grass or stones under your feet.
Techniques of landing from the shore and pier
The most common scenario is to enter a boat from a low bank or a wooden pier, and it's important to follow the three-point rule here: two hands and one leg, or two legs and one hand — at any given time, you should have at least three contacts with stable surfaces. Don't try to jump into the boat from a runaway, it's a surefire way to turn the boat over.
Stand with your back to the direction of the boat (if you get off the pier) or sideways (if from the shore). coamingsSlowly transfer the weight of the body to the hands, while placing the foot in the middle of the bottom or on the bank, if the design allows. Only after making sure that you are stable, transfer the second leg.
☑️ Safe landing algorithm
If the boat is above the level of your legs (for example, a high pier), act the other way around: first sit on the edge of the pier, lower your legs into the boat, find a stop, and only then, holding on to the sides, lower the body down. scoop - scooping water on board.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to cross the side holding one hand to a tree or pier and the other to a boat. At the time of weight transition, the body is in an unstable position, and the distance between the supports can suddenly increase, leading to a fall between the boat and the pier.
Landing in a boat from water and shallow water
So the situation where the boat is standing on the water, and you have to climb up from the shallow water, is one of the most difficult, because there's no solid support, and the boat can move freely under the influence of your actions. centre As low as possible.
Go up to the boat level with the cockpit. Hold your two hands firmly on opposite sides or the transom and bow to lock the boat between your legs. Don't lean all the weight on one side. Smoothly, without jerking, bring one leg across the side, trying to step exactly in the middle of the bottom or on the stringer (longitudinal beam), if the design of the boat allows.
| Type of boat | Point of support during landing | Risk of rollover | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable PVC | Mid-beam (Kilson) | High (soft side) | Sit only in the center, without touching the cylinders. |
| Aluminum (flat bottom) | transom banks | Medium (hard board) | You can lean knee-to-side for stability. |
| Keel metal | Midline of the bottom | Tall (narrow body) | It requires perfect balance, sit down quickly. |
| Floating pontoon | Any sustainable part | Low. | Watch the height of the wave between the pontoon and the boat |
Once the first leg has positioned, squat immediately, lowering the center of gravity, which stabilizes the boat better than any word, then move the second leg gently and take the position on the boat. bank If there are other people in the boat, they should shift to the opposite side beforehand, offsetting your weight.
What if the boat started to sail at the time of landing?
If you feel the boat is going out from under you, never take a sharp step in pursuit. It is better to lose your balance and fall into the water next to it (in a life jacket!) than to try to jump on the move and flip the boat. The boat is always easier to pick up from the water than to pump out an inverted one.
Features of landing with an outboard motor
The presence of an outboard motor makes its own adjustments to the process. The motor is a heavy load mounted on a transom that changes the weighting significantly. When landing the stern, you can't allow a strong differentiation on one side, because the lever from the motor can increase roll. In addition, the motor itself is a source of increased danger.
Never use the gas handle (or gas handle).pulp) or the motor itself as a support point when entering the boat, the mounting mechanism may not support the weight, or you accidentally pull. safety-checkIt's a risk of causing a sudden jerk or a motor stop if it's started, and it's also a risk of injuring your hands against a lower unit or a screw.
- 🚤 Before landing, make sure the motor is securely fixed in an upright position or raised if the situation permits.
- 🚤 Do not step on the tiller cable if it passes through the cockpit - this can cause it to break or accidentally add gas.
- 🚤 When boarding a boat with electric motor monitor the position of the battery box so as not to crush it or displace the terminals.
If the engine is already running (which happens in short-term parking), make sure that the safety check is on the helmsman's vest, and does not hang loosely, clutching on clothes. Clothing with long hanging elements (laces, belts) when landing next to the rotor is a direct path to tragedy.
The rule of thumb when you have a motor is never to rely on it and never let your clothes come into contact with a lower unit. The motor is the source of traction, not the handrail.
Balancing and distribution of goods
The proper landing is only half the battle, and once all the passengers and cargo are in the boat, you need to properly distribute the weight. differentiator (vessel tilt along the diametric plane) and roll (tilt across) directly affect driving performance and safety, an overloaded nose will lead to burrowing in the wave, and an overloaded stern will lead to loss of handling and risk of water flooding.
Heavy objects such as anchors, batteries and gear boxes should be positioned as low and close as possible to the diametric axis. Passengers should sit on banks, not on boards. PVC Sitting on cylinders reduces stability and increases the risk of puncture. In metal boats, sitting on boards is dangerously shifting the center of gravity upwards.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to change seats or move on the boat while driving, especially at high speed or at high wave. Any movement should be made only while quietly or standing, with the obligatory warning of other passengers.
If you're driving the boat alone, sit right in the center of the transom jar or in the seat that's designed, and moving sideways when the engine is running can cause the boat to roll on board under the propeller's thrust, and in these cases, experienced drivers sometimes shift slightly in the direction opposite to the rotor, but this should be done with extreme caution.
How to deal with the roll in a strong wind?
If the wind blows into the side and the boat is very heeling, don't try to compensate for this with sudden movements. It's best to lie down on the bottom of the boat along the diametric axis, reducing the center of gravity as much as possible, this will increase stability and reduce sailing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Analysis of rescue operations shows that most landing incidents are due to banal carelessness. safetyOne of the most common mistakes is to jump into a boat in shoes with smooth soles, which on wet board or bottom leads to slipping.
Another common mistake is ignoring the weather, and in high winds or high waves, the landing technique has to change, you can't jump into a swinging boat at a runaway, you have to wait for the relative calm of the water, or you have to use a partner to hold the boat, and you often make the mistake of overloading one side with gear before landing, which makes the boat unstable from the start.
- 🚫 Mistake: Jumping into a boat from a height, consequence: Leg injury, underside damage, tipping over.
- 🚫 Mistake: Lack of life jacket when landing, consequence: High risk of drowning when falling into water, especially in cold water or in the presence of a current.
- 🚫 Mistake: Getting into a boat while drunk, consequence: Loss of coordination and response, which in 90% of cases ends in falling overboard.
Remember, water is an environment where errors are harder to correct than on land. lifejackets And soberly assessing your capabilities is a guarantee that your fishing or your walk will end well. Always treat the boat as a mechanism that requires respect and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get on a boat in a life jacket?
Not only is it possible, but it is needed. A life jacket is a must-have. Modern vests don't inhibit movement and allow you to get into the boat freely. If you fall overboard, it's the vest that will help you stay afloat while you try to get back on the boat or you're picked up.
What if the boat overturned on landing?
The key is not to panic. If you're in a vest, hold on to the side of an upside down boat. Don't try to climb straight up on top of an upside down hull unless it's a special self-rescue technique that you've been trained to do, better stick to the side, keep warm and strong, and call for help, or try to flip the boat if the strength and construction of the vessel allow.
How to safely transfer cargo to the boat?
The cargo should be transferred only when the receiver is already sitting steadily in the boat. Heavy objects (anchors, motors, batteries) are transmitted last, lowering them to the bottom of the boat, not throwing them.
Do I need to take off my shoes when boarding an inflatable boat?
Remove the shoes completely is not necessary if they do not have heels or spikes, but it is better to use special soft shoes (swamps, slippers for water) so as not to damage. PVC You better take off your dirty shoes so you don't get the bottom and the seats dirty.
How many people can get on a boat at the same time?
You have to get passengers one at a time, and if you land multiple people at a time, you're going to shift the center of gravity dramatically and you're going to have a dynamic load, which is almost guaranteed to tip over, and you're going to land one, you're going to take a seat, you're going to stabilize the boat, and then you're going to land the next one.