If you love boating but find that physical impairment has made it more and more difficult to enjoy, Shipcrafters understands and has the talent and expertise to assist you in regaining the use of your vessel. Based upon your level of limitation, we can tailor solutions that will enable access and operation with safety and comfort. We have worked with a multitude of manufacturers to obtain the best available products while always keeping in mind that eventually the vessel may be sold, therefore doing minimum physical modification and maintaining the Owner's taste in decor. Our President built his first sailing vessel 55 years ago and has a wealth of marine knowledge based upon hands on learning. He is ready to apply this knowledge to solve your problems.

The only cutting modification to this 46' 1985 Bertram sportfisherman involved a cutout where the rotating post enters the side panel, and this 5" by 8" oval piece has been retained if there ever is a desire to restore the boat. Careful attention is paid to maintaining trim so as not to negatively impact performance. The old style ladder and bridge handrail were upgraded, but this was as much for appearance's sake as access. Input into the GPS plotter is through a hand held remote similar to a TV remote, and the boat is "steered" through a hand held autopilot "dodger". The physically disabled Captain sits on a specially made "ROHO" cushion that matches the fully power operated chair; it enables sitting for extended periods of time without concern for pressure sores. He is restrained with a seat belt for safety and the chair reclines (back lowers and feet raise) to a semi reclining position should that be required. The VHF radio has a remote control station in the saloon and in the cockpit that acts as an intercom if needed. An "aisle" chair similar to those used on aircraft allows access to the saloon area though the use of a folded aluminum ramp, easily storable, that uses the boarding step to hold it in an almost horizontal position. The Enabler can then place anyone directly into the chair for easy wheeling into the inside of the boat.