"Preditor" Build...

[Wild Dingo]

I know Ive posted this over in "misc" but Ive a feeling some people dont go over there and I would like some help so Im posting in both areas...

Ive got a question... The group of "disabled" people Im with has decided that theyre going to start building this stitch and glue design by Tracy O'Brian and donated to us by a fellow forumite, in the New Year... hopefully starting in late January early February... as they figure to start easy and work up to the Simmons Sea Skiff after some experience, and have asked me if I can ask a couple of questions here.

So question 1 is... does anyone know of anyone who has built it?

Question 2 is... whats it like as far as seaworthiness goes?

Question 3 is... are there any websites with actual build comments or photos out there that any of you know of?

From my own point of view its going to be an "interesting" build... I have one small question that Ive probably already sort of answered as Ive thought about it... anyway the question is...

Can a side panel be changed to allow wheelchair access?

I was thinking that a section of the side panel near the transom being cut out and fitted with hydrolic lifts and heavy rubber seals could be incorporated in the build... any thoughts? any ideas? would or could this work?

We intend to locate some wheelchair runners and wheel clamps/chocks just behind the centre console with small bench type seating for other more mobile fishers along the bows toward the stern... intent is to take out 2 wheelchair fisherers at a time and a couple of amputees or others for a days fishing every now and then... but the wheelchairs bother us a bit so am in need of ideas and imput.

Thanks in advance

Take it easy
Shane

Oh if your wondering about the sanity of this... there is none! ... well okay... the fishing will be done in the semi protected waters of the Mandurah Estuary here in West Aussie... safety will be paramount and shore contact maintained at all times while out... some of our people cannot swim due to their "disabilities" but love to fish and love to build things and intend to build this and hopefully other boats...

A couple of words from some of the people I work with may help get your thoughts and imaginations working...

"a challenge is only a picture within my mind to be changed by altering framework of the challenge itself to meet my abilities"... Susie Launders age 17 paraplegic and Ability Plus member...

"Nothing can take away my ability to succeed at what I want to achieve except myself and the apathy and ignorance of others" John Burgess 35 Multiple Amputee and Ability Plus member...

"People say I cant do this or that, because Im not like they are. But they dont see what I can see, they dont have the vision that I have and they dont have the power I have within myself, because they have never needed it, one ounce of that power within myself or any other "disabled" person can change the world" Cliff Trelor 46 Blind Amputee and Ability Plus member...

"Together anything can be achieved, its a simple matter of changing the boundaries of what is "normal" to fit the environment we live and work in" Shane Eyre 44 Cirvical and Lumbar Spinal damage and Ability Plus member and wooden boat nut... oh and also a member of the gathering of some of the nicest people on the internet... the woodenboat forum

Take it easy
Shane

[This message has been edited by Wild Dingo (edited 12-22-2001).]

[videoguy]

I fully understand your problem my wife uses a wheelchair and fortunetly see can stand for short periods . I built a 20 foot dory she is able to get in when I pull it up on the launching ramp .thanks to its flat bottom. You might want to consider something like a garvy the bottom is almost flat so it would be stable when beached and it has a flat bow like a scow .It would be easy to add a ramp at the bow for loading wheelchairs

[whb]

Hi Shane,

Do the various members of your crew have special needs wheelchairs or are they the standard. If they are just standard chairs that you are going to lock into position you will be negating their ability to move. If so you guys may be better off designing some stationary fishing chairs that meet their needs. You may find a bosun's chair (modified for the purpose) on the mast to be a workable way of moving crew from dock to fishing chair. If your crew need restraints to stay upright there should be a very quick release on them. Should the boat get into trouble you don't want them tied to it, without an easy escape.

Howard

[wolfietuk]

I met an ex-coastie around here who was in a wheel chair. (He was in his early 60's) He had rigged his 36' with hand holds everywhere. Still did a lot of matainance himself. left the chair on the dock and pulled himself around. As for strapping a wheelchair in please think about floatation. A special seat may be better. There is also a handicapped divers assn. They use winches to get in and out. May be handy if someone goes overboard. Good luck and have fun

Rick

[Done Deal]

[QUOTE]
So question 1 is... does anyone know of anyone who has built it?
I have

Question 2 is... whats it like as far as seaworthiness goes?
Very good

Question 3 is... are there any websites with actual build comments or photos out there that any of you know of?
None that I am aware of

Can a side panel be changed to allow wheelchair access?
Tracy O'brien is very helpful, I am sure he would be willing to answer your question

[stef]

Hi Shane:

I have no comments on the design of the proposed boat.

You may try to contact a some what famous Canadian named Rick Hansen who was disabled in an accident as a teenager and has not let that stop him fishing. He probably has a good idea of boat access and safety equipment required for wheel chairs. Set your browser to www.rickhansen.com . He is quite active in spinal cord research and fisheries conservation and has not let his disability get in the way of his passion of fishing.

My daughter did a project on him for grade six history, we were in contact with his organization for information and additional research and found them to be quite helpful and knowledgeable(sp) on the issues on handicapped access and of course fund raising. It has made her, and us, more aware of the access disadvantages that handicap people face. The project was well recieved since she was able to include an autographed poster for the presentation.

Stefan

[ 05-13-2002, 05:02 PM: Message edited by: stef ]

[brian.cunningham]

http://fp.ssmarine.f9.co.uk/access1.htm

http://www.soundecoadventure.com/accessible.html

http://www.houseboat.net/wheelchair.html

The resulting product includes a host of user-friendly features and amenities, including:

a 36-inch gate section on the front deck adjusted to various heights,
a 3-by-8-foot ramp that slides out from underneath the front deck for shore access,
bathrooms with roll-under sinks, support bars and sitdown showers,
another roll-under sink and roll-under counter tops for the kitchen,
roll-under helm with easy-touch throttle controls, and
a 12-volt personal davit on the rear deck to assist on raising and lowering individuals in and out of the water or onto an accessory craft.

[skuthorp]

I used to do the Murray Marathon Shane, a 450K canoe race over 5 days and 2 better paddlers than me were a paraplegic guy built like the jolly green giant above his waist who could drink most under the table, rode a Harley trike and went on to paddle the whole length of the river. Then he went to the US and did the Mississippi.(?) The other bloke had one arm, wore a calliper with a special paddle fitting, got half the blisters of the rest of us and rode a bike round the Snowy Mountains for relaxation. Neither wore life vests. Dont underestimate anyone! I'd suggest that before they go afloat they have a few training capsises to get them used to being under water. My mum spent her last years in a wheelchair. We bought a waterproof one, gave her waterwings and wheeled her into the sea till she floated. We used to threaten to run her off the end of the pier! Good on yer Shane