Hi! My name is Garcia, and I'm a 2 year old Golden Retriever that likes to swim. I'm smart enough to stay on the boat, but when I get back in the slip, I find a good refreshing dip in the marina is a good way to cool off because I don't drink beer like the captain. Problem is, my owner can't figure out how to get me back on the dock without a lot of splashing and picking me up by various uncomfortable body parts. My owner told me you guys would be able to tell me where to get a strap or harness to lift me out of the water so I don't have to wear my life jacket on the dock. Can't find them at pet stores or in marine catalogs. It needs to be sturdy as I weigh 90 lbs. Thanks!
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Giving Garcia a lift!
Garcia, have your humans order you a vest/harness part#596833(for dogs over 80#s) from West Marine, (currently on sale for$14.99) fit it snugly, have them attach a line to it's handle, and therefore you, as you disembark for your swim. When you are finished with your dip, he/she may then easily hoist you skyward using a halyard and winch enough to swing you gracefully onto the dock. Now, if we can just get them to stop tipping the boat beyond the point of dignity...........Zack, fondly remembered, deeply missed water dog of the s/y Best Revenge!!!
Garcia, have your humans order you a vest/harness part#596833(for dogs over 80#s) from West Marine, (currently on sale for$14.99) fit it snugly, have them attach a line to it's handle, and therefore you, as you disembark for your swim. When you are finished with your dip, he/she may then easily hoist you skyward using a halyard and winch enough to swing you gracefully onto the dock. Now, if we can just get them to stop tipping the boat beyond the point of dignity...........Zack, fondly remembered, deeply missed water dog of the s/y Best Revenge!!!
It You're giving Golden Retrievers a bad name
Come on, fella, we know you're not really THAT dumb. I bet you know the easy places in the marina to climb out, and have even used them a time or two when your "owners" weren't looking. And we all know it's not that hard to climb a ladder with four paws. Even if your hair IS long and golden. Tell the truth. You just play dumb, to get attention, right? Why figure out how to do it yourself, when instead you can use it as a reason to get a new and expensive accessory? And then they have to use it on you. Every time. For YOU. Heck, I bet you ask for help just to negotiate the companionway ladder, and bite at the sheets during jibes! Well .. you better be careful. If you play that game too much, they may trade you in for a smarter boat dog, even if its hair isn't flaxen.
Come on, fella, we know you're not really THAT dumb. I bet you know the easy places in the marina to climb out, and have even used them a time or two when your "owners" weren't looking. And we all know it's not that hard to climb a ladder with four paws. Even if your hair IS long and golden. Tell the truth. You just play dumb, to get attention, right? Why figure out how to do it yourself, when instead you can use it as a reason to get a new and expensive accessory? And then they have to use it on you. Every time. For YOU. Heck, I bet you ask for help just to negotiate the companionway ladder, and bite at the sheets during jibes! Well .. you better be careful. If you play that game too much, they may trade you in for a smarter boat dog, even if its hair isn't flaxen.
Love is Blind? or just infinitely patient?
Even on a 42' Hunter, how in the world do you handle a 90# dog on a boat? My congratulations to you for loving your pet so much you'd bring it on the boat with you. I cannot possibly fathom how to keep a boat clean with a 90# golden retriever aboard. How do you do it? Signed, Itty-Bitty-Kitty
Even on a 42' Hunter, how in the world do you handle a 90# dog on a boat? My congratulations to you for loving your pet so much you'd bring it on the boat with you. I cannot possibly fathom how to keep a boat clean with a 90# golden retriever aboard. How do you do it? Signed, Itty-Bitty-Kitty
If your owner is smart...
He'll stop letting you swim in the marina and take you somewhere else to cool off. Stray current from a dock or a boat kills several people year...and at least one dog that I know of. He jumped into the water, and when his owner saw he was in trouble, his owner jumped in to help him. They both died from electrocution. In fact, in most places it's illegal for people to swim in a marina...surely your owner wouldn't put you in danger that he wouldn't put himself into! It's not easy for a big guy like you to climb on and off a boat. The dog owners on my dock all have dinghies and take their pals across the cove to rocky beach to swim. They all like the dinghy rides as much as they do playing in the water.
He'll stop letting you swim in the marina and take you somewhere else to cool off. Stray current from a dock or a boat kills several people year...and at least one dog that I know of. He jumped into the water, and when his owner saw he was in trouble, his owner jumped in to help him. They both died from electrocution. In fact, in most places it's illegal for people to swim in a marina...surely your owner wouldn't put you in danger that he wouldn't put himself into! It's not easy for a big guy like you to climb on and off a boat. The dog owners on my dock all have dinghies and take their pals across the cove to rocky beach to swim. They all like the dinghy rides as much as they do playing in the water.
