We are thinking of spending our summers, about 12 weeks, entirely on a larger boat (approx 38-42 foot) Vs. staying in our condo and day sailing our 326. The problem is we have two cats, they are pretty much indoor cats, but we have no experience with them on a boat. Any one out there crusing with cats? If so any problems (of course there are) any MAJOR problems? I doubt they would stand still for a life jacket - but think they are pretty savy about jumping over board and while under way assume thy will be kept below. But, would like any and all input from anyone that has a cat on board - especially one you like, not one you are hoping will disapear at the next port!!!! Thanks
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Cats are natural sailors
We have been cruising for five years (living aboard three) with Splat the Cat. Splat has been an outdoor farm cat, outdoor neighborhood cat and indoor house cat. He has no front claws, so falling overboard has always been a concern. We have trained him to stay in the cockpit (center). We have sceened in the cockpit to keep the cat in and the bugs out. We highly recommend screening. Even with the screening Splat sometimes likes to sneak out on the back deck to see what we are doing, but that is very rare. As soon as we get under way, he comes right up into the cockpit to share in the watches. He gets excited when we catch fish (especially tuna) because he likes fresh sushimi. Regular brushing to remove shedding hair is a must. We do not use regular cat litter, which is clay and can get into the bilge. We use small aquarium rocks (small pea size) on top of a commercial sorbent pad. Two sets of rocks, washing, bleaching and drying one set at a time in a one-gallon plastic bucket with small holes (smaller than the rocks) drilled in the bottom. We change out the rocks and pad each week. There is a new cat litter we are trying while staying on land while the boat is in the boat yard for repairs. It is "Crystals" and might work well on a boat because they last much longer than normal cat litter and there seems to be no smell. If you are interested in the source for the pads, email me through the HOW Owner's Directory. The only problem we have had is fiberglass dust. Cats are very sensitive to it and need to be removed from the boat during projects that produce dust. Splat got a serious respiratory infection in the Bahamas after we did some electronics installations, but a local Vet. did a great diagnosis. He was cured with six shots of antibiotics (we gave him the last five shots on board). We have really enjoyed having Splat the Cat on board. He is the Security Officer.
We have been cruising for five years (living aboard three) with Splat the Cat. Splat has been an outdoor farm cat, outdoor neighborhood cat and indoor house cat. He has no front claws, so falling overboard has always been a concern. We have trained him to stay in the cockpit (center). We have sceened in the cockpit to keep the cat in and the bugs out. We highly recommend screening. Even with the screening Splat sometimes likes to sneak out on the back deck to see what we are doing, but that is very rare. As soon as we get under way, he comes right up into the cockpit to share in the watches. He gets excited when we catch fish (especially tuna) because he likes fresh sushimi. Regular brushing to remove shedding hair is a must. We do not use regular cat litter, which is clay and can get into the bilge. We use small aquarium rocks (small pea size) on top of a commercial sorbent pad. Two sets of rocks, washing, bleaching and drying one set at a time in a one-gallon plastic bucket with small holes (smaller than the rocks) drilled in the bottom. We change out the rocks and pad each week. There is a new cat litter we are trying while staying on land while the boat is in the boat yard for repairs. It is "Crystals" and might work well on a boat because they last much longer than normal cat litter and there seems to be no smell. If you are interested in the source for the pads, email me through the HOW Owner's Directory. The only problem we have had is fiberglass dust. Cats are very sensitive to it and need to be removed from the boat during projects that produce dust. Splat got a serious respiratory infection in the Bahamas after we did some electronics installations, but a local Vet. did a great diagnosis. He was cured with six shots of antibiotics (we gave him the last five shots on board). We have really enjoyed having Splat the Cat on board. He is the Security Officer.
Kitty Litter Sole Scratches
The one gripe I have is with kitty litter and the scratching on the sole. My wife has a sand box with a rug at the exit so it collects most - but not all - of the kitty litter off his paws. However, some still finds it way off the rug and if not removed can cause fine scratches on the cabin sole if the fine grains are stepped on. Recommend regular maintenance in this regard. Our cat has all his front claws so if he ever fell in the water (so far he never has but he has been watched closely) you wouldn't want to try and rescue him with your bare hands. We have a fish net and it that isn't readily available then something like a towle or sweater that he can grab onto is useful. We've come across people who said their cats like water and they actually go swimming. Ours doesn't like even so much as one drop.
