New member & Pets on board

[K9Kampers]

Hello all, new member here. First, what a great resource this site is! I've been lurking & learning here for a while. My wife & I are currently in the market for a used X and my first question relates to sailing with dogs.

We have two cocker spaniels that love boating and being with us wherever we go. I've got ideas about pet proofing the cockpit with a net or fabric panel at the transom so they don't slide overboard. Has anyone already done this? Also, how effective is it to install netting on the cabin top stanchions for pet safety? They will always be wearing doggy PFDs while on deck. Any other ideas for pet-proofing above/below deck? Thanks.

[Night Sailor]

I put a mesh curtain across the opening under the helm seat. It allows storage of lightweight items not used all the time under the seat with out fear of them being lost. it restrains the third gas tank I sometimes use on long cruises.

I bought a large white mesh laundry bag at Walmart, cut it open to the size I needed, then trimmed it in black viny. Put four snaps on the ends at each corner. That allows it to stretch some so I can route the lines from three gas tanks to the four way fuel switch I have mounted behind the helm seat near the motor.

I had netting the full length of a previous 30' boat, and found it to be hard to keep clean, and a haven for spiders which leave black and green spots on the deck.

I think instead of net I'd rig jack lines on the boat and clip your dogs to them with short leashes so they could have a run of the deck,but be retrieved if they fall overboard.

[DLT]

I think instead of net I'd rig jack lines on the boat and clip your dogs to them with short leashes so they could have a run of the deck,but be retrieved if they fall overboard.

If her dogs are anything like mine, that would be a tangled mess in a heartbeat...

[Catigale]

Welcome K9

I think there is also the consideration of where you will be sailing

Inland lake, where fishing out puddle pooches wouldnt be too much trouble

vs

Tidal river with traffic where freighters could Mulch poor fido if you dont get him or her out quickly, and you also might take some time to work back.....

On the securing pooches question I defer to the member who sails with 5 westies over in CA!!!

[Scott]

We just make sure the fido's have life vests on. So far only 1 near overboard 5 years ago. Dogs learn fast.

[Frank C]

My dog loves the boat (only 25 lbs.) but she wouldn't consider going up on deck. Strictly stays in the cockpit, either seats or sole, most likely in the same corner as me. I covered the cockpit sole with a custom-fitted barmat (rubber eggcrate style), so her footing down there is primo. I toss a 6-foot strip of carpet remnant on the seat, and it remains pretty stationary. Indoor-outdoor carpet runner might work too. During spirited heeling, she pretty-much hugs the sole.

She always wears a lifevest, the kind with a handle at the nape. She's a "no fear" jumper around the dock, but missed the coaming once and slid into the water between the dock and hull - that handle proved "handy."

[Richard O'Brien]

If anyone ever needs to create a doghair magnet I'm pretty sure fibreglas will be the prime ingredient. I'm going to try moving pads and antistatic spray this summer? Anyone have any other suggestions, maybe little jackets made from dryer sheets?

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

We just make sure the fido's have life vests on. So far only 1 near overboard 5 years ago. Dogs learn fast.

......I couldnt agree more, and as I observe so many boaters with their dogs on board, I'm amazed how careing most are with life vests, etc. I've noticed many dogs are allowed to run free on deck, and enjoy watching the scenery with guests, Captain, and Admirals. Ours is a "lap dog", and he stays close at hand when on the water. In fact, we rarely go anywhere without "YIPPIE". All we have to say is "LETS GO"....and he grabs his "rope toy" with tail waggin' (we already know to pack & carry his other essentials)...

[Scott]

Cute pics part deux

[jetta01]

Scott, looks a little different than our outings....

We have 2 Siberian Huskies and take them on the boat every time. 2 55 pound dogs make space a bit tight in the cockpit. We do not tie them off, but do make them wear their life jackets anytime we head out into the ocean. They do really well unless we are healing over a bunch. Then they prefer to be down in the cabin.

[Jim Cate]

We have a 100-pound Golden Retriever who loves water and other people and loves to be a part of the action, regardless of what's happening. - I haven't had the nerve to bring him on any of our sails, because I don't know what he might do, although I have seen him jump into a pond to retrieve an object without a second thought. I suppose that the safest thing to do would be to keep him on a leash for the first few trips.

My question is rather basic. - How do you manage "potty breaks" for a large dog on an extended cruise of some 5 - 8 hours? What have others used for appropriate "doggy facilities"?

Thanks,
Jim

[Beam's Reach]

Jim, I have the same dog and he loves the water, boats, people, animals... well he loves pretty much everything, but I've yet to take him on board, and from what Richard says about fibreglass and dog hair, that's probably a good thing. We find hair everywhere now and he's never even been on board yet.

I know he'd love it and we hate to leave him at Grandma's with those sad eyes when he knows we're going on an adventure without him, but I just don't know how we'd cope for a weekend aboard.

At the cottage he's learned how to pee in shallow water (not that this is something we've encouraged, but I've seen him do it) but I don't know how he'd handle deep water. As for the other, he disappears into the bush...how do we handle that on board?

[baldbaby2000]

We've had 2 dogs that sailed. One is still with us. The German Shepard, who is no longer with us, hated it because there wasn't much room. Our smaller dog tolerates it but since we sail on lakes and do a lot of tacking he tends to just lay on the cockpit floor staring out the back of the boat. I don't think he'd do well on the deck with all the manuevering we do.

We also have a cat who absolutely loves the boat. She stays down below most of the time and plays with a ball that rolls around as the boat manuevers. We started her out as a kitten so she's very comfortable on the boat.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Our little furry 4 legged companion goes everywhere with us. When on any trip, we take him on a leash for a long 'sniffin' 'explorin' walk. He likes that, and always does his #1 and #2 on land....never fails....
Then we're "good to go" for easily 3-5 hours. He would likely last much longer, because he is a house dog, and overnighting between #1 and #2 events are 8-9 hours with no problems.

[Kenoten]

My dogs are large and the biggest problem is that they seem to sprawl out in the cockpit. I have never had a problem with either of them trying to jump out. My younder hound has jumped off the dingy though... and then panicks to come right back in.

I have a 97 and I made a much bigger step to get into the cabin. It actually serves as a seat as well in the cabin. My old dog has been on two 2-week trips and the only thing is making sure dogs are allowed wherever you go. He loved it when he was younger. He is 13 and pretty arthritic now so he isn't as comfortable on the boat.