Dogs, Dinks and Davits

Archis · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

I'm thinking about the problem of getting a large dog on and off the boat. It seems to me that one possible solution would be to have the dog get into the dink while it was hoisted on a set of davits and then lower both the dog and the dink. The reverse prodedure would be used for getting the dog back into the boat.

This is all speculation on my part since as of now, I just have the dog

Has anybody used this method for canine boarding?

Zanshin · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

In your case you might want to think about a boat with a sugar scoop, this facilitates transfers greatly. [edit] When I read that you "just had the dog", I assumed you didn't have a boat yet. Sorry [/edit]

KindOfBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

We have labs and an inflatable dinghy. Our late 90lb Lab Colby and our current smaller (65lbs) lab both developed the same technique for boarding the dinghy from our sailboats (Catalina 30 and Bristol 38.8).

They approach the boarding area of the sailboat and jump onto the pontoon of the inflatable and then into the dinghy. They both do it as if it is one smooth motion with two steps. They either land on the bow chamber or the pontoon lined up next to the sailboat. You almost need to have the dinghy about a foot or so off of the boat so that they don't have to jump directly down.

We also use a life jacket on the dogs with a handle. If you hold the dog from the dinghy by the handle and guide them off of the larger boat and onto the dinghy, you can prevent any hard crashes.

Archis · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Agreed, but a new boat is not an option.

Archis · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Unfortunately my dog is older and jumping is not an option. Even if he could jump into the dink, getting a 100 pound dog back into the boat is still an issue.

TrueBlue · #6 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

How large of a dog is this?
We've always had smaller dogs on our boats, except for visiting family/friends with large dogs. Even with the high free-board of our last boat, Bryer, our daughter's 70 lb. yellow Lab, wasn't much of a problem.

When boarding, we tied the dink alongside a removable boarding ladder and simply lifted him through the boarding gate. You will find that (most) dogs will assist you by kicking off the dink's gunwale with his hind quarters, while using the front legs to lift himself aboard. We are friends with several cruising sailors with larger dogs who use the same technique.

TrueBlue · #7 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Sorry Archis, posted before seeing your last post. Very large, older dogs (and older sailors) do present more of a challenge.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Might also want to consider using a harness to hoist and lower the dog by itself. The dog may not like being in the dinghy when you are raising/lowering it and may jump out.

Archis · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Just hoisting the dog is an option with some mechanical help (davits or hoist), but the idea of him boarding the dink and lowering/hoisting seems like it would be easier - if it works.

Since I don't have davits, I not sure how stable the dink will be when it's hoisted. I also don't know how hard it will be to hoist up the 270ish pounds of Dog, Dink and Motor.

PorFin · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2008

Arch,

It sounds as if you are thinking of going through the hassle of buying davits pretty much just for the dog.

You could probably put together a 4:1 advantage hoist that you could suspend from the boom. Swing the boom outboard and hoist the dog away! The topping lift will support the extra weight.

Just a thought.

PF