I own 2 older large dogs. They are Gordon Setters, and run 70 and 90 #'s. I want to have them with us on the boat, but am having a hard time figuring out how to get them on and off. The old girl is starting to have hip problems and cannot leap up and down stairs. I was thinking about building a "sling" and using a block and tackle with a wide "strap" over the boom to lift them up and down. My questions are: 1. Will the boom be able to handle that kind of load? 2. What other ideas have you used to get your dogs on and off.
Big Dogs on board
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ramp
i too have a golden retriever. My problem is not so much how to get a large dog on board from a dock but how to pull one into the boat in case the dog decides to jump for a swim away from the dock. Have you considered constructing a simple ramp? As far as keeping the dogs on board, I've decided not to risk anything and instlall life netting all around.
i too have a golden retriever. My problem is not so much how to get a large dog on board from a dock but how to pull one into the boat in case the dog decides to jump for a swim away from the dock. Have you considered constructing a simple ramp? As far as keeping the dogs on board, I've decided not to risk anything and instlall life netting all around.
woodworking is not a problem
The ramp is not a problem, it all depends on what the marina permits. I am more concerned with getting them up and down from the cockpit.
The ramp is not a problem, it all depends on what the marina permits. I am more concerned with getting them up and down from the cockpit.
Love Those Dogs!
Buy life jacket for your dogs, they tire quickly in the water. Buy the type that have a "handle" on the back, this will be of great help then trying to get an "overboard" dog into a sling and back onboard. Using a sling and the boom as a crane is an excellent idea. Rig a block out on the boom and run a line to a winch. Also, use a plastic grass door mat with line attached, placed at the rear of the cockpit for the dogs to do their "job" on. Afterwards just toss the mat overboard to clean it. I know this may not be the most enviornmentally sound method.....but try teaching your dogs to use a porta-potti! Good Luck!
Buy life jacket for your dogs, they tire quickly in the water. Buy the type that have a "handle" on the back, this will be of great help then trying to get an "overboard" dog into a sling and back onboard. Using a sling and the boom as a crane is an excellent idea. Rig a block out on the boom and run a line to a winch. Also, use a plastic grass door mat with line attached, placed at the rear of the cockpit for the dogs to do their "job" on. Afterwards just toss the mat overboard to clean it. I know this may not be the most enviornmentally sound method.....but try teaching your dogs to use a porta-potti! Good Luck!
a little clearer
I can help them out of the water, and from our home dock to the boat shoudl not be a problem. I want to help them get down into the cabin so we can overnight. I was thinking about building a sling to go over the boom which I would attach a block and tackle to. A sling under the dog to lift them with. My concern is will the boom handle that kind of load, or will I damage it? 2005 Hunter 27.
I can help them out of the water, and from our home dock to the boat shoudl not be a problem. I want to help them get down into the cabin so we can overnight. I was thinking about building a sling to go over the boom which I would attach a block and tackle to. A sling under the dog to lift them with. My concern is will the boom handle that kind of load, or will I damage it? 2005 Hunter 27.
Gordon Setters
Why shouldn't your boom hold the weight? It takes a much greater load under sail. If you are concerned about bending, attach a block on the floor or companionway (just like for a traveler) to reduce the load. For that matter, do you have a traveler that can be adapted for the purpose? We have a one-year old Gordon Setter / border collie mix. She looks like a setter but she weighs less than 40 pounds. What a sweetheart she is! She is a great swimmer and extraordinarily agile. She really needs space to run! With a little help, she can climb the swim ladder on the stern. We put a vest on her to make it easier to lift her out of the water. She gets nervous under way because she slides across the deck when the boat heels. We were thinking about finding some little doggie boat shoes for her. We've seen little snow boots for dogs in a few catalogues and wondered if they might work.
Why shouldn't your boom hold the weight? It takes a much greater load under sail. If you are concerned about bending, attach a block on the floor or companionway (just like for a traveler) to reduce the load. For that matter, do you have a traveler that can be adapted for the purpose? We have a one-year old Gordon Setter / border collie mix. She looks like a setter but she weighs less than 40 pounds. What a sweetheart she is! She is a great swimmer and extraordinarily agile. She really needs space to run! With a little help, she can climb the swim ladder on the stern. We put a vest on her to make it easier to lift her out of the water. She gets nervous under way because she slides across the deck when the boat heels. We were thinking about finding some little doggie boat shoes for her. We've seen little snow boots for dogs in a few catalogues and wondered if they might work.
i think im more concerned fo the dog
A big dog with hip problems will most probably have lots more problem on the boat than on land. I think maybe if you could ask him he would say have a good time, see ya when your back on land. These are, im sure great dogs but when they have problems its important to think of them first.
