Since there was a thread about bringing dogs aboard, I have another question. We are looking at trading up to a 260 or 280 in 6-8 mos mostly to give us the freedom to travel the Tampa, St Pete, Sarasota coast. This would include overnighting in different marinas at times. Our issue is that we would bring our yellow lab with us and I question if it is safe to leave her on the boat if we went out for dinner, shopping, ect for a couple hours at a time. Of course we would most likely have shore power for the ac, but what precautions are needed in case of power failure? Do you leave the hatches open for air? She would be content to just snooze in the cabin, but I worry about CO2 from other boats, heat from power loss, ect? Do others leave their pets on board alone? I have left her on the boat a few times as we have eaten at local resturants, but we were only 20 yards from the boat and she was in sight.
Crusing with a dog
- Thread starter 180 Sport
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PlayDate
Well-Known Member
I have a yellow lab too. Her name is Roxy. It is only now that she is turning 6 years old that I am comfortable with leaving her for a couple of hours in the cabin. She likes to sleep so as long as she is cool, there isn't a problem. I usually give her a rawhide bone and bowl of water and she is set.
The bigger issue is the dog hair. You could make a rug with all the hair that comes off her in the summertime.
-John
The bigger issue is the dog hair. You could make a rug with all the hair that comes off her in the summertime.
-John
Ours is named Bailey....I am not concerned about her destroying anything...she is unusually calm for a lab. She would be very content if we left her....I was just curious if there was any safety risk for her. I assume you lock the cabin door...do you open the hatch? I guess the chances of losing shorepower are very slim, but I was just wondering. And of course we are all to familiar with the hair!!! We have a Dyson vacuum at home...it works great. May need to invest in a small one when we get the cruiser.
- Feb 4, 2007
- 7,251
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA, TNT, Caribe dink w/15hp OB.
- Engines
- 3126 427HP TD transmissions
I leave mine on the boat a few hours at a time. I just kick on the a/c if it's hot or I open some windows if it's cool outside. this is at night mostly so if the power kicked off for some reason, it'll stay pretty cool for some time. but i've never had that happen so I can't say for sure.
beerman
Member
We leave our chocolate lab on board some times when we go somewhere. We usually leave on a fan because we don't have air. Never a problem.
Luckydogs
New Member
We sometimes leave ours locked in the cabin. Once the cabin cools down it seems to stay cool for awhile, good insulation I guess so you should not be too concerned about the heat. I would suggest leaving a window open for ventilation for surrounding boats or if you're running he gen, but that would cancel out the aforementioned cooling theory.
Our main concern is someone stealing them. I have recently learned that Motobella (sp) keys are compatible with other boat/brands. EX: a friend's Silverton cabin key opened another's Carver cabin, scary!
Our main concern is someone stealing them. I have recently learned that Motobella (sp) keys are compatible with other boat/brands. EX: a friend's Silverton cabin key opened another's Carver cabin, scary!
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
This is going to boil down to your making sure the dog is comfortable on the boat.
We have 3 Boston Terriers (if any of you know Bostons, you know we are fools!) and they are as happy on the boat as they are at home. Each has his "spot" and as soon as the cabin door is open, they know they can get piece and quiet in their spot. We can be gone for 5-6 hours at a time and they will not move from their spot if we have worn them out earlier in the day.
We make it a practice to never leave the boat more than a couple of hours in the day time due to the heat. At night, if you lose power, the boat will stay cool enough for the dogs.
One word of warning, however: You absolutely must know how your dog will react in your absence, even if he is subjected to exterior noise, wakes, movement, thunder, rain etc. A dog with separation anxiety on a boat can do more damage in an hour then you can pay for in a year.
As far as cruising with dogs is concerned, always make reservations for the boat at the marina where you plan to overnight. Make the reservations well in advance and always confirm several days in advance of arrival. Always ask when you make the reservations if dogs are allowed........a lot of resort oriented marinas frown on dogs.
We have 3 Boston Terriers (if any of you know Bostons, you know we are fools!) and they are as happy on the boat as they are at home. Each has his "spot" and as soon as the cabin door is open, they know they can get piece and quiet in their spot. We can be gone for 5-6 hours at a time and they will not move from their spot if we have worn them out earlier in the day.
We make it a practice to never leave the boat more than a couple of hours in the day time due to the heat. At night, if you lose power, the boat will stay cool enough for the dogs.
One word of warning, however: You absolutely must know how your dog will react in your absence, even if he is subjected to exterior noise, wakes, movement, thunder, rain etc. A dog with separation anxiety on a boat can do more damage in an hour then you can pay for in a year.
As far as cruising with dogs is concerned, always make reservations for the boat at the marina where you plan to overnight. Make the reservations well in advance and always confirm several days in advance of arrival. Always ask when you make the reservations if dogs are allowed........a lot of resort oriented marinas frown on dogs.
BrentJones
Member
I have a Golden and we have no choice but to leave him out in the open. We have trained him to stay on the boat, but have not left him there for more than a few hours. We keep the storage area behind the helm open for shade and we usually have the bimini top open too. If I had a cruiser, I'm not sure what I would do about leaving them in the cabin. I would be nervous something would happen and they are helpless.
Thanks for all the replies so far. I knew there would be some help here. I didnt think about them being stuck in the cabin if something bad happened, or someone stealing them......you read about horrible things like that all the time. I guess it will be something to decide on a case by case basis. As far as the keys being interchangeable....has anyone here experienced that with their searay? I have seen some different types of security systems also....does anyone here have one? I know marinas are filled with other boaters and you usually dont have to worry about people, but you never know.
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
On the key question, yes, a lot of Sea Rays can be accessed with a common key. For some reason, unknown to intellignt life form, Sea Ray put the same key code on about 70 % of the boats. This only affects one style of lock, but that one involves most Sundancers. I help look after 6-7 boats that friends own in our marina and my door key fits all of them.
I do have a secruity system and love it.....except for when I need to have the marina guys do something on the boat for me. No matter how well or thoroughly I explain the proceedure to disarm it, they set it off. In 6 years, the only times my system has activated was when either I or the mechanic that helps me screwed up. Honestly, I'm not sure I's spend the money for the alarm again. Powerboat owners are generally a good bunch and you don't have much risk if you don't do something negligent.
I do have a secruity system and love it.....except for when I need to have the marina guys do something on the boat for me. No matter how well or thoroughly I explain the proceedure to disarm it, they set it off. In 6 years, the only times my system has activated was when either I or the mechanic that helps me screwed up. Honestly, I'm not sure I's spend the money for the alarm again. Powerboat owners are generally a good bunch and you don't have much risk if you don't do something negligent.