Well, Peggy
In some parts of the country, it is very common to swim in marinas. You have to watch for kids, especially, entering or leaving. The race crews routinely dive on their bottom before setting out. The laws, instead of outlawing people in the water, mandate safe marina electrical systems. Any loose AC that electrocutes dog or owner would attract the attention of sharks. Land sharks. The marina or boat owner responsible would spend the next few years playing with these sharks. And would end up in the poor house as a result. Cause there ain't no excuse for it. I guess if ever I am in Georgia, I'll have to be more careful of diving to check the prop.
In some parts of the country, it is very common to swim in marinas. You have to watch for kids, especially, entering or leaving. The race crews routinely dive on their bottom before setting out. The laws, instead of outlawing people in the water, mandate safe marina electrical systems. Any loose AC that electrocutes dog or owner would attract the attention of sharks. Land sharks. The marina or boat owner responsible would spend the next few years playing with these sharks. And would end up in the poor house as a result. Cause there ain't no excuse for it. I guess if ever I am in Georgia, I'll have to be more careful of diving to check the prop.
In defense of my Human
Boy, you humans sure get involved sometimes. Maybe I should start a Dear Garcia column, but this typing thing is pretty hard to do, I think it has to do with that "no opposable thumbs" thing. So to the Border Collie, I would ask that you not let my human know that I am only playing dumb, I promise to learn how to do a ladder this season. As to how you keep a 90# dog on a boat, well, I am very well behaved, the Hunter has lots of room, and I even know to change sides in the cockpit when heeled over. As for that dog mess thing, my owner is going to astroturf train me this spring, as this will be my first full season on the boat, I am, after all, only 2 yrs old. Now Peggy, please be kind to my human. He does take me for dinghy rides, beaches, etc., but I was raised on a lake, and since I am just a Big, Dumb, Yellow Dog, it is I who chooses to jump in, regardless of my human's wishes. I just don't like it when he grabs the nape of my neck and a hand full of my privates to get me on the dock!!! A harness would be real nice! Garcia
Boy, you humans sure get involved sometimes. Maybe I should start a Dear Garcia column, but this typing thing is pretty hard to do, I think it has to do with that "no opposable thumbs" thing. So to the Border Collie, I would ask that you not let my human know that I am only playing dumb, I promise to learn how to do a ladder this season. As to how you keep a 90# dog on a boat, well, I am very well behaved, the Hunter has lots of room, and I even know to change sides in the cockpit when heeled over. As for that dog mess thing, my owner is going to astroturf train me this spring, as this will be my first full season on the boat, I am, after all, only 2 yrs old. Now Peggy, please be kind to my human. He does take me for dinghy rides, beaches, etc., but I was raised on a lake, and since I am just a Big, Dumb, Yellow Dog, it is I who chooses to jump in, regardless of my human's wishes. I just don't like it when he grabs the nape of my neck and a hand full of my privates to get me on the dock!!! A harness would be real nice! Garcia
Dear Garcia..
..just read an idea in Popular Mechanics about using a parachute rigger to replace a damaged seat belt. So, take you handler by the sleeve and take him to one for a custom harness. If he complains about the price, point at the SSB in the nav station. He'll bite. Rick D.
..just read an idea in Popular Mechanics about using a parachute rigger to replace a damaged seat belt. So, take you handler by the sleeve and take him to one for a custom harness. If he complains about the price, point at the SSB in the nav station. He'll bite. Rick D.
Mandating safe docks and boats
Sounds good, "Been there,"...but how you mandate that no shore power cord shall ever fall into the water while connected to the dock? That a wire on the dock will never cross or fray in a storm and not be detected till next month's regular inspection? How do you mandate that no boat on the dock--including your own--will ever develop an open ground which won't even be discovered until you notice that the zincs which were new 6 months ago have melted like ice cubes...and not fixed for the additional 3-9 months it will take you figure out why? How do you mandate that no vessel visiting the dock can be leaking stray current? Except where it's prohibited (which includes marinas on all Corps of Engineers waters, btw), you're certainly welcome to swim in your marina--and let your children do so...if you want to. At least now you know the risks, and you'll be making an informed decision to do it anyway.
Sounds good, "Been there,"...but how you mandate that no shore power cord shall ever fall into the water while connected to the dock? That a wire on the dock will never cross or fray in a storm and not be detected till next month's regular inspection? How do you mandate that no boat on the dock--including your own--will ever develop an open ground which won't even be discovered until you notice that the zincs which were new 6 months ago have melted like ice cubes...and not fixed for the additional 3-9 months it will take you figure out why? How do you mandate that no vessel visiting the dock can be leaking stray current? Except where it's prohibited (which includes marinas on all Corps of Engineers waters, btw), you're certainly welcome to swim in your marina--and let your children do so...if you want to. At least now you know the risks, and you'll be making an informed decision to do it anyway.
