dogs in boat

[mllc]

Hello, I am new to boating, and need some advice, and yes, I've searched and haven't really found anything that's exactly what I'm looking for in the threads. I am looking at buying an inflatable boat mainly because its the only type of boat light enough that my new corolla can tow, I just traded in my truck and sold my jet ski last year because I thought I was done with the water, but I guess I wasn't. I am looking at the 15 foot Saturn SD470 with the aluminum floor. My question is, I have two large dogs, one is 85 pounds the other is 65, has anyone had big dogs in their inflatables, or am I just asking to sink? I'm worried their claws will tear the material

The other question I have is, has anyone had any experience with the Saturn line of inflatable boats? I'm thinking of getting a used 20-25 HP outboard. I don't plan on going into the ocean with it, just rivers and lakes, but I never like to rule anything out.

Thanks for your input,
Mike

[thomas]

Not sure about big dogs but my collie adored our dinghy, a Quicksilver 240, we'd get to the boat on a Friday evening and she'd stare at it till I put it in the water, she'd then play in it for hours. She never caused so much as a scratch but regular walks on hard surfaces meant she always has blunt claws.

[Nick Hearne]

My dog loves boats and I have a problem keeping her out but we do not normally take her out of the harbour!
Yes that is 3 black Labs in my sib!!!

[Nick Hearne]

This her normal dog walking transport when in Salcombe

[Peter_C]

I have a 14ft boat and wished I had a 15 footer. Tows great behind my Prius, but my vehicle is modified with bigger wheels and wider tires. Traction is excellent with ZR rated tires. I too sold my 3/4 ton Suburban, and my Nautique after breaking my leg in six places wakeboarding, but found scuba diving to be a suitable replacement.

Many dogs have enjoyed rides in my boat. My dog even managed to put a lifejacket on herself Well kinda.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

My dog loves boats and I have a problem keeping her out but we do not normally take her out of the harbour!
Yes that is 3 black Labs in my sib!!!

Thats a cool pic

Yeah they are no problem .. just get them used to it .. all mine have their own life jackets ... I have a cocker ( who is a swimmer and diver) and a very long dachshund

The claws wont damage the tube material .. the modern stuff is really tough .. they might mark it but thats all

[mick]

My 2 showing off there new attire

[cptsideways]

We have two Springerdors, ones loves the boat the other hates it, I think its the wobbling about she does'nt like.

I'd suggest to get them used to the boat off the water & teach them not to jump off!

[Mistress Rib]

[QUOTE=mick;557503]My 2 showing off there new attire
fab dog vests where did you buy them plz would love to buy one for our monster doggy.

[Locozodiac]

To maintain the status of dogs being man's best friend, usually take mine to a pet shop for proper nail clipping & polishing. Long and sharp nails could end scratching tubes's fabric leaving unwanted thin lines which are very notorious on darker color fabrics...

Happy Boating

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

To maintain the status of dogs being man's best friend, usually take mine to a pet shop for proper nail clipping & polishing. Long and sharp nails could end scratching tubes's fabric leaving unwanted thin lines which are very notorious on darker color fabrics...

Happy Boating

I prefer to wreak havoc on my own pet Hair cuts on a Brittany are brutal and it takes well over an hour. Nails can be done in a few minutes.

[mllc]

Thanks for the responses guys, I don't feel too worried about spending the money on an inflatable anymore.

[harryesd]

Originally Posted by mick

My 2 showing off there new attire

Attachment 83255

Good to see someone caring about the dogs safety.

[mick]

Got them local to me it says marinepool on them
http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/...g#.UfIZoaa9LCQ

[TheKommandant]

I don't have any dogs (wife is allergic) but my mum has two big collie mountain rescue dogs.

They wanted to take them canoeing on some of the lochs near their house but weren't sure about how safe it would be. They knew the dogs could swim but weren't sure what would happen if they should capsize.

So...they tested it, close to shore, capsized the boat dogs and all! Apparently the results were interesting, instead of swimming one of the dogs panicked and tried to climb on top of my mum for buoyancy! Bearing in mind it's a big dog even with lifejackets there were some issues staying above the water for all involved!

Final analysis was, not taking the dogs on the canoe anymore.

[Fenlander]

Ha ha... we took our dog in a Canadian canoe on the river years ago. Never again every time he saw a swan and jumped to one side we were nearly over.

We have an Outward Hound dog lifejacket for our medium size dog which should help him while we all get sorted if the sib went over. However the main advantage which is brilliant is the handle on the top so you can lift him easily in/out at pontoons/beaches etc to stop all the jumping and scrabbling.

This is ours... Dog Life Jacket at Canine Concepts

[jyasaki]

Problem with dogs is that they are not naturally buoyant. They swim (well most of them anyway) until they get tired, then drown.

My dog always has a canine flotation device when she's on the boat.

Pete: Great pic of the dog and pfd!

jky

[Peter_C]

I used to have a chocolate lab, that would stop swimming and just float. She had so much air in her coat she wouldn't sink. I taught her to swim to the bottom of the swimming pool to retrieve balls, and she would cork as soon as she stopped swimming down. Most dogs are naturally good swimmers, but far offshore they are doomed. I have never had one of my dogs out on the ocean, only on inland water ways, where shore is never far away.

[GJ0KYZ]

I'm not really a dog person but I have to admit the mutts in those photos are pretty cute!

[dsgrnmcm]

Pet float all the way, trying to get a big wet dog out of the water is a nightmare, but with a pet float there is a handle.