Mixed feelings about it...

Posted By: Tedd #392
Date: 11/17/06 2:27p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Goldens on boats... (Jay Levy - Indianapolis, IN 5.2 #35)

Hi Jay, I think it depends on the individual dog. My golden was a little unsure of the whole thing at first, but after a couple times she seemed to accept it as another thing the dog pack did. Usually she just finds a place in the shade and lies down. If something goes by she'll get up and have a look. If the wind comes up and we begin to heal more than about 10 degrees she gets a little nervous and will come over and hover near my feet (which was why I was concerned about catching her coat in the mainsheet). On the other hand, my chocolate lab is a very happy-go-lucky animal and no matter what we're doing, she just lies down and looks content. Neither dog seems to go one way or the other when we heel. I don't think they understand what's going on enough to respond with anything other than curiousity or concern. I'd recommend putting some kind of floor mat down so they can get some traction on the non-skid. The golden in the picture is my second golden retriever. I never took my first one sailing, but I took her canoeing many times. She was always on her feet in the canoe (which made paddling exciting to say the least) and always looking over the side. I think she would have been the same in a Harpoon, but with more room to wander it wouldn't have been a big concern. All in all, my wife and I are really reconsidering our decision to take them along. Beyond being with us, I don't think they really like it a whole lot. Mostly they seem to be just waiting for us to get back to land where they can run and play. When the wind got heavy last time we went sailing it came up quite suddenly. I'd just dropped the chute and we were tacking back up the lake to the launch ramp. I had my hands full just keeping us upright and moving in the right direction. I didn't even remember to put on my own PDF until we were back at the ramp. I think if we ever capsized with the dogs on board it would be a very dangerous situation. From what I've heard a Harpoon is hard enough to get back up if you have both hands free. If we were trying to keep two dogs near it would probably be very difficult if not dangerous for all of us. If you're curious how your dog would react, I'd pick a light wind day and take him along. The Harpoon is big enough to be comfortable and most dogs will do just about anything to be with their people. Both my dogs were very easy to get aboard the boat on their first trip once they realized the dog pack was going sailing. Let me know if you have more questions. tedd