Sit on top hard shell kayak for dogs? (2 Viewers)

[alia176]

I figured on asking y'all for your favorite sit on top dog friendly kayaks. I got a 50# Blue Heeler and I need a platform for him to be comfortable. Tandems don't have this space since it's made for another human and he won't be comfortable in that narrow space where your feet are anchored. Seems like open top fishing kayaks are the way to go and they have nice seats. Which also means $$$$. I need something wide for stability. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I need to sit in the middle with lots of storage space behind me as I want all that to be more up front, yes?

Spring run offs is starting and I want to float down the river with Luka. This will be a shuttle situation with another buddy, but I'm hoping to camp at lakes with this setup as well. It'll add another dimension to the camping weekends.

Thanks for your inputs.

 

[alia176]

Sunday evening bump!

 

[80t0ylc]

I figured on asking y'all for your favorite sit on top dog friendly kayaks. I got a 50# Blue Heeler and I need a platform for him to be comfortable. Tandems don't have this space since it's made for another human and he won't be comfortable in that narrow space where your feet are anchored. Seems like open top fishing kayaks are the way to go and they have nice seats. Which also means $$$$. I need something wide for stability. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I need to sit in the middle with lots of storage space behind me as I want all that to be more up front, yes?

Spring run offs is starting and I want to float down the river with Luka. This will be a shuttle situation with another buddy, but I'm hoping to camp at lakes with this setup as well. It'll add another dimension to the camping weekends.

Thanks for your inputs.

I've got a couple "fishing" kayaks, plus have traveled with a buddy, Ace, that had this type of kayak with a yellow Lab. We traveled down the the East side of Baja which borders the Gulf of Baja (Sea of Cortez). Water was fairly calm so kayak was fairly stable. It still did not work out so well, but IMHO, it all depends on your dog. Labs really like the water, but can't keep up with the kayak. If they mind well and learn fast, not a big problem. If it's a puppy, it might learn to stay on the kayak eventually. The least excitement or distraction and the dog is in the water. Once in the water, it becomes quite difficult for the dog to get back on. Same goes for a human. Calm water, like a lake in good weather is where I'd try to begin. River running with a fishing kayak, even alone on the kayak is sketchy. Too high of COG. I would not try any white water running, even by myself with a fishing kayak. But, I'm 70 yrs old. Where your dog will ride best will probably take a little experimenting and lots of patience. My kayaks both have main storage in the rear. Here's a couple of pics of mine hanging on the back patio:

Good Luck!

 

[alia176]

I've got a couple "fishing" kayaks, plus have traveled with a buddy, Ace, that had this type of kayak with a yellow Lab. We traveled down the the East side of Baja which borders the Gulf of Baja (Sea of Cortez). Water was fairly calm so kayak was fairly stable. It still did not work out so well, but IMHO, it all depends on your dog. Labs really like the water, but can't keep up with the kayak. If they mind well and learn fast, not a big problem. If it's a puppy, it might learn to stay on the kayak eventually. The least excitement or distraction and the dog is in the water. Once in the water, it becomes quite difficult for the dog to get back on. Same goes for a human. Calm water, like a lake in good weather is where I'd try to begin. River running with a fishing kayak, even alone on the kayak is sketchy. Too high of COG. I would not try any white water running, even by myself with a fishing kayak. But, I'm 70 yrs old. Where your dog will ride best will probably take a little experimenting and lots of patience. My kayaks both have main storage in the rear. Here's a couple of pics of mine hanging on the back patio:
View attachment 3873688

View attachment 3873689

Good Luck!

Thx for your feedback. I've been looking at Ascend 10T kayaks (or similar) due to the large space they have up front and I'd be sitting toward the rear. This is by no means a fast kayak but it's wide, stable, and should be comfy for Luka. I also like the type of seat this type of kayak offers, and my sitting posture is Uber important to me.

As you stated, training proper boat manners is key and that'll make the floating experience more enjoyable.

