Paws Aboard Ramp on a sailboat

r.oril · Apr 11, 2009

I believe that someone has a photo of swim deck that goes around the motor. I plan to use the ladder with a deck attached to the lower part, lock it parallel to the water and then haul my Lab in.

r.oril · Apr 11, 2009

Found it.

http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com...d=256&cat_id=161&aid=7017&page=article&mn=26X

s sauer · Apr 11, 2009

We've had labs (80 lbs+) aboard our 28.5 for msny years.

The safest and easiest way to have them get off the boat without catching a claw in a toe rail or a fore leg trapped in the swim ladder was for me to lower the swim ladder and stand on the lowest rung in my swim suit; call the dog, hold them in my arms to my chest and gently fall back into the water and let hem swim away.
Getting them back on board involved two people, me boosting from the water and my wife lifting them from above with the harness they always wore on the boat. In or out of the dingy was easirer and dryer.

MrBee · Apr 11, 2009

You can check in hunting supply type places, A Lot of waterfowl hunters use dogs and have ramps for them.

Bee

Blake · Apr 11, 2009

It is a good question, and I wish I could answer it. I purchased a used plastic ramp from Ebay. It folds in the middle and is really designed for access to autos. I had the idea that I could rig up some sort of floatation and get the dogs near the top of the ladder, where I could then assist them aboard. I have only used it a few times, and only to allow the dogs to board the boat while beached, with the stern in. This ramp is suppose to be rated for 300#, and I once used it to clear a muddy beach. It cracked when I walked across it, and I weigh about 195 with shorts and flip flops. I wish I could remember the brand, but I am sure it was not the Paws Aboard ramp. When I was looking at these things, I remember that they were outrageously expensive, and none of the sites showed them being used with sailboats. I have concluded that my ramp would be way to short to be used from water level, if a portion of it where submerged, especially for my beloved, ageing, 3 legged golden/Irish setter cross. Both of my dogs weigh around 70#. I usually muscle them aboard using the handle on their life jackets (yes, I make them wear life jackets, but it provides a good handle). I would love to hear if anybody has successfully used a ramp with a sailboat that doesn't have a swim platform or open transom.

Deadhead · Apr 12, 2009

Mixed Reviews from Cabela's

Here is a link to Cabela's that posts the Paws Aboard for $199.99.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat603616&hasJS=true

Read the reviews. Seems as if the attachment mechanism is less than optimal. A few people did give it a 5 out of 5 - but one of these based the rating on how it worked in his driveway.

The Cabela's Northern Flight model is much cheaper at $89.99, but the beefs seem to be the same. The thing is difficult to attach to the boat.

I have purchased a lot of things from Cabela's and they are happy to take something back if you are unsatisfied. Last fall I bought a pair of work jeans on sale for $12.95. I wore & washed them at least a dozen times when the seam around the waist band ripped out. I called and they sent me another pair no questions asked. I have had simlar experiences with other merchandise.

If you do try one or the other please keep us posted on your satisfaction. My portugese water dog is now full grown at 50#'s & it is getting difficult to haul her up with a boat hook.

Scott B · Apr 17, 2009

We have a Goldendoodle ( retriever/poodle) and usually put a life jacket on her when she swims off the boat. I stand at the top of the swim ladder and grab the handle on the top of the jacket and help her get her footing on the ladder and then the walk-through transom and haul her into the boat.

sailingdog · Apr 17, 2009

My friends have a golden doodle, and I'd rather have a ramp for him. He's over 100 lbs. and that's before he's soaking wet.

Bob V · Apr 17, 2009

Let's try a different tack

If the objective is to be able to get your dogs back on board after swimming and a water ramp may not be practical due to high freeboard on your boat. consider a "floating porch". This could be an inner tube with a tight tramp attached or one of the floating pull toys that stinkpotters pull with three kids on top of one tube. If you could give your dog a step up to lift him above the water you might be able to manage the rest of it with brute strength or dog training. I have a rechargeable air pump that makes quick work of blowing up a large raft.

