How do you board?

[AsLan7]

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I'm curious how folks here prefer to have others board their precious Cobalts.

Previously, on our 262, while at the dock, folks would:

remove their shoes
step onto the bow rider port seat
store their valuables & shoes in the designated location
find a seat


On our 263, that bow boarding method will not work due to the cuddy hull.
Plus we have to use caution now that our stainless arch also stores our wakeboards, skis, and kneeboards.

Thus, for the 263, my wife and I now step on the rear swim platform (the higher 1st one) if the dock and water level are fairly close to the boat height while boarding.

Or

If the dock is quite a bit above the boat, folks can step onto the sunpad to board which I have not done in the past. I just purchased a Cobalt carpet "welcome mat" with a rubber backing to lay down on the sunpad in order to protect the precious vinyl.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

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[cmattj]

The days of cringing as my friends swing a leg over the side and step on cushions are over..
I used rubber backed carpet bath mats for seats and sun pads..

Walk through is awesome.. non marring flips or slip ons only..
We don't have pillar docks on the delta but a I would only allow bare feet if the pad was to be used..

[AsLan7]

The days of cringing as my friends swing a leg over the side and step on cushions are over..
I used rubber backed carpet bath mats for seats and sun pads..

Walk through is awesome.. non marring flips or slip ons only..
We don't have pillar docks on the delta but a I would only allow bare feet if the pad was to be used..

..


Thanks Matt.

Sounds like we are on the same page.

As you can see by the pic below, stepping onto that 1st higher swim platform works very well. Our lake is quite high though so entry and exit are easy.

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[Driller]

I remove the starboard aft line and lower my hydrolift until the swim deck is level with the dock. Passengers step onto the swim deck, remove shoes, and into the boat.

I'm usually still on the dock and finish the launching then I follow the same process.

Remove the rest of the lines, and off we go.

[Ytmsn]

Same here. Shoes off, step onto the upper deck, store your stuff and set down. On my 240 we use the rear locker for shoe storage. Never will let anyone step over onto a seat, and probably not on a sunpad if I had one.

I have discovered I'm a Persnickitey Cobalt PITA and proud of it when it comes to respecting my boat and my captains rules!

[AsLan7]

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"I have discovered I'm a Persnickitey Cobalt PITA and proud of it when it comes to respecting my boat and my captains rules!"


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I'm getting more like that as well, T. I can totally relate.

[Big Block Power]

I used to be a crabby old man now I'm like what ever it's not worth getting crabby over and wrecking my day. So get in the boat and shut up and let's go. That's mine now. I have a black/Gray mat but if I leave it out in the sun it gets hot so it will burn your feet or I flip it over it will slide and someone is going in the drink or fall on their arse. Where I tie up at my brothers the back of the boat hangs past the dock, the sun deck is closer to the right height so most get on through that. I wish they used the walk through but it doesn't happen 90% of the time. The kids just jump in the bow. I could put caution tape around the whole boat and they would still find a cushion to step on. I quit. Shoes are off though. If I had a brand new boat I would be a wreck so used it is granted my 14 year old boat still looks like new inside and out.

[AsLan7]

"I used to be a crabby old man"
" so get in the boat and shut up and lets go. "

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Great to see you have progressed big block --

[NautiGirl]

This is one of the reasons we liked the side walked thru on our 222...easy on and off in the slip or tide up to houseboat... No jumping in on bow cushions or stepping in on the back cushions.... After years of no walk thru at all and everyone climbing in the boat over the back the walk thru is definitely a seat saver...even with no shoes on!

[Big Block Power]

This is one of the reasons we liked the side walked thru on our 222...easy on and off in the slip or tide up to houseboat... No jumping in on bow cushions or stepping in on the back cushions.... After years of no walk thru at all and everyone climbing in the boat over the back the walk thru is definitely a seat saver...even with no shoes on!

I agree. But no matter what I would Do my luck is it's always on the wrong side. I can't win. Right now I would need the walk through on the port side.

[AsLan7]

So far, utilizing the center walk thru transom with this Cobalt 263 seems to be working very well with all the tech's jumping on and off the boat.

[Tuscany]

I just offer dry towels as our guests swim up to board our boat..
Seriously, we tell guests to remove shoes and toss them in first. As long as shoes are off and feet are bare, we board it any which way is the easiest. Sometimes is the front cushion, but usually it's from the swim deck.

[Big Block Power]

I just offer dry towels as our guests swim up to board our boat..
but usually it's from the swim deck.

That's awesome. I could see this at the launch.

Hey did you forget your plug? No I'm getting in my boat
Throw me a towel and shut up
This dam northern water is cold

[Ytmsn]

Maybe a new option should be heated swimdecks for the northern market? Here is an idea Tuscany!

Screenshot_20170827-084500.png

[Tuscany]

We're tough up here. Mentally tough as nails.. after all, we are the home of the Buffalo Bills. If we can deal with that perennial disappointment and open assault on our mental sanity, then what's a little cold water?
This was Captain Ron coming aboard just yesterday.