Cruising with man's best friend

By Carla Miners

  We've never cruised with a pet. In over 20 years of boating the closest we came to pets onboard was having our children and their friends on the boat when they were young. We've been boat-free for a couple of years now and are looking to find another. Of course now we have a dog.
  We've met a lot of pets on boats over the years. As we contemplate our next boat, we remember vividly the people we used to whisper about way back when, wondering what could they be thinking to bring an animal onboard.
  Two Irish Setters would show up every weekend at our marina, to go cruising on a 30 foot sailboat. The dogs wore big red biker bandanas around their necks. We never could figure out whether it was to keep them cool, collect the 'slobber,' or gag them to stop their incessant barking.
  A couple we knew cruised with a Cocker Spaniel. At anchor the dog would jump off the stern, paddle around for a while then actually climb back up the boarding ladder.
  Another family went everywhere on their boat with their miniature schnauzers. These are small, manageable dogs you can carry on like a bag of groceries. But out there in the anchorage on Sunday mornings, right about dawn, you could count on hearing the putt-putt of a small outboard breaking the early morning quiet as the Captain made way to shore with a pair of perky pups perched like figureheads on the bow of his inflatable. Noses into the wind, and ears laid back, they were anticipating the first constitutional of the day.
  When we brought our boat to the Chesapeake, we acquired a boat neighbor who had two huge talking birds on board. His foul language was often repeated by his pets at a much higher decibel.
  We know a Labrador retriever who loves to go out fly fishing but gets mal-de-mer at anchor; an Australian cattle dog whose favorite summer pastime is herding jet skis; and a Sharpei who wears sunglasses while scooting about in a jet boat.
  When long-term cruising to different countries, pets can be a serious problem.
First there's the various quarantine regulations to consider, and then there's the real fact that in some countries your pet could easily end up as someone's dinner.
  Hank Schmitt, of Offshore Passage Opportunities, has single-handed his Cheoy Lee sailboat to most parts of the world. Today, he puts captains and crew together for offshore sailing ventures. He says, "Guns and pets - leave them home, you're just inviting trouble in other countries."
  Yet, Tania Aebi, the 16 year old who set sail alone out of New York harbor to circumnavigate the globe in the 80s, acquired a kitten companion along the way, and all worked out well.
  Nowadays, pet owners seem to take their animals just about everywhere they go. Books have been written about pet-friendly motels and hotels. In Maryland, a new bill was introduced to the legislature this past winter approving pet-friendly sections in restaurants! New homes are being built with "Pet Playrooms!"
  The popularity of people bringing their pets - and it's mostly dogs -- to their boats has grown to the point where boating guides are classifying marinas as "pet friendly" or not.
Many marinas have created dog-walking areas along with boxes offering pooper-scooper bags to ensure the area is kept clean.
  Boating with your favorite animal requires a lot of responsibility and work on your part, and often, some serious discomfort for your pet. If you're a daytripper, a pet on board is a lot easier to deal with than those on board and out of the marina for a weekend or longer.

Introducing Fido to the boat
  First, get your cat or dog a PFD. Some animals can't swim and, even if he can swim, when your pet falls or jumps overboard, odds are he will tire or get hypothermia long before you figure out how to get him back on the boat.
  Cats and dogs both like stable environments. How well they cope with boat motion is your first problem. Animals prone to carsickness will need a longer adjustment period than those who are not. You can buy motion sickness medicine in your favorite pet store to help things along, but keep in mind, these are usually tranquilizing.
  Start out by bringing the dog to the boat on weekends early in the spring, long before you plan to leave the dock. Let the dog get used to the boat's motion. At the same time he should be wearing the PFD - that takes getting used to also.
  Turn on the engine every once in while. See if the sound bothers the dog. Some will be very frightened and others will just howl or bark until the noise stops. Let him get used to your engine's particular sounds.
  Find a place on board that can forever be his spot and place a mat, a pad, or pet bed there. This is a place he can always go to feel secure. After he gets used to the new environment and becomes comfortable, it's time for a few short trips...like a quickie to the fuel dock and back.

