Where to purchase adaptive boating equipment for sailors with a disability

Hoist process step 1 - the sailor has arrived already sitting on the sling (see black fabric hanging over back of wheelchair) and the spreader bar can be attached © Magnus Smith

Several organisations have contributed their knowledge regarding where to purchase adaptive sailing equipment such as seats for dinghies and hoists for wheelchair users to get into boats.

We are attempting to host this information, and keep it updated, but you may also want to visit adaptivesailingequipment.com as they have good resources too.

This is not an endorsement of any of the products below; YY Online Services Ltd is not responsible for the outcome of using any of these products. Rather we are sharing the information that one or more sailors/clubs have tried this equipment.

If you know of another manufacturer/retailer then please get in touch so we can share that information!

Seating - sailing seats suitable for dinghies and keelboats

Manufacturer	Sellers/dealers worldwide	Example photo
Tillett Racing make go-kart and car racing seats in the UK, but are aware that sailors occasionally purchase these. The simplest/cheapest seats can be seen at www.tillett.co.uk/category/kart-racing-seats (these start at GBP 153, but other products can be GBP 1000 for fancy carbon fibre sports cars!). We hear that seat components deal well with seawater. Be aware that some DIY (home-made) effort is required to work out how to fit these to the boat of your choice.	See the Tillett dealer page for contact details. Europe: UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, Czechia, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Turkey, Luxembourg Americas: USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia Far East: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, South Korea Oceania: Australia, New Zealand Africa: South Africa	photo © Tillett Racing
KAPE Boatworks in Canada make seats for the Martin 16, which may be suitable for other craft too. One is called the KAPE Seat and there is another model. The side supports are adjustable in height and width. It can have a headrest.	Canada and the USA only (sold direct, no dealers)	photo © KAPE Boatworks
Hansa Sailing Systems make two types of seat for the Hansa class. Their hard seat (see right of this photo) provides good support around the body for those who have poor core strength to hold themselves upright. Note the Hansa class usually has a loose fabric seat that simply hangs between two bars (see left of this photo) so you do not always need the hard seat.	Available worldwide direct from the manufacturer in Australia, or via a dealer network in certain countries
Hansa Sailing Systems make two types of seat for the Hansa class. The photo here shows a padded version which has less wrap-around support than the hard seat shown above.	Available worldwide direct from the manufacturer in Australia, or via a dealer network in certain countries	photo © Magnus Smith
SV14 seats include the 'para' and 'quad' versions and may suit other vessels too (note there is an optional tilting mechanism)	Parts for the SV14 are available in many countries - get in touch with the manufacturer, Far East Boats in Shanghai	photo © Guy Nowell / Phuket King's Cup
Hobie 16 cats fitted with a 'Trapseat' are sometimes sailed by those with limited mobility, as is the Hobie Tandem Island (a sailing canoe with outriggers). See Trapseat details or a video of Hobie Trapseat Championships	Hobie dealers cover most of the world, but there are no official builders of the seat modification	photo © ISAF
White Formula make seats for the Challenger class	Sold in the UK - contact builder to enquire about worldwide	photo © Magnus Smith

There are also flat bench style drop-in seats (essentially a thwart!) which some sailors can use to slide from one side of the boat to another, but we do not have any information on manufacturers/retailers.

Occasionally a custom home-made seat design is detailed online - see the Sliding Mid-Boat Seat for the Sonar, or the Crew Transfer Seat for the J/70, both made by Gene Hinkel.

It is worth mentioning the Weta trimaran: almost any kind of seat can be fitted. You simply tie your seat to the existing eyelets.

Hoists (lifts) - suitable for jetties/pontoons, to lift sailors into boats

Sometimes known as a 'Hoyer lift', you can search for retailers of 'patient lifts' in your area. However, most sailing clubs would need a 'pool lift' (rather than anything on castors). There will be many companies selling these. Below are just a few examples we have heard about from sailors.

There will be regulations in your country about how often hoists must be checked and certified by a professional body.

