Lloyd Sumpter wrote:
Hi,

I'm thinking of taking out 1-yr-old cat "Kitty" on board Far Cove next
year (Maybe this winter, I donno...) She's been indoors all her life,
except a few times outside on a leash. And then she tends to hide under
whatever's handy...

Leave her at home, Lloyd. It's one thing to move a cat aboard
permanently...cats can adapt pretty easily to a new home. But unless you
start taking 'em places with you from the minute you bring 'em home as
kittens, it's quite another to take 'em out of their "safe" home
environment--that's HER territory--to drag her along on weekend and
vacation cruises in surroundings that aren't her established territory.
She'll just be miserable, and you will be too...she'll hide and you'll
spend half your time with your hearts in your mouths, afraid she went
overboard.

I've had cats for more than 40 years...always in pairs till just a few
months ago...Buckley (in my lap as I type) is 19 now--a Siamese,
btw--and will be my last I think. I don't even board 'em when I
travel...I get a "sitter." Some of my dockmates brought their cats to
their boats for weekends...I considered bringing mine till I saw how
miserable they were among all the strange people, strange noises,
rocking boat. They could prob'ly have adjusted to it if the boat became
their permanent home, but not just for weekends.

So leave her at home...she'll be a LOT happier and so will you.
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304