Canoe or kayak and a dog?

**0okamiDigital** · 06-28-2009, 02:38 PM

So, I've been thinking about buying a canoe or a kayak to take my dog out on the lake...

He's a 70lb husky.

Any ideas? I've never been on a canoe or kayak. Im looking for something that I can throw on the top of the jeep and go... I spoke with a rental place but they said no pets allowed. Boo!

yjJeff · 06-28-2009, 03:25 PM

I've got a 14' sea kayak and I can PROMISE you... let me repeat PROMISE you, If you have a Husky your gonna NEED a canoe. It's hard to stay balanced on a kayak alone when trying to get on in the ocean, when trying to push off from land, even when fishing. I've never taken my 75lb rottweiler on the kayak, I just think it would be impossible. Dumb dog would freak over a fish and flip the whole thing.
Plus, i think the kayak is more fun for solo use, working out and for speed through the water, but I always wished I had a canoe, as you can better load up hunting gear, fishing gear, and camping gear, and have longer/better trips.

**0okamiDigital** · 06-28-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff91yj80

I've got a 14' sea kayak and I can PROMISE you... let me repeat PROMISE you, If you have a Husky your gonna NEED a canoe. It's hard to stay balanced on a kayak alone when trying to get on in the ocean, when trying to push off from land, even when fishing. I've never taken my 75lb rottweiler on the kayak, I just think it would be impossible. Dumb dog would freak over a fish and flip the whole thing.
Plus, i think the kayak is more fun for solo use, working out and for speed through the water, but I always wished I had a canoe, as you can better load up hunting gear, fishing gear, and camping gear, and have longer/better trips.

I just did some research and I have to agree. A canoe would be more fitting...
But how would one put it up top of the jeep? Looks like they would be heavier.

Would I have to get a trailer? if so which kind? Im usually by my self so the canoe dont have to be too big... just big enough for me and for the dog to roam around and get comfortable.

thebobjeep · 06-28-2009, 03:31 PM

I think it really depends on your dog. I had a shar pei which hated the sun, but would lay down in the canoe if I laid a couple towels down there for him. But again he hated the heat and water - wouldn't go near the kayak.

My 2 year old shepherd / shar pei mutt loves both and weighs around 55ibs. I personally like kayaking better because I can go alone without the girlfriend for a few hours. The pup has no problem sitting or laying down for a while on the back of my completely open hobie kayak. She will jump in and swim along side to cool down and can usually get back in by herself once, after that I have to help pull her in.

I'm sure if you rented a kayak from somewhere outside of the lake / river location they would have no idea if your pet was on it. Try it out once yourself to get your balance, then try getting the pup to either hop on, or swim about 10 feet out to you and getting on from the water. It's a lot of money to throw down if you and your dog ends up not liking it. Of course this is assuming your dog can swim well....

Cheers.

yjJeff · 06-28-2009, 03:38 PM

I think a kayak will be way more expensive than a canoe. My Kayak cost me $1,500 (something like that) I can't remember. I think a canoe would be more economical.
As for transport here's some choices.
You can think about getting a roof rack
You can build a canoe trailer
you can buy a canoe trailer
Maybe there's a place you could rent a canoe trailer.
FYI I transported my 14 foot kayak on a little Saturn... tied down with rope.

chris86vw · 06-28-2009, 03:41 PM

I don't have the link anymore but when I was looking for a new dog and thinking about getting a kayak I was researching it. I found some sit that had lots of tips on training your dog to be able to handle being in/on the kayak.

Eventually mine should be calm enough to handle it, right now though anything that moves she tries and chases so she wouldn't last long.

That put off my kayak purchase for now since I"m busy training her hiking and stuff.

semikrazy · 06-28-2009, 03:41 PM

I have a canoe, a big one too. It's the Coleman Scanoe and it rides on the rollbars of my jeep just fine. I am looking to get a "ride on kayak" just because it is smaller and easier to handle by myself.

**0okamiDigital** · 06-28-2009, 03:55 PM

wow!! kayaks are expensive.

Canoe it is...
I was looking at this one:
http://www.dunhamssports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131645&cp=711577&fpricesort=priceAscending&filter=yes&fCat=711577&parentPage=family

* Impact-resistant RAM-X™ hull
* 3 molded bench seats
* Drink and vertical rod holders
* Sturdy aluminum gunnels with protective sleeves
* Bow and stern carrying handles
* Length: 15 ft 6 in
* Beam: 37 in
* Seats: 3
* Weight: 76 lb
* Max. Capacity: 800 lb

$399.99

Sure beats 800+
Hmm...

what do you guys think?

**Prot** · 06-28-2009, 03:57 PM

I don't see the appeal of having a dog in a small boat like a kayak or canoe. Dogs are meant to run around. It's kind of like that thing I saw on television a few days ago where a damn cat had on a scuba helmet and was underwater. It just doesn't make sense. It would be different if you were bringing your dog to a camp somewhere and had to transport him by boat and were using a normal size boat.

Get what people in other parts of the country call a John boat (around here, we call it a flat). You can get them used for cheap and they come with a trailer. It's small and light enough to pull with your Jeep and is very easy to launch and recover by yourself.

The dog's claws eliminate the possibility of an inflatable raft I suppose.

**Apex** · 06-28-2009, 04:03 PM

My buddy just got a John boat...I think you may want to look into them.

yjJeff · 06-28-2009, 04:05 PM

x2 on the johnboat. i didn't even think about that. Its a total PITA to paddle it by yourself though... but you can run a small motor on it, or if your on a calm lake you can use an electric motor... I've got a 10ft with a minkota electric motor for my lake. I like it. but if you wanna paddle, canoe.

HilltopperYJ · 06-28-2009, 04:11 PM

I spend a lot of time on the river and I think a good canoe is your best choice - kayaks are fun and I prefer them because they are more versatile (I whitewater kayak as well as flat water cruising) but a canoe is great for families, gear and pets

Slenny · 06-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff91yj80

x2 on the johnboat. i didn't even think about that. Its a total PITA to paddle it by yourself though... but you can run a small motor on it, or if your on a calm lake you can use an electric motor... I've got a 10ft with a minkota electric motor for my lake. I like it. but if you wanna paddle, canoe.

Strap a 20hp motor on and you will be fine

iananderson17 · 06-28-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0okami

I just did some research and I have to agree. A canoe would be more fitting...
But how would one put it up top of the jeep? Looks like they would be heavier.

My Dad and I always go fishing in our own canoe, and each of us has put it on top of the Jeep on our own, though it is easier with someone else. We had it set up on a pair of foam blocks on the rollbar to protect it, and there are two eye bolts in the back bumper, and one in the front to tie down to.

(sorry for the crappy pic, its the only one I have of the back, but I tried to show them in the red.)
You can just run your bowline through the front one a couple of times and tie off, and then run your sternline in a triangle pattern through the back two. We figured out that if you have two small ratchet straps to run perpendicular to the rollbar over the canoe, it will hold tighter. Good Luck, canoes are a lot of fun. And a single person canoe shouldn't be to heavy for you at all.