Stray currents, swimmers, hot boats
Stray 12V currents, however much they eat zincs, are unlikely to kill a swimmer. The chief concern is hot AC. Peggie points out something that disturbs me when I see it: unterminated shore power cords. I always warn people, if they unplug their boat before the shore, or plug in the shore before their boat, that they are one slip away from electrocution. But it's not that easy to get hot AC from the boat into the water. An open ground will not do it. Nor will any fault in the DC system, by itself. The most likely route requires a short from AC hot to boat ground, a failed master AC circuit breaker on the boat, and open circuit between boat and shore ground, or failure of shore's circuit breaker. This puts at risk not only swimmers, but also anyone on the boat. Bottom line: don't fool with your boat's AC system unless you know what you are doing. And please, don't walk around the docks with a live end of a power cable. As to marina swimming, I can only point out it is very common in some places. One marina I frequent has ladders at the end of each finger pier for swimmers to get in and out. I agree that marinas are not the safest place to swim, more because of the risk of some boat running you down than the risk of shock. But the swimmers are there, nonetheless. We, as boaters, have the responsibility not to endanger them.
Stray 12V currents, however much they eat zincs, are unlikely to kill a swimmer. The chief concern is hot AC. Peggie points out something that disturbs me when I see it: unterminated shore power cords. I always warn people, if they unplug their boat before the shore, or plug in the shore before their boat, that they are one slip away from electrocution. But it's not that easy to get hot AC from the boat into the water. An open ground will not do it. Nor will any fault in the DC system, by itself. The most likely route requires a short from AC hot to boat ground, a failed master AC circuit breaker on the boat, and open circuit between boat and shore ground, or failure of shore's circuit breaker. This puts at risk not only swimmers, but also anyone on the boat. Bottom line: don't fool with your boat's AC system unless you know what you are doing. And please, don't walk around the docks with a live end of a power cable. As to marina swimming, I can only point out it is very common in some places. One marina I frequent has ladders at the end of each finger pier for swimmers to get in and out. I agree that marinas are not the safest place to swim, more because of the risk of some boat running you down than the risk of shock. But the swimmers are there, nonetheless. We, as boaters, have the responsibility not to endanger them.
"Been there" please amplify
You write: "Peggie points out something that disturbs me when I see it: unterminated shore power cords. I always warn people, if they unplug their boat before the shore, or plug in the shore before their boat, that they are one slip away from electrocution." I don't understand when you say "unplug their boats before the shore" and "or plug in the shore before their boat." Also, "unterminated shore power cords." I feel you are offering some sound advice, but possible you could "dumb it down" for us less technical folks. Thanks. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
You write: "Peggie points out something that disturbs me when I see it: unterminated shore power cords. I always warn people, if they unplug their boat before the shore, or plug in the shore before their boat, that they are one slip away from electrocution." I don't understand when you say "unplug their boats before the shore" and "or plug in the shore before their boat." Also, "unterminated shore power cords." I feel you are offering some sound advice, but possible you could "dumb it down" for us less technical folks. Thanks. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
Power Cord Cattle Prod
Womder if these guys that are wondering around with the hot power cords are looking for the owners of the boats with the halyards rapping on the masts?
Womder if these guys that are wondering around with the hot power cords are looking for the owners of the boats with the halyards rapping on the masts?
I can clarify that one, Wayne
Shore power cords have two ends--one end connected to the power source on the dock, the other end connected to the boat... An "unterminated power cord" is one that's connected to live power at one end, and connected to nothing at the other end...not very smart around water. He's referring to people who disconnect the end connected to the boat without first removing the other end from the power source by either turning off the breaker or physically pulling the cord...or vice versa--connecting to the power source before connecting to the boat...or worse yet, NEVER bothering to cut off the power on the shore connection...just disconnecting from the boat and leaving the "unterminated power cord" to lie on the dock and possibly fall into the water. When connecting or disconnecting shore power from the boat, the power cord should be "dead"...
Shore power cords have two ends--one end connected to the power source on the dock, the other end connected to the boat... An "unterminated power cord" is one that's connected to live power at one end, and connected to nothing at the other end...not very smart around water. He's referring to people who disconnect the end connected to the boat without first removing the other end from the power source by either turning off the breaker or physically pulling the cord...or vice versa--connecting to the power source before connecting to the boat...or worse yet, NEVER bothering to cut off the power on the shore connection...just disconnecting from the boat and leaving the "unterminated power cord" to lie on the dock and possibly fall into the water. When connecting or disconnecting shore power from the boat, the power cord should be "dead"...