 

[80t0ylc]

Yeah, that looks like a well thought out kayak! A lot of room upfront.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Thx for your feedback. I've been looking at Ascend 10T kayaks (or similar) due to the large space they have up front and I'd be sitting toward the rear. This is by no means a fast kayak but it's wide, stable, and should be comfy for Luka. I also like the type of seat this type of kayak offers, and my sitting posture is Uber important to me.

As you stated, training proper boat manners is key and that'll make the floating experience more enjoyable.

View attachment 3873784

The layout seems perfect. Be conscious of the 10' boat, though. I've heard through the local put-in that it is notoriously unstable and takes on water easy. Those issues seem to be addressed with the 12' boat, though.

 

[K Idaho]

The layout seems perfect. Be conscious of the 10' boat, though. I've heard through the local put-in that it is notoriously unstable and takes on water easy. Those issues seem to be addressed with the 12' boat, though.

 

[K Idaho]

Camp and float - good fun. We bought an inflatable SUP-Yak. We fit me, my wife, a 22# dog, and a small cooler. Definitely different than a plastic fishing kayak but stable, versatile, and rolls up and fits in the back of the rig. Seats clip in any position on a daisy chain for kayaking and clip off for SUP.

SUP-YAK 2-in-1 Inflatable Kayak + Paddle Board Series | TAHE

The SUP YAK 10’6 and 11’6 are lightweight, easy to use 2-in-1 inflatable kayak / paddle board complete packages. The 10’6 is ideal for one person up to 300lbs with plenty of capacity and stability for kids, pets and gear. The 11’6 can be configured for 1 or 2-person use as a kayak or SUP and a...

tahesport.com

 

[TRDdrew]

@alia176 idk if you had already made your decision but a Jackson Bite is your answer, Super stable and a very open and wide lay out for dogs or whatever you want.

 

[alia176]

@alia176 idk if you had already made your decision but a Jackson Bite is your answer, Super stable and a very open and wide lay out for dogs or whatever you want.

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Oh man, I totally forgot to update this thread. Three weeks ago I got an used Ascend 10T fishing kayak and all is golden. Luka and I hit a lake two weeks ago, then ran a river last weekend. He's doing great!!! This kayak is very wide and stupid heavy so I built a cart out of PVC and two pneumatic tires just to move the kayak between the water's edge and my trailer!

Hopefully this thread will help out others.

 

[TRDdrew]

looks great Ali, glad yall are enjoying it. I used to have on of those, great boat!

 

[peesalot]

K, thats a good lookin pup

 

[alia176]

K, thats a good lookin pup

thx, he's my favorite velociraptor

 

[alia176]

The layout seems perfect. Be conscious of the 10' boat, though. I've heard through the local put-in that it is notoriously unstable and takes on water easy. Those issues seem to be addressed with the 12' boat, though.

I picked up a free Ascent 12' boat and holy crap, she's a heavy one. I'll clean her up and flip it because i don't want to deal with the weight and it doesn't fit inside my 5'x10' utility trailer. I need to find a seat for it since it didn't come with it!

Mine comes with scrupper holes and i removed the rubber plugs so it can drain itself as needed. I'll see how this all works once I hit a choppy lake one of these days.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I picked up a free Ascent 12' boat and holy crap, she's a heavy one. I'll clean her up and flip it because i don't want to deal with the weight and it doesn't fit inside my 5'x10' utility trailer. I need to find a seat for it since it didn't come with it!

To be fair, I’ve never even sat in one - 10 or 12. Interesting that weight wasn’t a point to bring up in passing. The lack of taking on water must have really blown them away. Don’t like a heavy boat!

 

[alia176]

To be fair, I’ve never even sat in one - 10 or 12. Interesting that weight wasn’t a point to bring up in passing. The lack of taking on water must have really blown them away. Don’t like a heavy boat!

My 10' weighs 67#, and a 12' weighs 77#. These are heavy boats and carrying them is PITA due to lack of ergonomic handles. I had to design a PVC cart for mine, otherwise these are two person jobbers. Comparatively I can carry two inexpensive 10' sit in kayaks one in each arm for a short distance if I had to.