Wanting to Modify a Mono Hull Yacht for Wheelchair Access

[tspeer]

Originally Posted by COOL Mobility

...
I intend to modify a 28' to 32' yacht to have rear entry wheelchair access to cockpit and a lift to access cabin area. I need limited heel so need a heavy keel, reduced size rig and wide hull (over 3m beam). Will be installing hydraulic steering on starboard side of cabin back....

I know you said your marina doesn't have multihull facilities, but a Farrier trimaran will fold up to fit into a normal slip. More than once, I've found it's been the difference between getting into a marina or having to anchor out. The distance between the dock and the cockpit is what I've seen is the major obstacle to getting a paraplegic aboard a trimaran, and folding brings the main hull close to the dock.

But, given that you've said you want a monohull, are you sure a wheelchair is really compatible with the boat? I've had a lot of discussions with a friend who's a paraplegic (almost a quad) about sailboat access, and we've never seriously considered a wheelchair. We've kicked around a lot of ideas about how we might use something like a hang-glider harness to suspend him from a halyard. Or use the boom to lift and traverse him aboard. The harness could be transferred to a traveler car mounted on the underside of the cabin roof to allow him to move within the cabin.

We've never got to the point of actually implementing anything, though.

[COOL Mobility]

Hi Tspeer

The wheelchair won't be used on board but I'll be swinging onto yacht in a harness on the boom. Then I'll have a GRP seat that will then swing into a crew or skipper location for sailing. To access the cabin, I'll again connect hoist onto boom and lower onto seat inside cabin.

A folding tri concept has been discussed with another boat designer but current costs and desire to Club Race has precluded that option at the moment.

[tonyflinn]

Hi Cool,

I've bought a Bavaria 38 and will modify her for a paraplegic sailor (me). It was interesting reading about your approaches. Have you been able to fit a lift? do you have a design for the gymballed seat?
thanks
Tony

[COOL Mobility]

A Bavaria 38, NICE...I'm jealous.

I've got the seat half made, chanfged my design from gimballing as I felt it may be unstable (not good for our balance) to one that can roll from side to side (leward or windward, depending on sailing conditions, and then with a swivel seat base attached to GRP seat shell at an angle to allow canting and facing forwards.

Yet to build frame to mount in yacht yet but that will happen soon. New design will be easier to adapt to existing yachts too, (I hope).

Swing in off boom topping lift and sliding track under boom allows sliding down boom into cabin. Use a portable electric hoist but you'd probably be fine with a set of blocks with cleat to lower.

Happy safe sailing.

Colin from Oz

[SuperYacht]

I thought you might be interested to know about a one-of-kind wheelchair accessible yacht, called "Uri".

The Uri is a true blue-water motorsailer, uniquely designed to be operated and enjoyed by a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, and it was conceived and commissioned by a paraplegic.

For photo and more information about this state-of-the-art super-yacht please contact me or visit our website: http://wheelchairsailing.com/


Warm regards,

Michelle