If your dog is too big to easily lift in and out of the dinghy or onto a dock, how do you get them on and off the boat? Pamela Douglas, The Boat Galley’s VA, used a ramp for her golden retriever, Honey. Some boaters teach their dog to jump safely. Of course, over time, jumping may become more difficult. So what to try?
Dog Steps for a Boat
But Christine Springfield on MV Conchy Tonkin’, came up with a different solution that she refers to as “Red Neck Dog Steps” to get their lab, Jack, on and off the boat. She says that she never had to teach Jack or Maggie (her other lab who died a couple years ago) how to use the steps as they were already familiar with going up and down stairs. The dogs just used the steps without hesitation.
She and her husband Scott (in the pictures) bought a set of fiberglass dock steps that they tie to Conchy Tonkin’. A fender between the steps and the boat protects the boat. All they do is steady the dinghy under the steps and the dogs go up and down on their own.
The bonus, says Christine, is that when they do go to a marina and need dock steps, they’ve got them. Like everything on a boat, the steps serve two purposes!
As you can see from the photos, these are fiberglass steps you can find at Amazon or any marine store. They drilled holes in the edge of the steps and threaded sturdy lines through with big knots to keep them secured. The lines are tied to the stanchions. Once it’s in place, you simply need to hold it steady.
Big Dog Boarding a Boat
Thanks to Christine, Scott and Jack for these photos, taken after they stopped by to chat with us the other night! And yes, Jack really does take his ball everywhere.
Learn More
This article only shows the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dogs on boats. Our on-demand online course, Cruising With Your Dog, gives you the in-depth details and how-to info so that you don’t have to piece it together from 50 different articles or — even harder — by trial and error. Best of all, it’s available as a standalone course or as part of the All-Access Pass.
As Jack shows us, big dogs deserve to have fun on boats too. And with useful tips, there’s no reason to leave your large pup on land.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Dana Swatts says
Hello, Where did you find these steps! I have been searching for this !!