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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dog Ladder

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Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/04/2006 : 21:39:41

All right. All of you who sail with your dog or dogs, here's a question. How do you get your dog off the boat and into the dinghy and vice versa? I have a Golden Retriever who weighs 70 to 80 pounds. I've seen the "Dog Boat Ladder" but it costs a hefty $200.00 and am hoping someone has a less expensive alternative.

Thanks.

Will

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 00:48:00

go to the gym

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Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 08:45:18

Will, would it be practical to fabricate a wide sling to fit around and under your dog's belly, between his forelegs and hindlegs? Then, using a block and tackle setup, hoist him up or lower him from the end of the boom? You could raise him from the cockpit, move him to port or starboard and gently lower him into the dinghy.
Isn't it amazing to see how much dogs enjoy being on the water with us?

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 10:18:01

Will/Mark,

I think the boom would be better off if the extra halyard(assuming you have one)was used to support the boom end and not rely on the topping lift to do the job. I have the Garhauer motor davit that I use for removing or adding heavies like the motor/batteries/gas tanks,etc. the garhauer would be capable of lifting the dog using Mark's sling but it doesn't have the range of motion that the boom does.

In times past I sailed with a large German Shepherd and only got him off the boat by encouraging him to jump in which he did with relish. I was never enthused when retrieving him, what with the exertion of lifting him and the shower of water and hair that followed

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue, N.Y.

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Mark Loyacano
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 10:56:41

You are so right, Val. It would make sense to have a backup support for the boom - just as we do when hoisting folks up a mast.

Sometimes lifting a dog in your arms can be hazardous too, because they protest, for whatever reason, by wiggling and squirming around while we are trying to balance on wet, roiling coamings - making things veeeery interesting.

We never lost our dog (a beegle) overboard. But if we had, it would have been difficult to get her back up, on board (while underway), without a sound mechanical means of accomplishing that feat.

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 14:35:25

Will, get your dog a life vest. Seriously. If the dog falls off the boat, it can drown before you circle around to pick it up. Dogs can exhaust themselves easily swimming in deep water, and are likely to get confused and swim the wrong direction.

Most dog life vests have a web handle on the topside, and a belly strap that enables you to lift the dog.

Brooke

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 19:04:22

get a Chihuahua.

They know to go to the head. (special training pee pads that absorb like diapers)

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sailorman
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 23:05:10

I agree; get the dog a life vest. We have a Chihuahua,but we also have a 75 lb. lab. The two of them on board is a riot in motion. We do have trouble getting the lab on/off the boat unless we are near a dock. (She is nine years old with a bad hip.) I don't have any tips for that;just be sure to have a life vest for your furry crew.

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 08:05:52

It took a long time to find a life vest small enough to fit the Chihuahua. BTW her name is Lilly.
she wears a harness rather than a collar is on a leash while in the cockpit to prevent her jumping out. I too share a house with both the Chihuahua and a 70 lb hound/border collie mix. (the Chihuahua runs the whole show)

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Downbucket
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 10:15:49

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for your input and John, Lilly sure is cute and looks exceptionally comfortable.

Yes, I will have a lifejacket for Cokie even though she is an excellent swimmer. And, it looks like the Dog Ladder might be the only option if I want to get her into the inflatable to go ashore.

Will

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 10:24:16

Third mate in her life jacket. She also has a harness with saftey line when on deck. The day was hot, but she would not stay below. Lots of kids on other boats on the fleet cruise and she had to keep watch over them all.

Holly on Fleet 25 Zoo Cruise.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2006 : 10:48:53

When going through the contortions of choosing a tender last summer, I finally settled on a dog specific solution. I have a 27LB Wheaton Terrier that is comfortable in canoes and boats and water craft in general. I chose a 10'6" Zodiac. This choice was based on the high wide bow. My dog can jump from the bow of the Zodiac to the deck of LaBarca and at times, she has jumped from the cockpit into the Zodiac. When necesary, the handle on her PFD makes an easy job of moving her in the right direction.
I've found that with larger dogs, they prefer to do at least some of the work/jumping themselves. The handle on the larger dog PFD should be thought of a guiding device as much as a retrieval device.

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Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2006 : 11:34:41

Buy a 250

. You can't beat that open transom for dog retrieval.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Will, get your dog a life vest. Most dog life vests have a web handle on the topside, and a belly strap that enables you to lift the dog. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Brooke is right about the life vest, but make sure it has a handle on top (not all life jackets have a strap on top)and two straps on the belly would be better for a big dog like a Lab.
We have had a couple of Labs and our Chocolate could get aboard with very minimal help using the swim ladder. Our Choc. Lab usually did not wear a life jacket and a slight tug on her collar was all that was needed. The Yellow we have now is a much bigger chore to get aboard and, it is almost impossible to get the yellow aboard without the life jacket with strap.

We have had had three Labs and, all have been good to great swimmers the yellow we had, before the boat, would swim for hours without ever coming to shore for a break.

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CapnEddy
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2006 : 11:07:21

Will,

We sail our 250WB with TWO 80# goldens and trail a 11' Zodiac. After tusseling with the loading/unloading and an occasional dunking of the dogs we invested in a folding PetStep 2 from www.discountramps.com. It cost about $120, weighs 18#, supports 500#, folds to 35", and is good for dock to boat and boat to dingy - and it floats. (Should appear on Letterman!)

Capn Eddy

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