Cruising with Pets

[MarcP]

Has anyone come up with a safe and reasonable way to get their dog from their boat into and out of the dinghy when on a mooring? We sail a Catalina 30 and have a 65lb Retriver mix.ThanksMarcP

 

[Pete Staehling]

Mine never had any trouble jumping from boat to dinghy and dinghy to boat. She needs a little encouragement. Sometimes maybe a hand on the handle of her PFD. That is with a 55 pound Dalmation mix, a rigid dinghy, and a C22.I would that approach first.BTW: I consider the PFD essential so I have a handle on her back. It is hell to hoist an overboard dog back onboard without a handle.Pete

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com]

Use a halyard

I've heard of some folks using a halyard attached to the PFD. Or a block & tackle system rigged to the end of the boom (kind of like how a LifeSling works).LaDonna

 

[Bob Camarena]

Maggie Does Fine

Maggie, my 65lb+ Border Collie, jumps into the inflatable by herself and almost makes it back into my C-30 by herself. She just needs a little push on the butt. I've found that a carpet-type door mat draped over the gunwale of the C-30 gives her the needed traction. Her life jacket has a handle on the back and she also wears a harness so I can attach a leash without risking choking her if she falls overboard.

 

[Jack]

5000 Miles with our Shetland Sheepdog

My wife and I lived aboard our 40 footer for two years and never had a problem with this issue. "Guy" loved to go places with us, but never fell overboard. We did keep a harness on him with a handle on the top and a boat hook close at hand just in case, but he was never a problem. We took him all over the Bahamas (he peed on every deserted island there), and though he was not a large dog, he did weigh about thirty pounds. Your Retriever should be able to swim readily, and you should be able to get him into the dingy, but I would guess that you already know that.