swim platform for dog

[Rastarea]

We are working on our list of ''must have'' vs ''nice to have'' for our boat. It will be used in a couple of year for a 2 years sabatical in the carib.

Current debate is : is the swim platform a must have with a dog (40 pounds)? If you do not have it, how does he gets in-out of the dinghy?

Sylvain

ps: I like the IP35, but no sugar scoop on it!!

[Roy M]

Take a look at this site: Woops! It isn't being allowed, but if one looked at the new improved search engine for pawsaboard, I'm sure one would be pleased.

[Ex-Calif]

Well before you decide if a sugar scoop is a must have you need to decide if a 40 pound dog is a must have.

Cruising with pets internationally is a huge commitment. You compound that with a bigger animal.

If poochie becomes a must have then a boarding system for poochie is a must have.

The pet boarding ladder could be used. There may be a limit on how big (long) a boarding ladder you can stow/rig/manage.

This then limits freeboard.

Alternately you find a yacht with built in sugar scoops and a walk through transom.

Both of these may have implications on getting the boat pooped in a storm.

Or you subject poochie to a harness and boom hoist.

Now imagine when poochie is 13-14 years old. It is going to be extra tough on poochie at that time.

I have seen many big dogs in advancing years - I would suggest getting on and off a boat - especially from a dinghy - is not something they need to be doing. Maybe a mediterranean mooring gangway...

We had friends with a 14 y/o Akita that couldn't do 2 steps out the back yard to do her business. She became quite incontinent and in pain and eventually it was humane to put her to sleep. There is no way she could have done a boat in her last 2 years.

Please consider all of the above random connected thoughts and no judgements on anyone.

[Fishspearit]

I think the point Dan is missing is that for some people a dog is just a dog, for others they are family members. I've had a dog my whole life, and I always will have a dog with me. Countries that make it difficult to enter with a dog... are countries I don't go to. C'est le vie, or whatever it is the french say.

Most cruising dogs wear harnesses, and not the usual around-the-neck-only collars. It gives them a good handle for lifting and fishing out of the water on occasion.
40# isn't really all that heavy. I would just plan on lifting him in and out. Same weight as a 5 gallon Jerry can, and you'll be lifting plenty of them out of the dinghy onto the deck.

[Ex-Calif]

We have a 52 pound shepherd/chow mix. She is definitely part of the family. I was just trying to explore the considerations.

Skipping countries is a great option.

For our Coco, she would definitely have to be winched or a ladder.

Here is a shot of her a little distressed, during visiting hours after 5 weeks in quarantine ;-(

[Rastarea]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Well before you decide if a sugar scoop is a must have you need to decide if a 40 pound dog is a must have.

Alternately you find a yacht with built in sugar scoops and a walk through transom.

Both of these may have implications on getting the boat pooped in a storm.

The dog we already comited to and is now only 2 years old. And it comes with my better half (and I will not leave her home...).

What do you mean by ''getting the boat pooped in a storm''???

Thanks for your comments.

Sylvain

[Sunspot Baby]

Syl:

See this site for my thoughts A_Serious_Look

There are some good threads on this forum about getting the dog to and from the boat. A quick search will turn up lots of good info.

George

[trinescape]

we have a jack russel cross and being a smallish dog you would think that he would be easy to lift in and out of dingy but being a wriggle butt it not an easy task you really need a fool proof system to get poochy aboard and imagine if its lumpy and the dingy is pitching around having said that we wouldnt be with out our dog as you said they become part of the family good luck
andy

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Rastarea

What do you mean by ''getting the boat pooped in a storm''???

In a following sea the waves can come over the aft end of the boat. The design of the aft end of the boat can have a big impact on how much this happens.

[S/V Antares]

Lucy is 36 lbs and easy to lift in and out of the water. Make sure you have a harness that your dog is balanced in and well supported. We do not have a doggie ladder as we want to be in control when she goes in and out of the water. We have pretty high freeboard and Lucy can jump easily from the Dink to the deck on the side gate. It took a day or so of practice to get her to leap from the dink seat.

Dirty paws? we just hang her feet just in the water and she goes into a swiming mode and washes them.

I share the opinions of others here about Pet Entry issues. Plan your trip well or stay in the Bahamas where they are reasonable about this issue.

[Rastarea]

Thanks Will & Muffin..guest that the better half will have to find something else to justify that ''suggar scoop'' she likes !!!

But, ya know, ''happy wife = happy life'' HAHAHA

Syl