[C320-list] Surgery

[Chef Adam Weiner]

I am having surgery on my bone under my Achilles tendon on Friday.  I found
out from the doctor yesterday that I will probably be in a fairly major cast
for 8 to 10 weeks.

Now, since there are many people on the list who are elderly like me, I was
trying to figure out which of the handicap systems available work better on
the boat.

Edson has a system that uses a sort of windlass between the wheel and
pedestal with a boom involved for lifting people off of the dock and
swinging them onto the boat.

Both Harken and Grauheur have a manual ratchet style chair that attaches to
the companionway ladder for going up and down between cabin and deck.
Harken's pivots 180 degrees for easily getting on and off but is much more
expensive.  There is also the electrical version which uses wheel chair
batteries.

What has everyone else's experience been with these devices?  

Do you recommend the Catalina Parts department, buying direct, or Defender?
SailNet doesn't seem to have the products.

Adam