Getting in and out of our boats is often challenging, and I’m always looking and hoping for a better idea.  Two local entities have created great examples.  If you know of more, let me know and we can post them too.  Natural access points are sometimes friendly, and sometimes not at all, so here is what the parks folks came up with at Double Bayou Park access point, and at the Armand Bayou Nature Center.  Double Bayou is open to the public, but you must be on an official ABNC visit to use theirs.

Those of us who challenged the muddy slope at Double Bayou Park found it VERY difficult to get out of our boats and up the bank to shore.  Here is what the park folks have done to improve the access:

Above is much improved access from the bank.

Below is a slide for you, inside your boat, to slip into the water. Of perhaps you step out on the adjoining deck and then slide your boat up the ramp to take it back to your vehicle.

And below is how it all looks floating on the bayou.

An exploratory trip needs to be done;  can right-side-up entry to the water be achieved?  How hard is it to get down that slide with you and your gear inside the boat?  And how will it function in the reverse direction when you are attempting to land here and get out of your boat?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Below is the Armand Bayou Nature Center new dock.  Their sit-on-top kayak fleet was using it when I was there, presumably this works also for their canoes and perhaps an access point for the pontoon boat.

Here their guide has just launched a kayaker in his boat.  I noticed a considerable effort required to push the boat and boater off the launching dock.  It would presumably have been difficult to self-launch.

Above is the kayak and kayaker approaching the launching dock.

Stepping out of a canoe onto a dock is not difficult, but from a kayak, having to roll out of the boat or otherwise lift oneself up high enough to kneel or stand can be a little more challenging.  I know a lot of folks prefer to straddle the boat while standing in the water so the feet are lower than the bottom of boat.  All things to consider, what is your favorite ingress or egress setup?

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The author, Natalie Wiest