Adaptive Technologies
BAADS uses a variety of equipment to make sailing fun and safe for as many people as possible.
Our Boats
Our dinghy program uses Access Dinghies, which are specifically designed for stability and rigged to be sailed solo even by those with severe disabilities.
Our keelboats incorporate features to make everyone on board safe and secure, including special seats and straps.
To get people with mobility impairments on and off board, BAADS uses hoists:
BAADS uses servo systems, so that boats can be operated by joystick by people with significant physical disabilities.
Sailing Seat
Credit goes to Dan Sullivan for his leading role in the design of this seat.
This seat was adapted from a race car bucket seat to provide back support to sailors with disabilities with limited trunk stability.
Benefits
The molded race car seat provides very good back support and upper body stability thanks to a five point harness system.
The seat can easily be removed and reinstalled as needed.
The seat is mounted on a swiveling post allowing the person to rotate and face either across the boat, to hold the tiller for example, or face forward.
Installation
An “access port” is installed on the cockpit seat. The “access port” is opened when you wish to install the seat.
A pedestal similar to a mast step is installed under the “access port”. A post is attached to the base of the seat.
The seat is simply mounted on the receptacle on the floor of the boat. The lap belts and shoulder straps are attached to D — rings installed in the appropriate position.
When the seat is removed, the “access port” is secured. Consequently, the boat is back to normal for use without the seat.