LateToFIRE
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2023
- Messages
- 1,171
What a topic ~ these stories are incredible and I'm struck by how each of you/us have ladder tales... often deadly
It made me think of a few of my friends over the years who have had similar situations ... Friend #1 cleaning leaves from gutters fell & broke his hip, Friend #2 climbing makeshift ladder to get coconut out of tree and fell on her pruning shears with a gash in her leg needing stitches; Friend #3 with the deadly combo of chainsaw and ladder in tree fell and sawed open his thigh (barely survived that one).
Now, here I sit in on our sailboat/home in a marina, having just been put back in the water after being on the "hard" doing boatwork. We had to live onboard the boat on land for a few weeks (usually we avoid it by renting apartment).
We need to use a ladder to get on and off the boat on land. In the photos, you can see the wooden ladder on our back stern to the right. There are also neighbor's ladders back there, plus scaffolding and boat blocking visible, a typical boatyard scene. Pleasantly surprised I haven't seen more boatyard incidents.
I was so cautious getting on and off the boat. Felt pretty ancient going so slow, but as sailors we know how much one mistake or slip can be deadly serious. I have yet to go up the 64' mast on a halyard, but that's also a necessary part of sailboat maintenance and my husband does that (doesn't like it).
Thank you for the boatyard picture and stories. I have many fond memories of that.
I think you won't hear as many ladder stories from there, because just the practice of boating requires "sea legs".
Just walking down a floating finger pier freaks a lot of landlubbers out. It is an acquired taste/skill to head off on a wobbly platform with an armful of gear.
Was just about to say this - sailing is in and of itself, an exercise in agility. Sanding/painting the bottom (photo), now THAT is a labor of love.