On Mar 29, 12:44 am, "map" wrote:
This Spring Break we're taking our 85 pound lab with us on a week long
cruise, kids excited wifie not really....first time the can will spend
that long on the boat, longest leg might be a bit more than 10 hours.
Any advice from this savy bunch?
M.

You probably don't want a week-long cruise to be your dog's or your
wife's first sailing experience. Most people who successfully manage
that transition to sea life succeed only if the introduction is done
at a very young age. The first challenge will be getting them on
board, which was never my dog's natural inclination (lifting an 85-90
pound lab from the dinghy over the transom is an experience you will
remember). The wife was harder.

Once there, I'm not sure which is worse, a seasick dog or a seasick
wife.

You need to consider how you will keep the dog adequately hydrated in
an environment where it will be difficult to accommodate the resulting
need to pee. It takes a long time to train a dog on where to go, too
long if you are on someone else's boat. I've also had more than one
laugh about someone needing to make an emergency stop so the dog can
be relieved. In this singular instance, the wife is easier to
accommodate than the dog (assuming normal head accommodations; if it's
"everyone over the leeward side" the wife will be far less easy to
please).

For the dog, you may want to consider "muttluks" (http://
www.muttluks.com/our_products/index.php), a product that will help
your dog gain traction onboard. I'd also consider how you are going
to (a) keep him on board if he sees something worth chasing and (b)
how you are going to get him back on board after he leaps in for a
swim. Lifeline netting seems advisable to discourage the dog from
leaping, as well as a harness, life jacket and tether to jacklines. I
have no advice for what to do if your wife decides to take a leap.

Steve Hayes
Cruising out of Rockland, Maine
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