Dog ramp on pontoon boat

[Junkshow]

I,ve got three dogs all over 75 lbs. Have to use their life vest handles and hoist them back in. Was thinking of a way to fabricate a retractable ramp off the fron of the toon. Wondering if anyone has tried this. Most dog ramps for retail are not cost effective and appear to be made for lower boats with swim platforms.
Any suggestions?

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Dog ramp on pontoon boat

I would think with a little bit of steel you could build a rectangular frame put a piece of painted wood on top with some small strips of wood going across for traction. Than mount it to the deck on a hinge so you can flip it up while motoring. Than just make a triangular frame off the back to hold it at the proper angle while it's down. Could probably make the whole thing out of 1x1 angle iron and bolt it together with stainless bolts so you don't have to do any welding.

 

[Junkshow]

Re: Dog ramp on pontoon boat

Was thinking of making it retractable under the deck. I would like to avoid blocking the front gate with a permanent ramp and do not want to take up space on board with a detachable one.

 

[idahodrifter2002]

Re: Dog ramp on pontoon boat

junkshow,

just reading through this thread and thought i would put a suggestion on here. if you are looking to hide your dog ramp, maybe 2 rails made of 1 3/4 angle under your deck for the ramp to slide in, then just make up the ramp like Mikeyboy described. a piece of steel welded to the bottom of the angle and sticking out beyond the edge of it would make a brace to hold it at an angle so the dogs could board. this is the same way the ramp on my snowmobile trailer worked.