Cruising with Pets

[s/v Emerald Tide]

  Some folks will say that taking a pet aboard is cruel.  I do not agree.  Peter had the time of his life on our trip, and even now he gets excited when I start packing boat gear to head out. 

  As others have said, make sure you introduce any animal to the boat in a careful way and do be a good Captain and not subject them to something they will not be able to tolerate... but with that said I would say 'go for it'.

I can't imagine cruising without my dogs.  We have done overnights on the boat, and day trips, and they are getting used to the movement of the boat.  I keep them secured, so there are no "dog overboard" drills.

They are much happier with me than in a yucky old kennel.  They don't speak English, but I do speak some dog, and I'm pretty sure they are saying they want to go sailing!

[marujo_sortudo]

Cruising with our Boston Terrier, Maye, adds quite a bit to the experience in all kinds of ways.  If the timing works out, we might put her in the Boatyard dog trials for fun:

http://www.maineboats.com/boatshow/visitors/boatyard-dog

[JWalker]

Agreed, pet company is wonderful cruising...but it does add alot to the complexity.

I'm not sure if once max goes we will replace him, simply because it would make things simpler for cruising.

[Michael Homsany]

Boatyard dog trials?  Do they loose points if they have both eyes and an intact tail? :)

[Monovasia]

I sailed with a full size German Shepherd...she loved the boat, hated humans and was excellent company and port security when I went ashore. Walked her well every time I went ashore and she was able to hit the foredeck when necessary (although she never really got used to that). Downside with her was that there was HAIR EVERYWHERE...

I now sail with 2 full size dachshunds...small dogs are easier to handle for sure...they stay quite, eat less, adapt to voiding aboard and are still great port security alarms....

I will comment that any pet is a hassle on board and in some ways a distraction...I also have a ham radio station that enables me to check into nets, check passage weather and keep me connected to the human race when offshore for a longer period of time.

All in all for a day sail...an overnight...should be fine...on an extended bluewater cruise I would not take a pet with me

[ntica]

My vision is a very tame bird (!)...freeflying even on offshore voyages, and even on the outside of the boat. don't know if this will work but wanna try, a canarie purhapse?!
Another great pet must be a hugh rat (with no teeth). a well adapted and if caught in custom, "it must have sneeked aboard in a harbour, somwhere" ;D

[Frank]

Had to post a pic of Sadie  ;D She's cruised the Flo. Keys and Abacos with us. This is up river here at home

[Tim]

Wow! Stylin'!!!

[Frank]

We were out sailing yesterday and went ashore in a lil town up river. There was an "event" on at the yachtclub so we didn't stay but Vicky went inside to use their head....leaving me to hold her water bottle and watch Sadie. There was a steady flow of people in-out as I stood there....then it hit me. There I was...just hanging around outside the washrooms holding Vicky's "pink" waterbottle and Sadie..with her pink life jacket on. Kinda like when your fly is down.....only bugs ya when you realize it  ;D

[Tim]

Under the circumstances, I am REALLY glad your fly wasn't down. :o

[Frank]

no kidding  ;D :o :o

[s/v Faith]

Does anyone have any thoughts on getting a dog to the Bahamas? 

The situation is that I am in Marsh Harbour, in the Abacos.  I know the legal requirements, the USDA health physical and the pet import permit... But what I am trying to figure out is how someone could get a dog in the country short of sailing back across the pond and picking it up.

I once read about bring a dog back and forth aboard the mail boat, but the schedules I can find only talk about going between destinations in the Bahamas, not back and forth to the US.

Any input will be appreciated.

[Frank]

There are a few air services that fly dogs. Someone would have to drop off in a kennel etc. We flew Sadie to Ft Lauderdale with us from Marsh Harbour on a small 6 seater...another mini airline goes to Daytona. I have the info at work if you want names.

[Frank]

OK...the one we used to Ft Lauderdale was "Island Wings". They fly out of the "Ft Lauderdale executive airport"....relatively small and simple compared to the main airport. Think "treasure cay airport" size

[s/v Faith]

There are a few air services that fly dogs. Someone would have to drop off in a kennel etc. We flew Sadie to Ft Lauderdale with us from Marsh Harbour on a small 6 seater...another mini airline goes to Daytona. I have the info at work if you want names.

Yes, absolutely.  That would be very helpful Frank, thanks.

[Frank]

Here goes   http://www.flyislandwings.com/    The pilot was super dog friendly!!

[Frank]

"Airgate" is the dog friendly airline out of Daytona