I find that rubber backed throw rugs are good for protecting surfaces of all types and that my dog tends to have faith in them. If he is reluctant to try a steep ramp from the dock to the deck I will put one of our throw rugs on it and then he knows it is ok to walk on. If you have a throw rug hanging over the side when you pull him up onto the deck, he will be able to get traction to help lift himself on board.

Taylor · Apr 17, 2009

Home made ramp?

Interesting timing; I've been thinking about ramps also. I planned to build a prototype this weekend and see if I can train the dog to use it. My main concern is not in and out of the water, but in and out of the dinghy for the twice daily shore trips. He's getting two heavy to lift easily from dinghy to deck.

The problem as I see it is where to put the ramp. I'm thinking I could store it in the bottom of the hard dinghy full time.

Our rail is 46" above the water at the gate. Figure the dinghy center thwart is 10" above the water with one dog plus one person in the rowboat. That means I need 36" of height. Figure a 30 degree incline = 6' ramp.

So, I'm going to take a pair of 1x6 or 1x8, and I'm going to position them parallel, about an inch apart. Then I'm going to fasten the first 3' together with 1x1 cross tread strips about every 8" or so. The other end the cross tread strips will be cut in the middle, so I can slot the whole ramp under the center thwart and around the centerboard trunk. I'm going to put 1x2 or 1x3 on each side to increase the stiffness. The whole thing I hope will work as a floor on the bottom of the hard dingy.

On the downhill end I'm going to put a 1x1 on the bottom such that the ramp will drop down between two of the slats in thwart, and the uphill end will have a 1x2 on the bottom to drop over the rail, or I'll pad the end and hang it from the stanchions a few inches below the rail if I need a shallower angle.

Then I may need a piece of carpet or rubber mat or something to fool the poor dog into not seeing the center slot, and give him a better grip with his claws. I'll find out about that on Sunday after I build the prototype.

This same ramp could be used off the stern of the dinghy to get him out of the water. They say it helps if the end of the ramp is attached to a couple of fenders to keep the ramp from sinking too far.

I agree with the comment about putting a life jacket or a harness on the dogs - easier to get them out of the water when they have a handle on their back. I also agree about the floating porch - the dinghy could serve that purpose for getting him out of the water.

Scott - We also have a goldendoodle, in black. Great dogs.. very sweet & funny. So far, ours is not very acrobatic; he is sort of stair and ladder phobic.

Seattle Scott · Apr 17, 2009

I built a ramp

for the 85 pound pooch, it hangs from the toe rail and is about 8 feet long and 18" wide, basicaly 2x3 rails with 3/8 ply screwed to the bottom of the rails and anti skid (sandpaper) tape runners on the ramp surface. I have tied a fender to the bottom of the lower end and a couple of guy lines from the end back to the boat so it doesn't swing too much. Use it to get dog into/out of dingy. Once in dingy, drop the ramp out and it floats on the fender. If the dog jumps out of the dingy I can get her back in by brute strenght using the dogs life jacket handle/grab strap.

Ramp is stored on deck forward between the shrouds and cabin side.

the whole thing is a big pain in the butt.

I am now building a step/platform maybe 2x3 feet and will hang off the side mid height between rail and water and see if this works to get dog into / out of dink.

I can see no way to set up a "free swim" time for the dog to come and go off the boat since no walk through stern.

Hey Taylor in Seattle, want my ramp or at least apportunity to demo it?

Taylor · Apr 17, 2009

Re: I built a ramp

Scott - Why is it a pain in the butt? Weight? Storage? Cumbersome deployment? Dog won't use it?

I've thought about the step/platform solution also, it would also help with getting into kayaks. My concern is that I'll build it, hang it, row up to it with the dog, and the dog will look at it and say 'fergitabout it'

And I'll end up having to push him onto the platform. I've also thought of a pair of platforms, offset, one about below the gate, and one forward of it and further down, like big steps.

Paws Aboard Ramp on a sailboat

nmdesertsailor

.

r.oril

.

r.oril

.

s sauer

.

MrBee

.

Blake

.

Deadhead

.

nmdesertsailor

.

Scott B

.

sailingdog

.

Bob V

.

Taylor

.

Seattle Scott

.

Taylor

.