How do you get your dog back in the boat?

[csendker]

I have a Black Lab that LOVES to swim. I now have a 14' runabout that I'm rebuilding (new to boats). I'm sure the two will combine at some point. If she decides to take a swim, how the heck do I get her back in? Is there some sort of doggie-friendly ladder or something? I have an OB so no swim deck.

 

[groper]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

If I'm alone I anchor in waist deep water and place his front paws on the swim platform and push his *** up, he will do the rest. He's a yellow lab and weighs 95 lbs.

 

[Oregon Jon]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

They make great doggie life preservers with built in handles for that very thing. Although if the dog is pretty heavy you might want to get just a basic over the side ladder to assist the both of you. If you want more info I can probably find you a link.

 

[csendker]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

I dunno, a 70~80# dead lift is probably out of my league.

I imaging the basic ladder would be a bit wobbly for wet paws, maybe there's a super-ladder out there ($$$)? Or make something like a cheepie ladder with extra-wide steps in place of the standard ones and something to stiffen it up. A custom doggie ladder of sorts.

Of course, I find that if I look up top and hit the "Marine Store" button that they make these spiffy OB swim platforms. Amazing what you can find when you look, duh. But, I have these pod-thingies on the back of my boat and I'm not sure that one of those would fit. Hmmmmm. Back to the drawing board...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Look on Overtons website.They do sell a dog boarding ladder.I think it was fairly inexpensive too.I have one of the life vests with the handle for my 85 pound Boxer,it works ok but i have to help him up on the swim platform.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

How about building some wooden steps that hang over the gunwail, kind of like steps to a patio but steeper and when flipped around would rest on the deck of your boat? Would be used as steps for the dog to get into the water easily, when turned around, easy to get back in, and could double as shelves on the inside while anchored. Wouldn't be difficult to build and some foam or rubber could protect the hull. Doesn't have to be super heavy duty either.

Check out my crappy 30 second rendition of my thoughts, you'll get the idea.

 

[csendker]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

That was kinda my thinking, starting with an el-cheepo ladder...

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?



If you fish you could make rubber strips to put lures into that fit on the ladders steps and when it's not in use place them on the ladder for easy access. Possibilities are endless hahaha

 

[45Auto]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Cabela's has a bunch of different dog boarding ladders.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat600041

Or how about a long board, maybe a 6 foot 2x10, with a big chunk of foam at one end in the water, and some hooks on the other end to attach to the boat. Nail some 2x4s across it as steps. You could adjust the length to get whatever angle you needed for your dog to climb back in. Would be cheaper than the Cabela's stuff but heavy.

 

[burroak]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

That was kinda my thinking, starting with an el-cheepo ladder...

I think the el cheapo ladder is the start. Attach a 12" extension to the first step under the water and a 24" extension to the second. A strap running along the leading edge on both sides of the extensions up to the transition of the ladder hooks will stiffen it adequately.

If it's put together with bolts and wing nuts, the ladder will still be serviceable for 2 legged critters.

 

[rndn]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Overton's has a doggie friendly ladder for just this purpose.

 

[steelespike]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

When I was a teenager we had a Great Dane that loved to ride on the broad
flatish deck of our Chris Craft kit boat there was raised trim edge but a couple of times he did slide off.With me about 125 lbs and him at about 100 I just grabbed him by the collar and the scruff of the neck and physically dragged him over the fairly low transom.He helped pretty good and went right back to the deck.I can't reccomend this as a friend lost her dog when he fell off her much smaller deck and was run over.When Duke fell off it was at the side because of the raised edge. So I just slowed and turned to get the motor away from him.What has this to do with your problem??I guess it is possible to get a dog back in if your young and stupid and can pull hard enough.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Don't forget the peanut butter!!

 

[Arima90]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

I'm wondering if you'll need a ladder. I think it will be relatively easy to get him over your short gunwale. Once your on that side of the boat and your lifting up on the pooch you'll have only a few inches of free board. I'd give it a shot before putting too much work into building anything. A ladder might just get in the way since you'll likely have to assist the pooch with or without it.

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Train it not to get out.

 

[LSM]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

Here is what we use for our Golden. She can come and go as she pleases.

 

[guy74]

Re: How do you get your dog back in the boat?

I just reach down, grab the handle that is built into his PFD, and lift him into the boat. But our boat dog is a Beagle-Mini Pincher cross that only weighs 25 pounds.