The one gripe I have is with kitty litter and the scratching on the sole. My wife has a sand box with a rug at the exit so it collects most - but not all - of the kitty litter off his paws. However, some still finds it way off the rug and if not removed can cause fine scratches on the cabin sole if the fine grains are stepped on. Recommend regular maintenance in this regard. Our cat has all his front claws so if he ever fell in the water (so far he never has but he has been watched closely) you wouldn't want to try and rescue him with your bare hands. We have a fish net and it that isn't readily available then something like a towle or sweater that he can grab onto is useful. We've come across people who said their cats like water and they actually go swimming. Ours doesn't like even so much as one drop.
Cruising Kitties
When I was 5, my uncle came from the Mediterranean on a 42'sloop he and his buddy built. My uncle, his friend, friend's wife and two cats arrived safely in Martinique. Cats are amazingly adaptable.
When I was 5, my uncle came from the Mediterranean on a 42'sloop he and his buddy built. My uncle, his friend, friend's wife and two cats arrived safely in Martinique. Cats are amazingly adaptable.
Cat + Cat
We also have two cats onboard. We have just started living onboard (3 months now). Like Bob we also have a screened in center cockpit H-450). We use regular "scoop able" liter and place the litter box in the forward head. Our cats are completely de-clawed (all four paws). It took about a week for them to feel comfortable aboard the boat and they still don't like the noise of the engine or generator, but they find their little "safe hiding places". One of our cats gets "seasick" if it is mildly rough, so about 2 to 3 hrs. before we start sailing we remove the food and that eliminates the throw-up. Like Bob's cats they love to be in the cockpit especially at night when anchored or at a marina. Do not worry about the cats, they will adjust and both the cats and you will be happy that they are aboard. Gordon on s/v Utopia III
We also have two cats onboard. We have just started living onboard (3 months now). Like Bob we also have a screened in center cockpit H-450). We use regular "scoop able" liter and place the litter box in the forward head. Our cats are completely de-clawed (all four paws). It took about a week for them to feel comfortable aboard the boat and they still don't like the noise of the engine or generator, but they find their little "safe hiding places". One of our cats gets "seasick" if it is mildly rough, so about 2 to 3 hrs. before we start sailing we remove the food and that eliminates the throw-up. Like Bob's cats they love to be in the cockpit especially at night when anchored or at a marina. Do not worry about the cats, they will adjust and both the cats and you will be happy that they are aboard. Gordon on s/v Utopia III
swimming lessons
When our chief engineer, Scupper, came aboard as a kitten he received free swimming lessons any time he ventured onto the dock. It took about 12 lessons before he got the message, at which point we felt comfortable about his ability to come back onboard should he fall into the drink. While underway or at anchor we always carry a towel in the cockpit so that we can extend it to him during a cat-overboard situation--cats have no problem scrambling up a towel if their front claws are intact. Scupper voluntarily stays below whenever we're going to weather, but invariably appears in the cockpit anytime we put up the chute. If we run the engine he likes to nap right on the engine cover.
When our chief engineer, Scupper, came aboard as a kitten he received free swimming lessons any time he ventured onto the dock. It took about 12 lessons before he got the message, at which point we felt comfortable about his ability to come back onboard should he fall into the drink. While underway or at anchor we always carry a towel in the cockpit so that we can extend it to him during a cat-overboard situation--cats have no problem scrambling up a towel if their front claws are intact. Scupper voluntarily stays below whenever we're going to weather, but invariably appears in the cockpit anytime we put up the chute. If we run the engine he likes to nap right on the engine cover.
Kruisin' Kitties
We liveaboard with two cats (and one dog). The cats are great. One would get seasick at first, but we would give 12.5 of dramamine/bonine 3-4 hours before sailing, and removing his food, and that help. Also, keeping him in the cockpit when we sail also helps. We have lifeline netting around the entire boat, which I recommend. We tried the Crystals litter, but went back to the regular scoopable. Both scatter a little in the boat, but the crystals really hurt when you step on one barefooted, and can leave a small dent in your sole.
We liveaboard with two cats (and one dog). The cats are great. One would get seasick at first, but we would give 12.5 of dramamine/bonine 3-4 hours before sailing, and removing his food, and that help. Also, keeping him in the cockpit when we sail also helps. We have lifeline netting around the entire boat, which I recommend. We tried the Crystals litter, but went back to the regular scoopable. Both scatter a little in the boat, but the crystals really hurt when you step on one barefooted, and can leave a small dent in your sole.
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