Hi. I am close to making an offer on a Catlina 22 but sailing with my dog is a big consideration. He's a Catahoula Leopard (State Dog of Loisiana), similar looks to Australian Shepard, loves swimming & etc and is approx 70 lbs. Am curious as to how to bring him on board after stopping to swim at a cove, and how other sailors (well, I'm a novice- haven't sailed in 15 years)handle weekend trips with their pets. Would appreciate any and all tips! Thanks.
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Shawn
Worth the trouble ???
Hi Lisa, My dog, an English Springer Spanial, likes to come aboard from time to time too. Getting him back on board after a swim can be tricky, a body harness with lifting strap helps, or if you have a swim ladder you can stand on the bottom rung and lift him over the transom. With a big dog like yours you could use the boom as a crane. Just attach the topping lift, push the boom out to the side and use the mainsheet tackle and a harness to lift him up and over the side. Cleaning up is the big chore. No matter how well I brush Bandit before an outing, his hair still seem to get every where and the smell of wet dog can linger in the cabin for days. Also, a dog's toe nails can scratch up a gel-coat or painted surface in short order. If your dog is a chewer, watch your teak wood carefully. When I take Bandit out it is only for short day sails, (no more than a couple hours) the sun and heat and the motion can be a lot harder on a dog than you might think , keep him well hydrated. The other reason I keep outings short is that I have'nt yet figured out how to get him to use the porta-potti. In short , taking a dog aboard can be rewarding, but is a big hassle. Is it worth the trouble??? Thats up to you, but if you feel about your dog the way I do about Bandit, then it's a labor of love. Best regards, Shawn
Hi Lisa, My dog, an English Springer Spanial, likes to come aboard from time to time too. Getting him back on board after a swim can be tricky, a body harness with lifting strap helps, or if you have a swim ladder you can stand on the bottom rung and lift him over the transom. With a big dog like yours you could use the boom as a crane. Just attach the topping lift, push the boom out to the side and use the mainsheet tackle and a harness to lift him up and over the side. Cleaning up is the big chore. No matter how well I brush Bandit before an outing, his hair still seem to get every where and the smell of wet dog can linger in the cabin for days. Also, a dog's toe nails can scratch up a gel-coat or painted surface in short order. If your dog is a chewer, watch your teak wood carefully. When I take Bandit out it is only for short day sails, (no more than a couple hours) the sun and heat and the motion can be a lot harder on a dog than you might think , keep him well hydrated. The other reason I keep outings short is that I have'nt yet figured out how to get him to use the porta-potti. In short , taking a dog aboard can be rewarding, but is a big hassle. Is it worth the trouble??? Thats up to you, but if you feel about your dog the way I do about Bandit, then it's a labor of love. Best regards, Shawn
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Bob Camarena
Our dog loves sailing.
We have a female border collie mix (about 65 lbs) who loves sailing. On trick we've learned is to use one of the seat cushion backs as a ramp to get in and out of the cabin (she doesn't like the ladder). When we go where she can swim we tow our inflatable dinghy. You can use that as an intermediate step to and from the water. The one thing we haven't been successful with (but we've read about it) is potty training them to a piece of astroturf. The 11pm and 5am dinghy trips to shore get a little old.
We have a female border collie mix (about 65 lbs) who loves sailing. On trick we've learned is to use one of the seat cushion backs as a ramp to get in and out of the cabin (she doesn't like the ladder). When we go where she can swim we tow our inflatable dinghy. You can use that as an intermediate step to and from the water. The one thing we haven't been successful with (but we've read about it) is potty training them to a piece of astroturf. The 11pm and 5am dinghy trips to shore get a little old.
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Don
Interesting Tip, Bob!
Often wondered how to get our 70lb. dog on and off board our Oday25. I also thought of a ramp to the dink. Its a long drop off the stern. Just was not sure how I would use it, or store such a large plank. Sure makes me crave a sugar scoop type stern. I have a 5' settee back that I could use, but I could see this landing in the drink and soaking the upholstery. I have heard of using the boom and dog harness, but never seen it done, and I suspect it would be a royal pain, and scare the dog. This dilemma has vexed me ever since I have had a boat and a dog. The last time I had her on board she hooked her toenail around a cleat and ripped her pad so bad I thought she would bleed to death. What a sight! Have not had her out since. Miss her on board though. Don
Often wondered how to get our 70lb. dog on and off board our Oday25. I also thought of a ramp to the dink. Its a long drop off the stern. Just was not sure how I would use it, or store such a large plank. Sure makes me crave a sugar scoop type stern. I have a 5' settee back that I could use, but I could see this landing in the drink and soaking the upholstery. I have heard of using the boom and dog harness, but never seen it done, and I suspect it would be a royal pain, and scare the dog. This dilemma has vexed me ever since I have had a boat and a dog. The last time I had her on board she hooked her toenail around a cleat and ripped her pad so bad I thought she would bleed to death. What a sight! Have not had her out since. Miss her on board though. Don
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Karen D
Salty Dog
My dog and I started sailing together last spring and my oh my, has he adjusted! He is 11 years old, weighs 20 pounds and hated the whole sailing experience at first. On our first rough trip with lots of heeling, etc. he wanted off the boat as soon as we moored and then ran away up the dock. I thought I had lost my dog. When I found him, he was sitting by the door to the car impatiently waiting to go home! I think most dogs will adjust to most anything. They just want to be with you. Take yours along sailing. You both have to make some sacrifices-like those extra trips into the woods, but it's good for both of you.
