Best dinghy for dogs

R

RodMB

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7 Jul 2005
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Boat kept at Dunstaffnage - near Oban
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I read the recent thread about getting dogs onboard with interest. My wife and I have just got our first boat (Sadler 29). We too had wondered about the practicalities of taking our dogs with us. Both our dogs have been aboard a charter yacht on the Caladonian Canal and seems to cope well but it was relatively easy getting them on and off the pontoon.

We're going to need to buy a dinghy now (probably second hand) and I had wondered about the relative merits of the various floor designs available with regard to providing a stiffish base / floor pan hopefully not easily damaged by 8 dog paws. I'm aware of the wooden slatted type floor pans but I find these difficult enough getting in and out of and suspect the dogs wouldn't like the alteration in 'give' between the wooden slats and the rubber. I also worried about the dogs claws on the rubber which never seems that strong to me.

I've never been in one of the dinghys that has a pump up floor but wondered if this might give an more uniform / stable floor however again the worry about punctures arises.

For safety I wouldn't like to be stuck with a rigid tender being towed and we would require a dinghy during trips (ie leaving at base not an option).

I'd be grateful to hear of other experiences with dogs in dinghies.

For info dogs are both crosses (collie / lurcher), (alsatian / terrier) 19kg and 22kg repectively.

Many thanks

Rod MB

PS That dog boarding ladder looked great (in previous thread) - has anyone any experience of dealing with the company in Holland regarding delivery or aware of any stockests in UK?
 
a hard floor is easier on the dog, but primarily because he doesnt end up with wet feet! Claws are not a problem provided he is well exercised and thus claws well blunted, but you should watch the dew claw.

The advantages of the solid floor are normally also somewhat ofset by the slight instability introduced by the inflatable keel.

My lab was happy in a slatted floor and a solid floor, but the wet paws (especially if dirty!) can make grip on the GRP deck more difficult.
 
I take a West Highland Terrier in both my rigid dinghy and my avon with no floorboards at all. She is quite comfortable in either, and as far as I can tell can't tell the difference between the rigid floor dinghy and the avon with a floor that gives under every step. As long as she can rest her front legs on the side and her back legs on the floor she is prefectly happy whatever is happening around her. The big thing is to stop her trying to get in the water as she does like a good swim. So I always keep her on a tight lead which I hold in my hand while I row.
I use a lifejacket on her as it makes it so easy to just lift her on board using the handle, even though my freeboard is close to 3 feet. But she is small and it is an easy lift, I wouldn't like to do it with a large dog particularly with my rigid dinghy which is somewhat unstable when I stand up.
 
We take our two Border Collies everywhere on the boat. We have a wood slatted floor Zodiac tender and they love it. Cant imagine their claws ever being sharp enough to damage the tubes or floor, the fabric is very tough, and they dont mind wet feet for the trip to shore or around the marina etc.
 
Just don't make the mistake SWMBO made years ago, on the return trip to the boat. A bit of surf was happening so she ordered to dinghy to wait in deeper water while she waded out carrying Hobie Dog, the Border Collie/Springer Spaniel cross in her arms. As she progressed into deeper water, Hobie climbed up onto her shoulders, and then her head, to avoid the wet.
 
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