Sea Dogs transitioning from swimming to Boarding

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Royal Flush

Royal Flush

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Apr 3, 2009
57
2 30 9.2M Yorktown, Va
I'm planning a cruise and My Golden Retriever says he'd like to join me this time.
He's not fond of pottying near the anchor locker and I can tell he has his eyes set on the beaches we pass. Like all goldens he loves to swim. I'd like to ablige him and allow him to swim while we're anchored and take him out to the beaches too. What kind of systems should I be rigging to hoist him in from the dingy? I could secure him to the dingy and raise both of them at the same time...
 
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J

John

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Jun 3, 2006
803
Catalina 36mkII Alameda CA
Re: Sea Dogs transitioning from swimming Boarding

The real issue is how to teach a dog to do its business on the fore deck. I, or rather my dogs, have this same problem. (I, personally, have no problems going on the fore deck, although my wife complains!) Have any dog owners been able to resolve this issue?

As for hoisting your dog - I take it you don't have a swim platform. Have you tried one of those ramps that are available?
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
i have seen rigs for lifting using a harness on the dog and halyards--i have seen the dog trained to load up--jump in and out of the dink---lol sometimes yeilding splashes by the human as he falls into sea---is alll fun--what can your dog do--is he trained to do tricks?/ some tricks can be adapted to boarding and disembarking the dog .....have fun!!--i have a 20 pound kat --he airlifts--usually on my back, in a sherpa backpack--but that wont do your situation any good--
 
Bob V

Bob V

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Mar 13, 2008
235
Catalina 42mkII Lagoon Point
How much freeboard do you have?

I travel with two big dogs (one elderly) and use a Solvit brand ramp from dock to deck of boat. When at anchor I use our open transom for easy access. I don't think that a ramp from dinghy to deck would feel very secure.

It would be nice if you had a boat with an open transom or perhaps a yorkshire terrier or some other pocket dog. Easier to trade in a boat than a dog.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
My dog only goes on shore. He can hold for 14 hours and he has chosen to go longer. I do not sail off shore with him. When I do I have him transported to our destination. He can get in the and out of the dinghy all on his own. He weighs about 60lbs and wears a harness that I can lift him with if needed. He stays in the cockpit when sailing and wears his harness when rough. At anchor he has free reign and often sleeps along the side decks.

He is very smart and knows terms like "shore", "walk", "boat ride", "business", "2fer", "drink drink" and "shake". Some of his favorite people are sailors and he loves Maine Sail.

 
Cpt. Jon

Cpt. Jon

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Dec 9, 2008
426
1980 Hunter 30 "Denali" Seaford, VA
Friends of our have a black lab and they are able to assist him climb the swim ladder.

Their dogs don't go on the boat I don't think.

Did you get a new/used mainsail already?

Will you be out tomorrow, we are planning on going out and will likely head over toward New Point Comfort if the winds are right and the crew wants to be out that long... otherwise, we'll be somewhere between the York and Poquoson rivers.

Cheers,

Jon
 
Royal Flush

Royal Flush

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Apr 3, 2009
57
2 30 9.2M Yorktown, Va
Someone, an angel, did a pay it forward to me last night....I got a great S2 mainsail that's not even dirty for FREE!!!! After that, we drove back through Baltimore last night picked it up and had dinner on the Harbour. He said someone was good to him a few years ago and helped him out with some sails. He's been looking to do the same. As far as the weekend, we've got our Eyes on the concrete ships. We'll probably start off late Sat afternoon and cross the Chesapeake and stay over and return Sunday.
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

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May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
Just did two weeks with a 80 lb lab

I built a 2 foot by 2 foot boarding platform with carpet on it that hangs from the toe rail just high enough for the dingy to slide under it for boarding, used cables from the outer corners to snap shackes with turnbuckles back to the toe rail for support the outer edge and stabilize side to side movement. Dog is able to go from deck to platform to dingy and back without help. The playwoood "arms" it hangs from, pivots or folds up so pretty compact to stow. Dog loves the water so we do a lot of breach runs. The boarding platform now replaces the stern ladder for us humans too.
 
Cpt. Jon

Cpt. Jon

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Dec 9, 2008
426
1980 Hunter 30 "Denali" Seaford, VA
Royal Flush said:
Someone, an angel, did a pay it forward to me last night....I got a great S2 mainsail that's not even dirty for FREE!!!! After that, we drove back through Baltimore last night picked it up and had dinner on the Harbour. He said someone was good to him a few years ago and helped him out with some sails. He's been looking to do the same. As far as the weekend, we've got our Eyes on the concrete ships. We'll probably start off late Sat afternoon and cross the Chesapeake and stay over and return Sunday.
Click to expand
Cool, perhaps we'll cross paths. Should be a nice weekend, but sunday is gonna be around 96F with a heat index of 106F, so keep cool out there on your way back.
 
Royal Flush

Royal Flush

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Apr 3, 2009
57
2 30 9.2M Yorktown, Va
I'm sure we won't even notice the heat with the 14 knot winds and premium sailing weather. Hope to year you on the radio Late Sat afternoon - Sunday afternoon
 
Dragon

Dragon

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Mar 25, 2009
32
Hunter 38 Belleville
Sorry about being a bit off topic....but how do you get your dog from slipping around on the deck & cockpit? I have a lab that I would like to take on short trips but I can't see how she could handle heeling.
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Dragon said:
Sorry about being a bit off topic....but how do you get your dog from slipping around on the deck & cockpit? I have a lab that I would like to take on short trips but I can't see how she could handle heeling.
Click to expand
most critters curl up in a spot that is comfy for them and stay there for a long time--they dont run around the boat while it is sailing--even my kat curls up in a corner and sleeps...if long passages--he gets up and walks around to use box and eat then sleeps again...
 
Bob V

Bob V

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Mar 13, 2008
235
Catalina 42mkII Lagoon Point
Dragon said:
Sorry about being a bit off topic....but how do you get your dog from slipping around on the deck & cockpit? I have a lab that I would like to take on short trips but I can't see how she could handle heeling.
Click to expand
I use on of those large dog beds that are filled with cedar chips on the cockpit sole and it cover the entire width sole just in front of the wheel. In addition to that I have rubber backed carpet runners on the seat and they provide good traction for dog feet.

While at anchor I run the rubber back carpet runners right down to the edge of the swim step and when the dogs jump from the dinghy to the open transon the have good traction. If we are at the dock the carpetr runners go along the side deck to the place where we exit. We use a ramp from deck to dock.

http://www.solvitproducts.com/
 
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