Can They Climb The Companionway Stairs?

     One of the challenges for pets on sailboats is the steep companionway stairs.  How do  we teach our four-legged friends to climb those obstacles?  Our answer came by way of some friends who also had a larger dog aboard their boat.  The solution -- what we call our "Noah's Ark" plank.

     The companionway steps on our boat have approximately 14" wide stair treads.  We purchased two 6' x 14" pine planks, screwed them together, and wrapped it in carpet to provide grip to the dogs.  The carpet also protects the boat when we're swinging the plank around trying to set it up. 

     The plank, like everything on a boat, has multiple purposes.  It can be used for its primary purpose - companionway access for the dogs.  It's also very handy for stern-to, or med-style, boarding solutions for both us and the dogs.  In addition, we use it to when the boat is bow-in in a marina with small finger piers.  To help in those situations, we equipped Charbonneau with lifeline openings at the bow and use the board to shuttle the dogs to the dock from the bow.  When not in use, it stores nicely along the inside wall of our aft-cabin bunk.

     You can click on the photos for a larger view of our Noah's Ark plank.  Sparing no expense in wrapping it in carpet, we used the finest duct tape available.  In the pictures below, Bailey demonstrates using the board for stern boarding and Max (far right) poses for a picture before climbing up the plank and into the cockpit.  Wherever we put the board, regardless of angle, the dogs are comfortable using it.  And there have been solutions that the plank was the only way off the boat.