Supplies
  Plenty of water: Dogs can easily get dehydrated in the sun on a boat, and they lose a great deal of body fluid just panting in the heat.
Pet bed or substitute. A 'castle' of cushions for kitty.
Non-skid-bottom water and food dish or one of those non-skid rubbery type openweave mats sold for galley storage, in marine stores.
Awning or bimini to create a shaded area on deck. Your pooch can get sunstroke, heat exhaustion and sunburned skin.
Litter box for the cat. Keep it on the lowest and most level part of the boat. Expect to find litter pieces everywhere on the boat your cat walks including your berth, because these little pieces get stuck in the pads of their paws only to fall out later. Choose the litter type accordingly. Long-term cruisers can't take enough litter along for a cat's needs - imagine a boat laden down with sacks and sacks of kitty litter. There are alternatives.
Pooper scooper bags and/or shovel and a deodorized container (like the ones sold in baby stores to hold soiled disposable diapers) to keep them in. Don't throw them overboard. On land, use the appropriate waste facility.

On and off and up and down
  When you set out to sea with a dog too heavy to carry, you've added the boarding problem. Any dog can jump off a boat but how do you get him back on? Want to take your big dog on your sailboat? It's hard enough for humans to scale some of the sailboat companionway ladders I've seen, much less a dog. And then there's in and out of the dinghy to think about. Orvis and L.L. Bean catalogs sell portable fold-up, lightweight ramps intended for ageing and arthritic dogs. These might work on your boat.

Fitting Fido with a PFD
  West Marine stores will allow you to bring in your pet for a try-on session. One size does not fit all in pet PFDs.
  Make sure the straps go around the dog in the right place - if they are too tight or in the wrong spot he won't be able to walk which means he won't be able to swim either. The PFDs with the quick release straps are the only ones to buy.
  Look for handles on the PFD of choice so you can easily pick your pooch up out of the drink.
  Pick a bright color so you can spot the dog quickly. Don't buy camo!
  If your dog absolutely hates his PFD try the newer lightweight versions.

Other considerations
  Don't wax the non-skid or any places your dog will walk on deck where he can slip and fall overboard. Consider putting up safety netting sold in marine stores. Pet stores do sell a concoction you can rub on pet's footpads to alleviate sliding or skidding on slippery floors - try it.
  Keep a bucket of water or shower bag handy to wet down the dog in the heat and wet down the decks. Oiled or varnished teak and fiberglass can get hot enough under foot to burn the pads of your pet's paws.
  Remember, dogs (and other pets) are like kids. Some are well behaved and some are not. Some are a pleasure to be around, and some are not. And, odds are some of your marina neighbors are not pet-friendly. Don't let your on-board pet drive other boaters to seek a new harbor.

The End 

Looking for Pet-Friendly Marinas?

The newest edition of Northeast Boaters Almanac is featuring free listings of Pet Friendly Marinas in the cruising waters from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine.

More and more cruising boaters are opting to bring their pets - especially dogs - along on their cruising vacations. These boaters want to know where they are welcome. many marinas are now providing a dog walk area, scooper bags and, in some cases, even pet sitting services, such as those offered by the dock staff at St. Michaels Harbor Inn, Marina and Spa on the Chesapeake Bay.

Over 2,000 marinas and boaters facilities are listed and located on 235 full page NOAA Harbor Charts in this 672 page Almanac. All listings are free. The publishers have totally redesigned the book's listing pages for the 2005 edition and invite marina owners and managers to submit their pertinent marina's information by fax to 410-885-5172.

The publishers are also including three more new listing features in their guide: Internet Hook-up, on-site Swimming Pool, and Dock & Dine Restaurant.

Free listing information should be submitted before September 15, 2004 for December publication.