Big Dog Boats

[OldSchool]

My wife and I are considering upgrading to a larger boat. We have a 1974 Pearson 30, to which we have strong sentimental attachments because its our first boat. We do a great deal of daysailing on Lake Travis in Texas but we have aspirations of cruising one day. While we used to do many overnights, that kind of dwindled when we got our hundred pound yellow lab. We aren't keen on having the dog aboard for fear of him falling off while under way- or just needing to be taken off the boat for walk. I haven't figured a way to get him on and off the boat while at anchor. We don't have a dinghy and even if we did it would be quite a trick.

I know that the admiral will be much more inclined to spend a night or two on the boat if she could bring the hound dog.

My ideal boat would be something 35-42 feet long with a swim platform that could be used to get the dog on and off. I've been looking around and it seems that the only boats that meet this are Hunters, Catalinas and Beneteau- but I don't like the lines nearly as much as my P30. We've ruled out cats because of put-in, haul-out and docking concerns.

So the questions are:

If you have a big dog- what type of boat do you have and how do you get mans best friend on and off.

Thanks.

David

[boris]

we have a rotty he jumps on the boat from the pontoon, He loves the boat and seams to get round the decks quite happliy, he gets up and down the companion way easily as well. We normaly only motor with him on board as i don't think he would handle sailing. we have a "sugar scoop" stern but we don't have a walk though transom I don't think we could get him in to a dinghy. The biggest problem is that never wants to leave!

[Charlie]

We have a 85 pound retriever. He does well getting into or out of the dinghy. We take him sailing and he has no problems when we are sailing. We put netting on the life lines for the kids and the dog. have you looked into adding aswim platform to the back of the boat. I don't know the Pearson 30 but many boat of that vintage had the square sterns where you could add a transom mounted swim platform that would allow the dog to get up that far and then he can jump over and into the cockpit. Also good for human swimming. Lots cheaper than a bigger boat.

[OldSchool]

I've not considered adding a swim platform to the back of the boat. I'll look into it. Does anyone make something that can bolt directly on or would it be a custom job. We are going to need a bottom job sometime this winter so that would be the time to do it. Excellent idea.

Thanks.

[Tom and Maje]

Does anyone know how great danes do on boats? We plan to take the dog and both cats when we begin to cruise.

Maje

[Talbot]

big dogs dont much like a boat when she is heeled over.

A catamaran provides the space and ease of access which a dog appreciates. If the cat has sugar scoops, that solves the getting on and off problem.

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by Talbot

big dogs dont much like a boat when she is heeled over.

A catamaran provides the space and ease of access which a dog appreciates. If the cat has sugar scoops, that solves the getting on and off problem.

What are sugar scoops?

Maje

[Talbot]

sugar scoops

[mangomuffins]

Old,

Dog overboard recovery system
The solution is simple...
build a small gangplank covered w/ carpet or nonskid and suitable flotation for one end [like a fender or two]
one or two trips up the plank and Rover will get the idea, If he falls overboard, stop the boat, put out the plank and voilla!! Also handy for doggy walks ashore in those beautiful Lake Travis coves.
worked for me.

mm

[Tom and Maje]

I didn't know that. Thank you.

Maje

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by Talbot

sugar scoops

We will need a faily wide plank for the dog. Great danes don't jump.

Maje

[svstrider]

Catamarans are ideal for big dogs. Kaspar, dalmatian / boxer doesn't like jumping in the water either. But if he knows a trip is in the offing, he will beat the rest of th crew into the RIB. Loading him is easy off the back of a cat. He has been known to jump into the dinghy even when it is hanging from the davits, as a hint that it is time to go ashore & chase seagulls.

The Admiral will also want to go sailing because everything stays where you place it on a horizontal surface and she can cook without wearing it.