Charles,
It makes me cringe to see people heaving themselves over the side decks of their boats. What a good way to force the bearers under the floorboards off the hull skin (either wood or plastic)!
Either I climb onto the foredeck and walk down the centreline or if the boat is at home I support the gunwales with a piece of timber and climb over the side.
Then I have been accused of being a bit fussy with my boat.