Cats and cruising (The sort that miaow)

[Rogerkynaston]

Greetings All
We are hoping to acquire a cat soon as we have moved out of our flat to a house. However, we would also like to take it sailing with us. When I was a teenager we took our cats with us once or twice but not very often. Does anyone know if it can be done successfully or not. I was thinking of putting a bed in the quarterberth and using a tether to stop it being able to get beyond the edge of the deck.

All suggestions received gratefully.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Plenty of cats on live-aboard boats. I know of one that was even trained to use the head - though he never did master the art of pumping out.

The main problem seems to be them going missing when you are at a dock and ready to leave.

 

[rhumlady]

That is a definite yes. our two Siamese go with us all the time and are perfectly at home on board but... when in a marina they go looking for the biggest boat around if not kept on board. We have netting all round to try to keep them on board and hang a towel over the side to let them get back on board if they fall overboard in harbour. We have a litter tray under the hanging locker with it's own entrance and as for as sleeping arrangements they sleep where they want as at home. They like the spray hood as they cand sleep on it in harbour and under it at sea. You need to be careful at sea obviously but we keep them in the cockpit or down below. Once under way the tend to find a place to sleep and stay there. If my wife goes for a nap or my daughter is with us they will usually curl up with them.
We did meet a couple who took there cat on it's first trip, from Falmouth to the Western Isles, at the age of 17 and he got on fine. It make it less stressful on us not worring about them.

 

[Rogerkynaston]

Thanks, that is very encouraging.