Manufacturer	Sellers/dealers worldwide	Example photo
Oxford lifts are made by Joerns in the UK The Dipper model is great because it is so simple and cheap. Not much to go wrong! Made in stainless steel since they are often used at swimming pools too.	UK dealer network (Other countries need to call +44 1905 842 211 to see if they are covered)	photo © Magnus Smith
Aqua Creek Products make the EZ2 Pool Lift which some sailing clubs use. Their latest range has solar power to top up batteries, which is ideal if you want a powered lift on a dock instead of a manual one.	The company is based in Montana, USA, and claim to have hundreds of distributors, dealers and contractors throughout the world. You have to fill out a contact form to find out more than that.	photo © Aqua Creek
CrewLift is more heavy duty and has a much longer reach than other hoists mentioned here, so may be suitable for keelboats. Caley Marina also make an even bigger electric hoist which has a reach of 3 metres! (Not pictured)	Made in Scotland.	photo © Caley Marina
Hereford Hoist is a hand-operated hydraulic hoist which can be supplied with a base unit to fit almost any type of pontoon system.	Made in the UK by Pontoon & Dock, but they can sell globally.
Hansa Sailing Systems make a winch-powered hoist called C-Crane for sailing clubs	Available worldwide direct from the manufacturer in Australia, or via a dealer network in certain countries	photo © Magnus Smith
Hansa Transfer dock made by Sawford Marine in the UK is for the Hansa class, but might also work for other small boats. It is a small floating area with a hoist, accessible via wheelchair ramp. You can also purchase the Hansa C-Crane hoist separately.	UK, and possibly elsewhere

Slings - different slings can be used with each hoist, depending on the sailor

Be aware you may also wish to purchase a spreader bar, to connect the hoist to the sling without squashing the sailor!

There will be regulations in your country about how often slings must be checked and certified by a professional body.

Manufacturer	Sellers/dealers worldwide	Example photo
A 'crane sling' designed for a winch-operated hoist (good for jamming under someone who is already sitting in their wheelchair, as it is firm and has a small area, but less comfortable than larger slings). These are suitable for bodies with good core strength. Sailmakers sometimes make these. One example is Cygnus in the UK.	Europe: UK (Possibly other countries)	photo © Magnus Smith
A 'soft sling' for hoisting sailors into boats (more comfortable and more supportive than smaller slings, but a faff to get it under your body whilst already sitting in the wheelchair). If a sailor cannot hold themselves up well in a wheelchair, they need this fully enclosed support. Made by Silvalea in the UK. The Oxford Quickfit is made by Joerns.	Sold direct in the UK, and via a network of distributors elsewhere in the world.	photo © Magnus Smith

Steering and sheeting solutions - tillers/mainsheets operated by hand/mouth from a forward-facing seat

Manufacturer	Sellers/dealers worldwide	More information
RS Sailing sell an 'Electro Pack' for their Venture Connect SCS model	RS have a network of worldwide dealers - contact them to find out
Hansa Sailing Systems sell a servo tiller rope system for the Hansa class. See their 'Shop' section on their website, and go to the 'Accessories' category.	Worldwide direct from manufactuer
Martin 16 power-assist systems sales and service are now being provided by Steve Alvey (instead of the original boat builder)	May be limited to Canada	[no further information]
Electric servo-motors help people to operate the mainsheet and helm, and can be operated by small joysticks, switches or sip/puff controllers. Sawford Marine may be able to help with these.	UK, possibly elsewhere	[no further information]

One example of a home-made solution is Sonar Joystick/Sip n Puff Steering by Gene Hinkel and Steve Alvey.

Hulls/boats/rigs - new boat sales and builders

Other equipment

There are no known specialist lifejackets or buoyancy aids for certain disabilities. Standard buoyancy equipment is used, but choosing the right option for fit and support is crucial. It all depends on a person's movement, strength, if they can support their head well, and whether they will panic in the water or lie back and trust in the process.

Search online for 'beach wheelchair' if you are struggling to get sailors across sand or shingle to a launching spot.

Towing boats around the club, where cars cannot reach, is often achieved by a 'caravan mover' or electric trailer with a towbar mount.

Sliding on your bottom from jetty to a dinghy is facilitated by a 'transfer board' or 'transfer box'. Usually clubs make these themselves from plywood.

Seating in boats is often hard wood or fibreglass, which is not tolerable for certain sailors - add padding such as a yoga mat.

Add grab handles/bars (even rope loops) where possible, so a sailor can stabilise themselves with their arms, if their legs cannot fulfil that role.

Sailors who need to be strapped in their seat should have a quick-release mechanism on the belt, marked in some way to make it very easily identifiable in an emergency.

Blind or partially sighted sailors may benefit from audio countdown timers (such as the Optimum Time OS series 14) and audio compasses (such as the Tacktick special model made by Raymarine).

Hansa sailors can view a list of permissions granted by the international rules committee for custom modifications to seating/steering/sheeting - these may give ideas to other sailors.

Get in touch

To notify the author of errors/omissions, or make requests for future articles, please email

See also

Our series of articles on inclusive sailing includes:

• How sailors with a disability get into a dinghy
• Seating and steering options

We also have many reports on racing events that include sailors with a disability.

WOOD 101 and 152 dinghies are made by the UK's Disabled Sailors Association - photo © Mike Wood