Pictures of Dog/Cat ramps

[MBLittle]

Haven't been able to find a good resource of pictures and/or drawing plans people have made for dog/cat ramps that go from the transom into the water. Either for pet overboard purposes or general to help dogs get back aboard.

We have a large black lab who loves the water. She'll happily swim all day. I would rather not have to shove a 90lb dog back aboard.

I know I read and heard of ramps that people have.

Anyone have any pictures or plans they want to share?

[janice142]

Replying, as I'm interested too in making something for Skipper more for convenience sake than because of need.

For a cat, simply hang a towel over the side. Any cat worth its claws will self rescue and won't be one bit happy about the experience. A fresh water rinse is ESSENTIAL to get the salt off the critter.

Good luck!

[zeehag]

my cat uses a sherpa backpack to leave my formosa. he does not leave to go for a ride, as he is the guard dog par excellence.....
for returning from a falling overboard, i have a cat ladder, which is not in use in marina. it is a braided former mooring bridle for my ericson.
he uses a leash and doesnt fall overboard anymore--finally learned by age 7 not to tease his leash....he will pick it up in his teeth and walk self. good kat.

[Ocean Girl]

What kind of transoms do you have?

[GreyBeardVA]

Originally Posted by janice142

Replying, as I'm interested too in making something for Skipper more for convenience sake than because of need.

For a cat, simply hang a towel over the side. Any cat worth its claws will self rescue and won't be one bit happy about the experience. A fresh water rinse is ESSENTIAL to get the salt off the critter.

Good luck!

I have been searching for something as well for my 100# Shepherd that will be cruising with me. I found

this video

that gave me some ideas. Doesn't look like the standard version would work well on a sailboat but maybe with a couple of the available extensions...

[MBLittle]

It sounds like there is interest in seeing some solutions. Sure hope people post some pictures.

[SVNeko]

commercial product

Floating Water Ramps for Dogs - Ideal for Boats, Docks and Pools - Pet Classics™

[SVNeko]

home made

Swim-steps for dogsSo Many Beaches

[Ocean Girl]

Best bet might be something midship, depending on the vessel. Here are some ready made doggie ramps that might be fit to your vessel








Hope that helps

[minaret]

Originally Posted by janice142

Replying, as I'm interested too in making something for Skipper more for convenience sake than because of need.

For a cat, simply hang a towel over the side. Any cat worth its claws will self rescue and won't be one bit happy about the experience. A fresh water rinse is ESSENTIAL to get the salt off the critter.

Good luck!

I rescued a neighbors cat like that once. It climbed up the towel and then up my arm in a split second! Clawed me all up and ran off, no thank you. That's a cat for you.

[Intentional Drifter]

We find the Paws Aboard to work quite nicely off the catamaran's sugar scoop and swim ladder. We had to modify it slightly, but it was easy. Our 85 lb labradoodle took to it very quickly (well, while using Nacho Cheese Doritos, his favorite, as a reward). After 4 or 5 successful entries & exits, that was it. Just leave it attached at an anchorage and he gets his exercise at will. They do use cheap SS fittings, though, so a bit of PB Blaster every now and then is necessary.

ID

[Sand Castle]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Best bet might be something midship, depending on the vessel. Here are some ready made doggie ramps that might be fit to your vessel

Hope that helps

I have the middle one. It's portable and plastic. It works, but can feel flimsy. But my dog is 80 pounds. The steps are slick for him, so I'm thinking of some light paint and sand on them.

Doesn't match my teak swim platform but works most days.

[monte]

scroll down to post 6 on this thread
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1256967

[Sunnyside]

I desperately needed this one last month, when Bud (65+ lbs, weak back legs, 12 yr old, yellow Lab), who is going deaf and has ulcers in his eyes, fell in the water. I was pulling the cord to the drop the life line when he skirted around me as I told him "no, wait Bud". He leapt from the floating finger pier to the cockpit of the sailboat but met the double lifelines and falling backwards in to the water.

I struggled for 30 minutes to get him back to the bow of the boat and attempt to lift him on to the dinghy dock while keeping my Golden from jumping in to help him. We were too far from the shore for him to swim and could not see it. Thank Goodness for a young worker on the pier ran down to help me save Bud. So I almost lost a crew member.

He is now more caution about jumping on the boat. His back legs are weak, and a ramp would be difficult for him. So one that he rest in would be much easier.

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by Sand Castle

I have the middle one. It's portable and plastic. It works, but can feel flimsy. But my dog is 80 pounds. The steps are slick for him, so I'm thinking of some light paint and sand on them.

Doesn't match my teak swim platform but works most days.

What about whipping some carpet treads to each step? Easier for him to grip.