# Deck modification to carry a dog **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [September 30, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-modification-to-carry-a-dog/43546 "2015-09-30T01:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Claudia\_Holderegger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Claudia\_Holderegger](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Claudia_Holderegger)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2015, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-modification-to-carry-a-dog/43546/1 "2015-09-30T01:44:16Z")
We are in a bit of a bind. We have one 17ft, 22" beam touring kayak (cedar strip) and are looking to build a second one that can keep up. We also have a 38lb dog that likes to ride as far forward as possible on a kayak. Getting her to sit in a cockpit is not going to happen. We've tried boats with a big cockpit and tandems - she climbs out onto the deck. Her choice would be a SOT, but those are too slow, heavy and wet for the paddler... soo... The thought has crossed my mind to take a relatively stable touring boat and modify the bow deck to be lower and flat. The result would be a sort of sit-in (for the human) and SOT (for the dog) hybrid.  Thoughts? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![David\_Poole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@David\_Poole](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Poole)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 11:09am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-modification-to-carry-a-dog/43546/2 "2015-10-05T11:09:40Z")
   1. Leave the dog on shore............of course I say that because my wife always wants to take the flat coat retriver, 75#.  The last trip he ended up with the least experienced paddler on the SOT. They both swam a lot. The dog gets up at the least opportune time.  I also say that because every time the dog goes in wife goes in and all of a sudden I have two or three to rescue. Also we paddle in gator waters. They don't bother people or kayaks but dogs swimming are dooable targets. A dog on the foredeck is cute but add a wave, bird, fish, snake etc and you may have a dog in the water.  2. Look at a canoe instead..........a light weight canoe paddled by a good paddler can give the sea kayaks a run for the money. We have a fellow in the canoe and kayak club that paddles 15-16 ft canoe. He paddles it with a custom made 9ft double.......... kayak paddle, very long.   He's usually in the front unless he's doing sweep.   ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_Brubaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Edward\_Brubaker](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Edward_Brubaker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-modification-to-carry-a-dog/43546/3 "2015-10-05T19:26:40Z")
   I would second the light weight smaller canoe. He can get as far forward as he wants.  With a double blade paddle it is amazing how much better they go.  When we decide to take 2 dogs we take a canoe and 2 kayak paddles. Works great. I have put a moderate size dog in the back hatch but would not do that except in calm water with a float bag.     ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Pickett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Diane\_Pickett](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Diane_Pickett)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/deck-modification-to-carry-a-dog/43546/4 "2015-10-10T22:15:42Z")
   Something that would work and is practical although it is not pretty is to go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and get a bath mat with little suction cups on the bottom and attach a shallow basket the right size for your dog using string or rope.