Power cords, amplifying
OK, imagine four objects: you, your boat, the shore power box, and the shore power cord. The shore power cord has two distinguished ends: boat plug and shore plug. This system has four relevant states, depending on which ends of the cord are attached. UNPLUGGED (UNENERGIZED, SAFE): Neither end of the power cord is connected. If you fall in the water with it coiled around your shoulder, it is a weight that may entangle you, but it won't electrocuted you. FULLY PLUGGED (LIVE, SAFE): The power cord is plugged in at both boat and shore. Electricity courses through it, but even if the middle of the cord falls in the water, its heavy insulation prevents any shock to swimmers. BOAT-PLUGGED (UNENERGIZED, SAFE): The power cord is plugged in at the boat, and the shore end is free. Your boat's electrical system does NOT energize the power cord. If you fall into the drink with the unplugged end, the cord may entangle you, but it won't electrocute you. SHORE-PLUGGED (LIVE, DEADLY): The power cord is plugged in at the shore, and the boat end is free. The power cord is energized with 120VAC or 240VAC. If you trip and fall in the drink with the free end, you will be severely shocked before you drown. Safety rule: NEVER let a power cord get in the last state. Instead, always pass through the "boat plugged" state. If you are removing shore power, unplug it at the SHORE before the boat. If you are plugging in, always plug in the BOAT before the shore. In other words, the dangerous shore connection should be made last and undone first. And, yes, I know. There is also a switch on the shore box, and if it is fully switched off, the cord is unenergized. And, yes, there is some likelihood, in the worst case, that the shore's circuit breaker will flip before you are completely disabled in the water. The funny thing is: with all these automatic safety checks, people still die from mixing AC and water.
OK, imagine four objects: you, your boat, the shore power box, and the shore power cord. The shore power cord has two distinguished ends: boat plug and shore plug. This system has four relevant states, depending on which ends of the cord are attached. UNPLUGGED (UNENERGIZED, SAFE): Neither end of the power cord is connected. If you fall in the water with it coiled around your shoulder, it is a weight that may entangle you, but it won't electrocuted you. FULLY PLUGGED (LIVE, SAFE): The power cord is plugged in at both boat and shore. Electricity courses through it, but even if the middle of the cord falls in the water, its heavy insulation prevents any shock to swimmers. BOAT-PLUGGED (UNENERGIZED, SAFE): The power cord is plugged in at the boat, and the shore end is free. Your boat's electrical system does NOT energize the power cord. If you fall into the drink with the unplugged end, the cord may entangle you, but it won't electrocute you. SHORE-PLUGGED (LIVE, DEADLY): The power cord is plugged in at the shore, and the boat end is free. The power cord is energized with 120VAC or 240VAC. If you trip and fall in the drink with the free end, you will be severely shocked before you drown. Safety rule: NEVER let a power cord get in the last state. Instead, always pass through the "boat plugged" state. If you are removing shore power, unplug it at the SHORE before the boat. If you are plugging in, always plug in the BOAT before the shore. In other words, the dangerous shore connection should be made last and undone first. And, yes, I know. There is also a switch on the shore box, and if it is fully switched off, the cord is unenergized. And, yes, there is some likelihood, in the worst case, that the shore's circuit breaker will flip before you are completely disabled in the water. The funny thing is: with all these automatic safety checks, people still die from mixing AC and water.
Got it!
Thanks for the additional explanation. Now, I got it. Learn something new everyday. Should have know better. I'll change my shore plugging/unplugging routine thanks to your post. It is also going to be interesting around my marina to observe how other sailors are handling this routine. Best, Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
Thanks for the additional explanation. Now, I got it. Learn something new everyday. Should have know better. I'll change my shore plugging/unplugging routine thanks to your post. It is also going to be interesting around my marina to observe how other sailors are handling this routine. Best, Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
No more K-9's on my boat!
The second best part of my divorce was not having to take my wife's 90 pound Golden on my boat. How do stand the hair in every locker, every drawer, every bite of food, your bunk, the bilge, your clothes, etc.? And what about the slobber all over the place! And no I am not a dog hater unless it is on my boat.
The second best part of my divorce was not having to take my wife's 90 pound Golden on my boat. How do stand the hair in every locker, every drawer, every bite of food, your bunk, the bilge, your clothes, etc.? And what about the slobber all over the place! And no I am not a dog hater unless it is on my boat.
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