Dogs Overboard

[Third Day]

Purchasing a 1995 Albin 28 TE in 2 weeks. Boat has a swim platform, but unfortunately, has no Transom Door. I'm trying to figure out how to allow my 70 lb, 10 year old dog get on and off for a swim when we are on the hook. Any ideas?

[RobS]

I am surprised you would consider a boat without the door. I had 2 deals that I would have pulled the trigger on when I was TE shopping but no door, no deal. Getting the big pup out of the water and up onto the swim platform will be a chore in itself. At least the wet dog will be confined to the swim platform and not run for the cabin like mine does!

[DougSea]

Bringing this back since a friend also just bought a 28 with no door, and has a dog.

How about a set of those boarding steps they have at West Marine. Relatively small, light, and with 3 steps maybe just enough for Fido to get to the top of the transom. Could be secured to the platform with Velcro while in use and do double duty helping get in/out at the dock.

I'll try and find a link/picture.

Edit: Here's a link to the steps at WM.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... aTtFWSY7Vt

You still need to get the dog onto the platform...but there are a bunch of options out there for that.

I'm trying to come up with the best option for our labs. One of them should have no problem with a regular transom door, which we have, and some help, but the other one gets all skittish and will probably freak out. (And he's the one that loves to swim!)

[Third Day]

Thanks Doug. I'll check it out

[jcollins]

I had 2 deals that I would have pulled the trigger on when I was TE shopping but no door, no deal. !

I'm with Rob on this one. I have 3 Goldens. (13,3,and 1)
Getting them out of the water is bad enough. And, since the old guy can't jump into the boat when tied to the dock, he just steps onto the swim platform and walks in. Another advantage of a floating pier.
Although those steps are nice, it's another "thing" to carry onboard.
The door was a must-have when I was shopping.