dogs on sailboat

[MacGyver]

Anyone else have little dogs that will sail with you on the boat?

We are thinking about getting a couple dog life jackets and see if we cant get em to go sailing with us, they have spent the night on the boat already, but no sailing yet.

[Billy]

We have two babies we take out with us......

[MKBLK]

Jason - My Yellow Lab Mollie loves the water. She's never been on a boat before but I've purchased a PFD for her. I wouldn't think of going out on the river (or bay) without her wearing it (and a lifeline as well). She weighs 70 lbs. and requires an Extra Large PFD. Got it from Outward Hound at PetSmart.

Many years ago, we had a little (20 lbs.) furry mutt named Inky. You can guess how he got his name! Inky loved to sail. He'd perch himself on the bow cowling of my little Sunflower sailboat. Inky got rides on lakes, rivers and Toms Cove in Assateague, VA. He was a great sailor! He never fell off the boat.

Marty K.

[Ralph Erickson]

Angus, a 50lb black lab/spaniel mix, likes to go sailing with us.  He usually retires to the cabin and sleeps in the bunk under the cockpit while we sail.  He was a rescue dog, and when the agency we got him from learned I like to sail, they sent a PFD with him when we got him!

Ralph

[Bob23]

Here's shot of Bentley, my daughters 6 pound Papillon at the helm. I can't say he loved it but he did ok. He did complain about the slight weather helm of my 23, though. With ears that big, we could use him for a spinaker!

bob23

[deisher6]

Hey Jason:
Interesting topic and pictures.
This is Daisy our Weimeraner checking out the skipper and accommodations below.  She is not really big on sailing and has issues with traction on the decks.  She is however a great bird dog. We have not really found a satisfactory lifejacket and are skeptical on buying things without fitting them first.   We have had marginal luck with mailorder reflective vests, brush guards, and coats.  We also take her kayaking and are concerned about her safety.  Our plan in the kayak is to hold her alongside and head for shore.  A good lifejacket with a handle would be a much better plan.

[MacGyver]

At our marina we sell these doggie life jackets and they look pretty well built.
Plan to buy a couple of those and give em a try. My searches online have brought up several different brands, and none seem to be the best deal and solve all the issues.

Thanks everyone for the responses, one of these days we will take em aboard for a sail, see how they act. One dog is very anxious, the other is adventurous. Im more afraid of the little adventurous one leaping off the boat under sail than the other one. :O