Swimming in the Ship Canal?

[debbie]

I know it's not particularly smart, but is it legal?

[SomeSailor]

I'm guessing swimming anywhere named "SHIP Canal" is a bad idea all around... ;)

[Go Aweigh2452]

I've seen people swimming in Ship canal but mostly I see dogs going after sticks and frisbees thrown by their owners... I would not swim there but would consider a quick dunk to cool off.

[Tedster]

The real question Debbie is why would you want to??

[Papa Charlie]

Because its there?

[bradvo]

I know it's not particularly smart, but is it legal?


Years ago we came across a rope swing along the canal
we had an open bow 19 footer at the time. I pulled over so we could all play on the rope swing, all was cool then.

[debbie]

I don't want to swim there - yesterday I was horrified to look thru the binoculars and see a head bobbing in the water, swimming erratically, toward the middle of the canal. As we got closer I could see it was a dog that looked to be alone. The bank is steep in that area and it didn't seem beyond the realm of possibility that the dog had fallen in or jumped and couldn't get out. It was headed west well past the Fremont Bridge, swimming parallel to the shore toward all those big commercial boats...we pulled toward the middle of the canal to kind of keep him on our right (didn't want to block access to the closest bank to him) but the tour boat behind us apparently didn't see him and pulled to our right to pass us. I got my life ring and was wondering if I'd have to go in after the creature and suddenly a man appeared on the bank. I called out "is this your dog?" and he was REALLY rude about it. I pointed back to the big tour boat ... he called the dog which did NOT come but stayed in the path of the tour boat. Finally he did get the dog to the shore. I'm still mad about the whole thing today.

[Papa Charlie]

Debbie,
Living on the boat and walking our dog several times a day we have run into a lot of people that shouldn't have animals. They irresponsible, letting the dogs off their leashes, run into traffic. We have already had one dog that drowned on the dock this year because someone let it run around loose with no life jacket. Went into the water but couldn't get out.
Some people just need a good smack!

[debbie]

Wow that's really sad AND it makes me mad...my dogs don't boat with us (which is partially what's held us back, we can't get gone too long because they are indoor) but I do have life preservers for both of them in the event that we introduce them to the boat. There are a number of liveaboards in our marina too and it seems many have big dogs, but the dogs are never out without a human. It's amazing to me how well behaved these dogs are!

[Papa Charlie]

Our Golden Retriever, "Tasha" is a great traveler. She loves to go everywhere with us and loves the closeness of living on board. She can't get up on the fly bridge though and she freaks a little being alone in the salon while underway. Still we try to spend time down with her so she doesn't feel too much alone. We will sometimes tie her up in the cockpit so she can see us. She has fallen off once at dock trying to get to us and we are afraid she might try while we are underway so she has to have her movement restrained.
Try introducing your dogs to life aboard while you are at dock working or relaxing on the boat. Then take them for short trips if for no other reason than to warm up the engine once in a while. Introducing them slowly will help them adjust. Lots of attention is good too. Especially if they are older. Pups seem to adapt pretty easy.

[debbie]

We thought of using the block and tackle to hoist the dogs to the flying bridge, but we'd need netting on the side to keep them from sliding off LOL.

The biggest deterrent is frankly getting them on via the swim step. We'd need to back the boat into the slip and for now we can barely get it in bow first. There is also a stupid piling in the way that would keep us from getting the step more than 1-2 feet away from the dock...we'd have to get a ramp. Getting them on any other way would be too difficult for both of us as the dogs are 60 and 90 lbs respectively.

But, your plan sounds good and we'll try it next summer when both dogs are exhausted from a long walk or run so they don't have the energy to freak out.

[Papa Charlie]

Good luck there Debbie. Tasha loves being on the boat with us. If we couldn't get her on the boat via the swim platform I am not sure what we would use. Maybe a step and an old rug on the teak cap rail to protect from claws.
Let us know how it goes.