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 Webster, The Boat Galley’s VA, uses a ramp for her golden retriever, Honey.
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!
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.
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Trish says
Any ideas for a ladder for a center cock pit sailboat for a 80lb dog?
Christine says
We are both laughing… Jack and Scott are “famous”! We used the 3 step Taylor-made steps, if anyone is interested. They also work with an inflatable dinghy although my J12 skiff is pictured. We have also used them for human boarding on occasion although they are not 100% stable horizontally…. we are just VERY careful. If you are way off center, your steps will slide sideways. Our dogs seemed to understand that naturally.
Dana Swatts says
Hello, Where did you find these steps! I have been searching for this !!