My dog and I started sailing together last spring and my oh my, has he adjusted! He is 11 years old, weighs 20 pounds and hated the whole sailing experience at first. On our first rough trip with lots of heeling, etc. he wanted off the boat as soon as we moored and then ran away up the dock. I thought I had lost my dog. When I found him, he was sitting by the door to the car impatiently waiting to go home! I think most dogs will adjust to most anything. They just want to be with you. Take yours along sailing. You both have to make some sacrifices-like those extra trips into the woods, but it's good for both of you.
Look for a boat with an open transom!
Look for a boat with an open transom. This is much easier for both you and your friend to board after swimming. I think that this is something that we would look for in a new boat regardless if we had a dog or not. PS: We have a standard size schnauzer and she hates the water.
Look for a boat with an open transom. This is much easier for both you and your friend to board after swimming. I think that this is something that we would look for in a new boat regardless if we had a dog or not. PS: We have a standard size schnauzer and she hates the water.
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Trevor
Lifejacket with handle helps
We always put a lifejacket on our dog when we leave the dock. Our salty dog is only 24 lbs (mini-Australian shepard), but the handle works great if we have to move the dog quickly or fish him out of the water with a boathook. Trevor
We always put a lifejacket on our dog when we leave the dock. Our salty dog is only 24 lbs (mini-Australian shepard), but the handle works great if we have to move the dog quickly or fish him out of the water with a boathook. Trevor
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Jennifer DeBruhl
Dog On Board
Our dog is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever (big time water dog), 9 months old and 65 lbs. She's been sailing for a few months now and we've learned a lot by trial & error. On the first trip out she jumped off the boat and into the water before we ever cranked motor. We use a harness and two 6' leads to tether her to the cleats on each side of the cockpit. This gives her the ability to sit on either side of the boat and hang her head over either side, but not jump out of the boat. The harness makes it easier to pull her out of the water when we do let her go over. Another useful tip, we usually spend the first hour at the marina playing fetch off of the boat ramp with a floating toy. By the time she hits the boat, she usually sleeps most of the sail! Even though it is challenging and requires some extra work, I wouldn't sail without my dog! Good luck!
Our dog is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever (big time water dog), 9 months old and 65 lbs. She's been sailing for a few months now and we've learned a lot by trial & error. On the first trip out she jumped off the boat and into the water before we ever cranked motor. We use a harness and two 6' leads to tether her to the cleats on each side of the cockpit. This gives her the ability to sit on either side of the boat and hang her head over either side, but not jump out of the boat. The harness makes it easier to pull her out of the water when we do let her go over. Another useful tip, we usually spend the first hour at the marina playing fetch off of the boat ramp with a floating toy. By the time she hits the boat, she usually sleeps most of the sail! Even though it is challenging and requires some extra work, I wouldn't sail without my dog! Good luck!
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Rob Rich
Just Did This...
I just went through this with my Labrador - 70lbs. She's a great dog and had a blast, but did need to acclimate. We attached a block and tackle to the end of the boom of my C-27. With the dog firmly strapped in her life vest (16 bucks at West), we attached a carbiner to the strap on top of her lifevest, hauled her up, swung her over the side of the boat, and lowered her into the water. Just like a load of bananas (which by the way, she exhibits the personality of sometimes). I waited in the water for her, unhooked her and swam to shore with her so she could do her thing. Then we swam back, I attached the carbiner, and my wife hauled her aboard. Worked great. The boat will require cleaning though - guarantee it. The dog's appreciation of spending time with you will be worth the "pain-in-the-ass factor". My guess is that it might be alot easier in a C-22 due to less freeboard. Best of Luck, Rob
I just went through this with my Labrador - 70lbs. She's a great dog and had a blast, but did need to acclimate. We attached a block and tackle to the end of the boom of my C-27. With the dog firmly strapped in her life vest (16 bucks at West), we attached a carbiner to the strap on top of her lifevest, hauled her up, swung her over the side of the boat, and lowered her into the water. Just like a load of bananas (which by the way, she exhibits the personality of sometimes). I waited in the water for her, unhooked her and swam to shore with her so she could do her thing. Then we swam back, I attached the carbiner, and my wife hauled her aboard. Worked great. The boat will require cleaning though - guarantee it. The dog's appreciation of spending time with you will be worth the "pain-in-the-ass factor". My guess is that it might be alot easier in a C-22 due to less freeboard. Best of Luck, Rob
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