Getting dogs on and off

[Colin K]

Hello,
We have a dog (a Toller) who loves the boat and swims with us at any opportunity. We have a Fairline Corniche which has a decent bathing platform with the standard fitted boarding ladder.
He needs no help getting in the water but getting out is a matter of me getting out first and helping him out with the hook on his life jacket.
I wonder if he might eventually get to grips with the ladder but was curious I was missing a trick or if there is anything that I could put on a portion of the bathing platform that might give him a bit of grip to get back onto it?

Cheers, Colin.

 

[sarabande]

How about a dog ramp, with a float attached. One end on the bathing platform, the other in the water.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Folding-Lightweight-Strong-Black/dp/B01N20KRRG

 

[Bouba]

At last, my area of expertise!
We've used Doggy Docks. Very easy for the dog to learn how to use, and the big yellow pontoons give him a target to aim for. Dogs can panic if they don't find the way out of the water first time.
Down side, its big and takes up a lot of deck room and lazaret space. A lot of effort to setup and it needs fendering so it doesn't scratch your boat.

Ok this one is blue but buy a yellow one.

This is the easiest and cheapest to use, just attach it to your swimladder, make sure you set it at the exact depth in the water so the dog can easily step on it and still be able to jump up on the swim platform. Down side, not many but if you are also swimming then you need to detach it first (but it doesn't have to be taken out the water). Dog needs to know it's there so a little practice is needed

Both come from America

 

[Portofino]

An actual proper use for a hi lo bathing platform .
Worth thinking about when big dog owners are changing boats .

 

[rubberduck]

We have two Cavapoo's, & have to carry them on & off like babies as they don't like getting wet.

 

[Fishtigua]

Our little mutt managed to escape from the house, run down to the boatyard and swam right across a very busy English Harbour (Antigua) and out to sea as Mum & Dad set sail for 6 months away in South America.

Yep, Dad had to grab him by the scruff, turn the boat around and sail back in to the dock where half an hour earlier we all waved them off. He was not chuffed with my babysitting!

 

[Colin K]

Hello,
Thanks for the ideas and pics. I have some thoughts from these and will go down with my tools this weekend.

Cheers, Col.

 

[Andrew M]

I've looked at several options for this as well. Dog - spaniel,x collie 20kgs, we ended up changing boats so I didn't complete it but I do love a little project like this.

My intended solution involved the Solvit bi -fold ramp , http://www.solvitproducts.com/ultralite-bi-fold-pet-ramp , it is folding, light, and has a really grippy surface on it, I was going to make fittings so it clipped onto the platform and could extend down into the water with bouys attached on both sides to keep the furthest out end underwater at a good depth for the dog to find it and walk onto it, you do of course need enough flotation that it will take the walking out the water weight of a soaking dog or it'll just sink lower and acquire a steeper and steeper angle as they start walking up it. I think there's more of this stuff around now that 4 yrs ago even.
Keep us informed on what you decide on.

 

[Colin K]

Thanks for the reply and link.

With the weather being so bad we have delayed our cruise for a week or so and I am on board at the moment with my tape measure whilst the pila pump drains the engine oils yawn!

Management has asked whether the ramp could double as a ramp to get up to the flybridge so looking at that too.

Personally I rather enjoy lowering down a horrified Toller through the hatch with him shaped like a starfish ha ha. Actually I think he likes it too judging by how keen he is to get up there and navigate.

I will advise what I come up with.

Cheers, Col.