Dog Ramp

J

jim bosanny

Active member
I've been looking for a dog ramp to help get my 70 pound lab in the boat after a retrieve. I see Cabela's has an Avery sporting dog ramp for around $80.00. Reviews are good. Does anyone have any experience with this one or any suggestions. Also checked out one by Beavertail but the reviews were less than stellar. I've got a 15 foot flat bottom so space is limited. Thanks.
 
picked one of those up myself a week ago to replace an older avery combo stand that inadvertently got left attached to side of boat blind chaseing a long cripple. had completely forgot it was deployed until heard the bang when it left side of boat underway. Collapsed and sunk rather quickly unfortunately! Dog has yet to use new ramp but its made good enough, just not crazy about it not having a platform under water for dog to get footing on when reentering boat. Migfht have to do a little modification to it.
 
Yeah I've got one and an 80lb lab, a little narrow and does not sit under water far enough to get up on if she cant touch bottom. hope that helps.
 
Thanks for the input. I wondered about the design and how a dog could gain purchase swimming. I think I'll keep looking.
 
I needed a new dog ladder/ramp for my blind boat. I looked at every commercial option on the market. none of them would work with the front end of my boat the way it is set up. plus none of them are heavy duty enough to be used by a human. and as I get older; the leaping out of waist deep water gets tougher and tougher. So, I went to the local weld shop and had him make me a custom dog ramp/ladder out of welded alum angle and alum flat. It is built stout enough that a guy can use it for a step ladder. I had him make all of the frame to fit the boat and I cut, painted, and screwed the wood decking on myself. I highly recommend going this route; that way you get exactly what you want.
 
Anybody out there got a home built dog boarding ramp that works good and they,re proud of. Lets see some pics and a build detail.
 
I will get pictures and see if I can get them posted. I really struggle with this site and pictures. Thank GOODNESS That Carl Is A Big Help with that
 
I agree with Derek. Custom welder for your application, if you can find a good weld shop. I probably have used one 8 times over the years. From a Hoefgen add-on to 14' Starcraft, to pontoon to Bankes Crusader. And most can powder coat color you want.
Steve
 
Brad...
What I had custom built for my Crusader was a bracket for the transom to slide on a dive ladder to get in and out. Michael Bankes has a built in- slide out ladder that I had installed in a friends 17' Freedom. Although it works pretty well, I was concerned about sand and mud getting inside the track, making deploying more difficult years down the road.

This 17' Freedom does have a dog platform that we ordered from Bankes. It hooks through the grassing rail slots..Unfortunately the electronic door to my neighbors garage is not working right now. When I get access, I will mount it and send some pictures.

If you can think of other q's, let me know...This was the first year hunting out of this 19' boat. I LOVE IT! I felt extremely safe in the Great Lakes waters and marshes I hunted this year. And I had to run in some gale winds to my "spots". Even my wife commented on the smooth ride...and she isn't a boater, but familiar with the ride in my 20' Proline I use salmon fishing.

Steve
 
Yea I tried top use that new avery boarding platform for dog today and its a miserable failure. Dog can,t launch or return into boat using it from water deep enough that dog cant touch bottom. Why did they discontinue the old combo stand they had a bring out this piece of crap.
 
View attachment 20180120_144850.jpgView attachment 20180120_144801.jpg

these pictures show the right side of the ladder. part of the issue that caused the requirement for the custom ladder is the wide rail on the front of the boat. Alumacraft makes a great all weld boat but the front end deck is wide. as yo can see with the tape measure laying there. the ladder sets into the deck. note the safety chain that I hook up to the blind so that if by chance I would forget to pull the ladder during the "heat of the moment" going after a cripple; I won't lose it. the bottom board is approx. 6 inches under water when the ladder is deployed. the dog retrieves to the ladder and I will normally help her just a little bit if we are in deep water.
 
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