dogs

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dreamer*69

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I will eventually be purchasing a c-dory 22 cruiser. Right now it is me, my wife and our lab retriever. We would like to get another lab, but can our future boat dream hold all four of us, and on extended adventures? We're former Ranger Tugs R 27 owners, loved it, but were ready to downsize our boating life (and maybe up-size the canine family?) and when we saw our first C-dory we were were smitten! Advice?
 
dreamer*69":1vmuvluw said:
I will eventually be purchasing a c-dory 22 cruiser. Right now it is me, my wife and our lab retriever. We would like to get another lab, but can our future boat dream hold all four of us, and on extended adventures? We're former Ranger Tugs R 27 owners, loved it, but were ready to downsize our boating life (and maybe up-size the canine family?) and when we saw our first C-dory we were were smitten! Advice?
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Two labs on a 22 would be cozy IMO.

Be aware that the 22 does not have a transom door to a swim step like the R27 does. The dog will have to go up and over the side or the splash well to get on and off the boat by itself. Otherwise it/they will have to be lifted on and off the boat. For a younger dog this might not be a problem provided the appropriate non-skid surface is applied. Could be a challenge for older dogs or older owners.
 
We don't see dogs as a problem on the c Dory line. We cruised 40,000 miles with two English labs (a little smaller than the average American Lab). We sailed across The Atlantic with a large American lab. Both of these were on large sailboats; at times the dogs did not get ashore for over a month at a time. They swam for exercise.

One C Dory 22 cruised with 3 teen/20 YO, Adult couple and Golden Retriever...so anything is possible...

We have had a 55# Border Collie, and a 50# Chow/shepherd mix, plus a Papillon onboard a 22 C Dory at Lake Powell and in the PNW on several trips.

No problem getting on and off boats--but you have to make accommodations, and train the dog, to pull itself over the rails etc. Also rules like no big dogs on the bunks!! With the 3 dogs in the 22, the dogs slept in the cockpit.

Now that we are old, we have fixed on Miniature Poodles.. Easier to take care than labs! Angel (who is now 14 1/2, blind and deaf, was an escape artist--she could get off the boat when we didn't want her to....She could jump over obstacles we put to keep per from jumping off the swim step...and go for her daily swim. I am sure she has been teaching Gigi (the new pup) some of those techniques...
 
We have cruised our C-Dory 22 with two large dogs. The best advice I can give you is get a Furminator. It works better than any other brush I've used to keep dog hair under control.
Check your bilge pump regularly, hair can clog it.
 
Hopefully Steve and Tina will chime in. They have a 22. Before that they had a 19. They have two dogs they travel with. Not quite as big as labs, but almost. They seemed to do ok on both the 19 and the 22. Colby
 
Dogs rock! Dogs are great. Dogs on boats may not be for everyone.

Unless you enjoy taking a dog shoreside, at some regular interval, for
'business', you must train them early to do their duties on a washable mat
in the cockpit. I used a green + white Michigan State mat (I'm a maze + blue
U of M grad) with a lanyard tied to it and threw it overboard overnight for cleaning.

Dog hair can sink or stall a boat if it accumulates in bilge pumps or engine air
intakes. Some level of diligence is required to prevent this. People who canoe,
kayak, row or sail w/o an auxiliary don't have to be concerned about it.

Most dogs bark which can be good and bad. Good if they are really protecting
you. Bad if excessive bothering you or others nearby. Sound carries really
well over water. What you think is cute, or convenient, may enrage somebody
else.

In the unlikely situation you are helplessly adrift for a prolonged period and
starving, you can eat your dog. Realize they would be selflessly committed
to serve you in their final act of unconditional love.

Pay close attention to your dog. You might learn a few things...

Aye.
 
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