Dear sailors I have a large dog (130lbs)and just bought a used hunter 30. I need to know what can be done to bring the dog from the Yacht into the tender and back as safe and easy as possible. I thought to put a peace of wood (5ft long and 1ft wide) to hang into the back reeling and to lever up and down with a halyard on the other side into the dingy. I have also 2 backstays, maybe I could use them to do something, since I don't trust the back Reeling too much. I've to bear in mind, that the solution has to be good not only in calm weather. Anyone any ideas on how to do it and what connections, materials could be used? Thank you for your response, you could use andyrohner@telus.net as well. Andy
*! LARGE DOG
- Thread starter andy2388
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Wrong boat Andy.
It seems that you bought an older H30, one without a walkthrough transom. The older designs like my H37C are not good with large dogs. Mine own dog is small and I lift her in. But a dockmate has a large dog on hiw Westerly 32. I'll send him a note. Could you improve the stern ladder and then train the dog to use it? The other option would be a stern davit with a sling. The kind of thing used for the dinghy outboard. See Related Link.
It seems that you bought an older H30, one without a walkthrough transom. The older designs like my H37C are not good with large dogs. Mine own dog is small and I lift her in. But a dockmate has a large dog on hiw Westerly 32. I'll send him a note. Could you improve the stern ladder and then train the dog to use it? The other option would be a stern davit with a sling. The kind of thing used for the dinghy outboard. See Related Link.
Train the dog....
I have a large sailboat with extra large freeboard .... and an english setter. I've trained the dog to stand up on the dinghy seat with his front paws on the rail cap. When I say 'UP" he pulls with his front legs and with one hand I scoop his 'behind' up and over the rail. Getting into the dinghy - I use a harness and simply guide the 'controlled crash' into the dinghy. Sometimes my wife will help 'steer' by holding on to the tail. Takes a while to learn and you have to use exceptional praise, etc. to make it work. Beats the hell out of rigging a RubeGoldberg contraption.
I have a large sailboat with extra large freeboard .... and an english setter. I've trained the dog to stand up on the dinghy seat with his front paws on the rail cap. When I say 'UP" he pulls with his front legs and with one hand I scoop his 'behind' up and over the rail. Getting into the dinghy - I use a harness and simply guide the 'controlled crash' into the dinghy. Sometimes my wife will help 'steer' by holding on to the tail. Takes a while to learn and you have to use exceptional praise, etc. to make it work. Beats the hell out of rigging a RubeGoldberg contraption.
Phoebe can do it!
Andy: We have a standard schnauzer (about 45#). We have a life jacket for her, but she really does not need it. She will go from the boat to the dink by herself. Then she justs out and does her business and gets back into the dink when she is done. She is about 18" tall and can almost board the boat from the dink by herself. With a dog that big, you just need to work with them to show them what to do. You other option is to make a ramp that the dog can walk up for reboarding. I would suggest the you use an inflatable. Hard dinks are not stable enough for these manuvers. You can alway get a harness for the dog and winch him/her aboard with a halyard!
Andy: We have a standard schnauzer (about 45#). We have a life jacket for her, but she really does not need it. She will go from the boat to the dink by herself. Then she justs out and does her business and gets back into the dink when she is done. She is about 18" tall and can almost board the boat from the dink by herself. With a dog that big, you just need to work with them to show them what to do. You other option is to make a ramp that the dog can walk up for reboarding. I would suggest the you use an inflatable. Hard dinks are not stable enough for these manuvers. You can alway get a harness for the dog and winch him/her aboard with a halyard!
Life Jacket!