A big dog with hip problems will most probably have lots more problem on the boat than on land. I think maybe if you could ask him he would say have a good time, see ya when your back on land. These are, im sure great dogs but when they have problems its important to think of them first.
dogs
I've been wondering about making my boat dog-accessible for a while now. But at this point, it's a challenge getting them to voluntarily walk across a wide gangplank to come aboard. The boom would certainly work, but I imagine your dog wouldn't particularly enjoy hanging from it (My dogs, 50# and 60#, don't even like for me to pick them up.) Would you attach to the dog in the cockpit, then push the dog forward while lowering? Or attach to the dog on the side deck, and lift over the cabin to the companionway? Either way, you'll have to hold on tight to make sure they don't swing into anything and get hurt. Another option might be to use some kind of folding ramp that leads into the cabin. You could make something out of wood, or you might be able to find one of those lightweight aluminum ramps that are made for pickup trucks. Or a small extension ladder wit wood between the rungs. Find one second hand and cut it to length.(It doesn't really need to support 500 lbs, so minor dents shouldn't matter.) As for something to keep the dogs from sliding around the cockpit/cabin sole: I'm wondering if there's a way to use that rubber mesh non-slip padding used under throw rugs to keep them from slipping. I'm thinking of maybe somehow sandwiching a heavy canvas between two layers of the non-slip (sewing? glue?) and attaching it with snaps to the sole. Removable for cleaning. Any other ideas?
I've been wondering about making my boat dog-accessible for a while now. But at this point, it's a challenge getting them to voluntarily walk across a wide gangplank to come aboard. The boom would certainly work, but I imagine your dog wouldn't particularly enjoy hanging from it (My dogs, 50# and 60#, don't even like for me to pick them up.) Would you attach to the dog in the cockpit, then push the dog forward while lowering? Or attach to the dog on the side deck, and lift over the cabin to the companionway? Either way, you'll have to hold on tight to make sure they don't swing into anything and get hurt. Another option might be to use some kind of folding ramp that leads into the cabin. You could make something out of wood, or you might be able to find one of those lightweight aluminum ramps that are made for pickup trucks. Or a small extension ladder wit wood between the rungs. Find one second hand and cut it to length.(It doesn't really need to support 500 lbs, so minor dents shouldn't matter.) As for something to keep the dogs from sliding around the cockpit/cabin sole: I'm wondering if there's a way to use that rubber mesh non-slip padding used under throw rugs to keep them from slipping. I'm thinking of maybe somehow sandwiching a heavy canvas between two layers of the non-slip (sewing? glue?) and attaching it with snaps to the sole. Removable for cleaning. Any other ideas?
Boom shouldn't be a problem
It should handle both of the dogs at the same time, even with both dogs wiggling. A sling to put under the dog is fine when you are prepared, but when a dog goes overboard at the wrong time, you need to have a handle on the dog already. Have you thought about how you are going to get a sling under the dog while the dog will probably want to wiggle out? It is best to get a life jacket for the dog, with a big handle on top, and have them wear it whenever they are aboard. As for getting them from the cockpit in/out from the cabin, if they need that kind of assist, I would not recommend having those dogs onboard. A rocking boat will be even worse. You may love those dogs, but keeping them at home will probably love them more. IMHO.
It should handle both of the dogs at the same time, even with both dogs wiggling. A sling to put under the dog is fine when you are prepared, but when a dog goes overboard at the wrong time, you need to have a handle on the dog already. Have you thought about how you are going to get a sling under the dog while the dog will probably want to wiggle out? It is best to get a life jacket for the dog, with a big handle on top, and have them wear it whenever they are aboard. As for getting them from the cockpit in/out from the cabin, if they need that kind of assist, I would not recommend having those dogs onboard. A rocking boat will be even worse. You may love those dogs, but keeping them at home will probably love them more. IMHO.
