Dogs and High Freeboard

[Jjk2783]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a good solution for getting a 72 pound Labrador Retriever in and out of a boat with high freeboard (no sugar scoop) from a hard-bottomed inflatable dinghy?

Thanks!

[slugsgomoo]

Sorry I don't have a more recent, or better photo (I think this is ~2005). The stairs fold up and can be secured along the lifelines when underway. Getting in & out of the dinghy at anchor is a breeze, and we definitely have high freeboard to contend with as well.

[Jjk2783]

Thank you. Are those homemade or can they be bought? (Nice Boat!)

[slugsgomoo]

In all honesty, I'm not sure if they were made to go with the boat, or if someone between '79-97 had them built before we got the boat.

I have seen other boats in the past with very similar step rigs, this has some pretty burly plates bolted into the side of the boat at the toe rail height, and then the side of the stairs rests against the teak rub-rail. The bottom step is supported by chains that are attached to a hook that's bolted through the gunwale.

[JPA Cate]

Think ahead to when the dog is older and less able. I'd think you could make a ramp, with cleats to prevent slipping, that you could use lines to fix to pad eyes on the boat. You could store it along the cabin top underway. Look at pictures of passerelles and boarding ramps to inform your thoughts. Maybe it could double as a fender board....

Ann

[Scrimshaw4]

A set of removable steps, ie 1-2 step rope ladder, that can be temporarily attached to the side boarding gate allows the dinghy to stay in synch with the mothership. This creates a more stable platform for the boat / dinghy transfer of people, gear and pets. A block and tackle hoist attached to the boom could then be used to transfer the dog using it's flotation harness. JMHO

[Nicholson58]

How is this? And don’t forget the UV protection.

[gap6126]

We always pulled the dinghy up the stern a bit to have our 80# Lab/Shepard mix jump in or out the Sailboat