Jeez Steve; are you sure you're not from Rio LINDA
Phoebe needs her life jacket as much as you do! In cold NW waters your dog can go hypothermic before you can get him in the boat. DO NOT get a cheap life vest from West Marine or Boaters World! the handle will rip out the first time you lift the dog. Look at this website http://www.ruffwear.com/ You can hook a shackle to the handle and lift him out of the water. You will be able to train him easily by helping along the first few timesa
Jeez Steve; are you sure you're not from Rio LINDA
Phoebe needs her life jacket as much as you do! In cold NW waters your dog can go hypothermic before you can get him in the boat. DO NOT get a cheap life vest from West Marine or Boaters World! the handle will rip out the first time you lift the dog. Look at this website http://www.ruffwear.com/ You can hook a shackle to the handle and lift him out of the water. You will be able to train him easily by helping along the first few timesabut Paul.....
Paul: The water in the Ca. Delta is about 75 deg. this time of the year. Besides dogs have these protective coat that allow them to swin in near freezin' temps. Have you ever seen a Lab or Golden that thought the water was TOO COLD? NOT. Seriously, it is amazing too see how well they adapt to their environment. Phoebe acts like she was born on the boat.
Paul: The water in the Ca. Delta is about 75 deg. this time of the year. Besides dogs have these protective coat that allow them to swin in near freezin' temps. Have you ever seen a Lab or Golden that thought the water was TOO COLD? NOT. Seriously, it is amazing too see how well they adapt to their environment. Phoebe acts like she was born on the boat.
Steve
You're correct matey! I was WRONG. Your current is pretty slow too; right? Couple of dogs drowned on the Columbia River but 3-4 knots is commen. They just wore out! Hope to sail the delta area some day
You're correct matey! I was WRONG. Your current is pretty slow too; right? Couple of dogs drowned on the Columbia River but 3-4 knots is commen. They just wore out! Hope to sail the delta area some day
You're killin' me
Andy, dude... you're killin' me here. I can hardly see straight as I try to picture you raising and lowering a 150 pound dog while it teeters on a piece of wood suspended from a halyard! My guess is you are going to have to put some mega-sedatives in the gravy train. Really, have someone shoot video. This is going to be priceless.
Andy, dude... you're killin' me here. I can hardly see straight as I try to picture you raising and lowering a 150 pound dog while it teeters on a piece of wood suspended from a halyard! My guess is you are going to have to put some mega-sedatives in the gravy train. Really, have someone shoot video. This is going to be priceless.
LARGE DOG ANSWER1Hi to all Thank's for your input. Leroy don't worry I'll believe I can solve this. Steve D. thank you and other's who talk from own experience and gave me good ideas including Links. We went for many month to Dog obedience Training and I'm sure we can him teach the one or other thing. Great examples I have gotten here. Using the Ladder won't work because the turning point is too deep. The last option will be a crane I would have to buy. Thank's again for helping me out. For those who find it very funny, yap I'm laughing myself. We have lot's of fun here in wonderful Campbell River, Vancouver Island. Come and visit, Fishing good, People very friendly and lot of Nature. Cheers Andy
Doggy boarding ladder
I’ve owned Old English sheepdogs over the years and they’ve sailed with me on a 25’ and now a 36’ boat. Neither boat has the new scoop stern that makes boarding a dog so easy. The sheep dogs don’t get quiet as large as yours but when their hair is soaked after a swim they seem to weigh as much! I had rigged up something similar to this. You could either buy this or use it as an idea for your own design. Good luck S/V Anodyne
I’ve owned Old English sheepdogs over the years and they’ve sailed with me on a 25’ and now a 36’ boat. Neither boat has the new scoop stern that makes boarding a dog so easy. The sheep dogs don’t get quiet as large as yours but when their hair is soaked after a swim they seem to weigh as much! I had rigged up something similar to this. You could either buy this or use it as an idea for your own design. Good luck S/V Anodyne
Off the port side
I forgot to mention that I didn’t use the boarding ladder at the stern. My 25’ had a port side folding ladder that attached to the toe rail. I modified this for the dogs. I then had to re-build it for the 36’ but I still board through the lifeline gate on the port side. S/V Anodyne