Well, what ever you decide to do,
Get them both life jackets with handles! Saved our Wheaton. These jackets solve most, if not all safety/retrieval problems.
Get them both life jackets with handles! Saved our Wheaton. These jackets solve most, if not all safety/retrieval problems.
Along with the dog handles...
you should practice Dog OverBoard (DOB) drills instead MOB drills. Maybe not for real, but maybe on a hot day, at a quite anchorage on the hook, and the dogs really wants to go for a swim........
you should practice Dog OverBoard (DOB) drills instead MOB drills. Maybe not for real, but maybe on a hot day, at a quite anchorage on the hook, and the dogs really wants to go for a swim........
Thanks Everyone!
I am realy concerned about both of them and take their feelings first. If they don't enjoy going, they will not be forced to go. Sometimes I even have to let them know that even though they enjoy things it is beyond their limits now. I am sure you all know how hard it is to see them grow old. I doubt we will have them out on the water, but more for the "new places to sniff" adventure to the marina and doggie beach. I was looking for a way to help get them aboard and down below so they can nap. The block and tackle I have is a 3-2 (feel free to give nauticle name) pulley setup so their weight should be nothing to pull. Just have to design a sling that would hold them safely. Just to nip the comment in the bud, Yes I do walk it in, bag it out!
I am realy concerned about both of them and take their feelings first. If they don't enjoy going, they will not be forced to go. Sometimes I even have to let them know that even though they enjoy things it is beyond their limits now. I am sure you all know how hard it is to see them grow old. I doubt we will have them out on the water, but more for the "new places to sniff" adventure to the marina and doggie beach. I was looking for a way to help get them aboard and down below so they can nap. The block and tackle I have is a 3-2 (feel free to give nauticle name) pulley setup so their weight should be nothing to pull. Just have to design a sling that would hold them safely. Just to nip the comment in the bud, Yes I do walk it in, bag it out!
Topping lift?
As Scott noted, the boom should be plenty strong enough to hold a 90# weight. I'd question the topping lift, though. It's meant to hold the weight of the boom and sail (while lowered). Is it strong enough? My $.02 worth. Jack
As Scott noted, the boom should be plenty strong enough to hold a 90# weight. I'd question the topping lift, though. It's meant to hold the weight of the boom and sail (while lowered). Is it strong enough? My $.02 worth. Jack
ramp
We have a golden retrever who loves our Hunter 28.5. It is a long way down into the cabin. We bought a folding ramp from Pet Edge. they have a web site. It took a little traning but the dog uses it. We use it to get her below and then fold it up. It is a laittle akward but is works. Jeff
We have a golden retrever who loves our Hunter 28.5. It is a long way down into the cabin. We bought a folding ramp from Pet Edge. they have a web site. It took a little traning but the dog uses it. We use it to get her below and then fold it up. It is a laittle akward but is works. Jeff
dog helps
I built a ramp for our bulldog from a pine shelf - added modings to the edges and a 1/2 in. lip under the top edge. Glued nonskid on top, drilled a couple of holes and added short lengths of rope to secure the ramp. Trained the dog to use the ramp with a combination of treat lures and the discomfort of being lifted aboard. An additional help is to put a bathmat where the dog will land in the cockpit. She likes to sit on it too, as it keeps her from sliding around. Sorry I can't help with the companionway. We still resort to lifting.
I built a ramp for our bulldog from a pine shelf - added modings to the edges and a 1/2 in. lip under the top edge. Glued nonskid on top, drilled a couple of holes and added short lengths of rope to secure the ramp. Trained the dog to use the ramp with a combination of treat lures and the discomfort of being lifted aboard. An additional help is to put a bathmat where the dog will land in the cockpit. She likes to sit on it too, as it keeps her from sliding around. Sorry I can't help with the companionway. We still resort to lifting.
bathmat!
See I knew someone would suggest a better idea. I often seem find myself making things more complicated then they need to be.
See I knew someone would suggest a better idea. I often seem find myself making things more complicated then they need to be.
Golden Retriever and our Hunter 40
Our Golden has learned to go up and down the cabin stairs... It was a little hard at first but "Oliver" soon had it fiqured out. Treats helped.. His hardest part is going down.
Our Golden has learned to go up and down the cabin stairs... It was a little hard at first but "Oliver" soon had it fiqured out. Treats helped.. His hardest part is going down.
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