Using the Rudder as a Boarding Step

Ed McChain, Thistle #47 was curious if the rudder could be used as an emergency step to get back aboard. As the series of photos shows, it can. The reverse traverse over the rub rail is easier if the exhaust pipe is used as a second step. Pushing up from the exhaust pipe allows you to get a knee over the rub rail. From there it's an easy scamper over the cap rail. Because the 'steps' are narrow and sharp, shoes are almost mandatory to successfully pull off this boarding maneuver.