I forgot to mention that I didn’t use the boarding ladder at the stern. My 25’ had a port side folding ladder that attached to the toe rail. I modified this for the dogs. I then had to re-build it for the 36’ but I still board through the lifeline gate on the port side. S/V Anodyne
Dog ladder
Thank you Dennis This is what I need. Great Idea. I try to build it self because my stern ladder reaches very high. Cheers Andy
Thank you Dennis This is what I need. Great Idea. I try to build it self because my stern ladder reaches very high. Cheers Andy
Dog ladder2
Dennis Do you have any pictures or drawings of your solution. This is really the best I have seen for month. Cheers Andy
Dennis Do you have any pictures or drawings of your solution. This is really the best I have seen for month. Cheers Andy
No Picture
I just modified an off the shelf boarding ladder. There are really only two things that need to be done. First, increase the length of any “stand off” legs where the ladder rests against the side of the boat. This is to change it from a vertical ladder to a sloped stairway. The folding ladder I used had short folding legs for stand off. I hose clamped on sections of aluminum pipe with rubber caps on the ends. They will still fold-up for storage. I had to restrict the legs from folding all the way out or they would go under the boat. To do this I just added a length of flag halyard connecting the end of each new leg to the top of the ladder so that they would not fold all the way out. Second, fill the gaps between the rungs of the ladder to make a more continuous surface. I used a light piece of plywood covered with carpet. I drilled four holes in this wood ramp and attached it to the ladder using plastic wire ties. It doesn’t take much slope for the dog to be able to climb. You don’t have to go to 45 degrees, maybe only 60. Like one of the early posts pointed out, the dog is big enough to almost jump up from the dingy.
I just modified an off the shelf boarding ladder. There are really only two things that need to be done. First, increase the length of any “stand off” legs where the ladder rests against the side of the boat. This is to change it from a vertical ladder to a sloped stairway. The folding ladder I used had short folding legs for stand off. I hose clamped on sections of aluminum pipe with rubber caps on the ends. They will still fold-up for storage. I had to restrict the legs from folding all the way out or they would go under the boat. To do this I just added a length of flag halyard connecting the end of each new leg to the top of the ladder so that they would not fold all the way out. Second, fill the gaps between the rungs of the ladder to make a more continuous surface. I used a light piece of plywood covered with carpet. I drilled four holes in this wood ramp and attached it to the ladder using plastic wire ties. It doesn’t take much slope for the dog to be able to climb. You don’t have to go to 45 degrees, maybe only 60. Like one of the early posts pointed out, the dog is big enough to almost jump up from the dingy.
Some Large dogs are just not boat dogs
We have a 240# english mastiff. After looking for one year we finally found a float coat that fits him. I think it is Altek.com. Of course the little handle on the top made us laugh. After getting him on the boat he proceded to step into the galley sink, kinda sit, then got into the salon. He was there and that is all. So bless you all who have dogs that can go up and down a swim ladder, we won't even go there, and sail with. I love my dog, but no way would I susept him to a possible pulling up on a halyard. Happy sailing.
We have a 240# english mastiff. After looking for one year we finally found a float coat that fits him. I think it is Altek.com. Of course the little handle on the top made us laugh. After getting him on the boat he proceded to step into the galley sink, kinda sit, then got into the salon. He was there and that is all. So bless you all who have dogs that can go up and down a swim ladder, we won't even go there, and sail with. I love my dog, but no way would I susept him to a possible pulling up on a halyard. Happy sailing.
dog-sling (aka. Lifesling)
Here's a good business idea for someone. Make a dog-sling, like a life-sling. Connect the 4-legged furry guy to one of these, and connected to the end of the boom, and lower away. Depending on the furry guy, you may want to use a block to reduce the effort needed. Don't laugh, I saw someone doing exactly that. And, have a camera ready.
Here's a good business idea for someone. Make a dog-sling, like a life-sling. Connect the 4-legged furry guy to one of these, and connected to the end of the boom, and lower away. Depending on the furry guy, you may want to use a block to reduce the effort needed. Don't laugh, I saw someone doing exactly that. And, have a camera ready.
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