I’m wondering if those with a swim platform can weigh-in on it’s practicality for use with swimming dogs. Does anyone fish their critter out of the drink from the swim platform? If so, what experiences, tips, or challenges can you share?
Cheers,
Eric Larsen
S/V Felix NS30C #115
Olympia, WA USA
Hi Eric, we had a Jack Russell many years ago that liked to bark at geese floating around the boat when we were at the dock. Invariably she would stand on the edge of the boat and bark repeatedly until she fell in. Being a small dog it was fairly easy to get her back on the boat via the swim platform.
More importantly, also many years ago, we needed to retrieve our godson from the water while anchored off an island. He had jumped in the water and dislocated his shoulder on impact. He was in a lot of pain so it was imperative that we got him back onboard in a hurry and get him to medical help. Without the swim platform there would have been no way to get him out of the water as he was 6’ tall and close to 200 lbs. A sling lift would have been impossible owing to the type of injury. All in all we were fortunate that day and the swim platform had earned its keep.
Ron
Ron & Diane Schryver
“Alpha Waves” '87 NS30U #393
Georgian Bay Midland ON
Thank you, Ron, that’s very helpful! By what manner were you able to get your godson from the water on to the swim platform?
Hope to hear from others as well.
Appreciate the response!
Eric Larsen
S/V Felix NS30C #115
Olympia, WA USA
Hi Eric, with the one person standing on the swim platform and his partner pushing from behind in the water he was able to negotiate the swim platform ladder with the one good arm until he was on the platform too. Even so, it was a struggle for all of us but we managed to get him back in the cockpit, thankfully. Adrenaline had a lot to do with it I’m sure.
Ron
Thank you, Ron!
Eric Larsen
S/V Felix NS30C #115
Olympia, WA USA