Boats and Dogs: Practical Gear for Canine Crew
Boats and dogs are a natural pairing: many boaters want to bring their canine companions along for days on the water, but until recently there were few products designed specifically for dogs aboard. Two boat owners who struggled to help their large Labradors reboard after swims ended up creating practical solutions that now serve boaters everywhere.
Two Owners, One Problem
Scott Rowles, 39, grew up in Florida and left a career in software engineering to spend two years living aboard a 50-foot sailing catamaran in Australia. His two Labrador retrievers, Jack and Riley, loved diving into the water but had no reliable way to climb back onto the boat. “They were constantly diving into the water with no way to get back in. I quickly tired of hauling the two 100‑pound soaking wet dogs back into the boat,” Rowles recalls. That frustration became the starting point for a purpose-built solution.
Around the same time, Amber McCrocklin, 38, moved to Florida from the Midwest and was enjoying her Four Winns 220 Horizon with a yellow Lab puppy. “I had a boat and got a puppy, which was only 30 pounds. By the second year, he was 95 pounds,” McCrocklin says. “I looked for a boat ladder for dogs and couldn’t find one.” Her search — and the clear gap in the market for canine-friendly marine gear — led her to design products that addressed boaters’ needs.
From Idea to Product Lines
Rowles co-founded Dive N Dog and serves as its president. Their first product, the Folding Stair Platform (starting at $300), was designed so both two- and four‑legged crew can climb back aboard easily after a swim. The platform helped solve a common safety and convenience problem and became a signature product that led the company to expand into other stainless-steel marine accessories like cleats, grab rails, rod holders, anchor rollers and steering wheels.
McCrocklin founded Paws Aboard and focuses on a variety of boat- and water-themed pet products. The company offers a dozen items ranging from the bright yellow Doggy Boat Ladder (starting at $220) to a selection of canine personal flotation devices (PFDs) starting at about $20. Paws Aboard also recently expanded into mainstream pet retail to reach a broader audience. “I just took what I’m passionate about and started a business with it,” McCrocklin says. “It was easy for me.”
Dog PFDs and Sizing
Dog life jackets remain top sellers for Paws Aboard. The company updates its styles and patterns based on customer preferences and has introduced a neoprene line to offer a softer feel and greater durability for active dogs. To help owners choose the right size, Paws Aboard provides an online sizing chart that uses weight, neck and body girth measurements so each dog gets a properly fitting PFD.
Dive N Dog Today
Although Dive N Dog is often associated with dog ladders, it now offers more than 400 products, most aimed at general boating needs rather than only canine-specific items. “People still do tend to think of us as the dog ladder people,” says Melissa Cahill, Dive N Dog’s marketing director. The company culture embraces that identity — the workplace is dog-friendly, and several employees bring their pets to the main office. The presence of dogs in and around the company underscores the brand’s commitment to making time on the water enjoyable for pets and people alike.
\>Why These Products Matter
Many dog owners avoid taking their pets boating because they worry the dog won’t be able to get back on board after a swim. Products like folding stair platforms, dedicated dog ladders and properly sized PFDs increase safety and confidence for both owners and their pets. Rowles sums up the benefit simply: “Most dogs love to be around the water and most boaters enjoy the companionship of their dogs aboard their boat. Some boaters don’t take their dogs with them because they don’t have a way to get them back in the boat after a swim. This product helps everyone, dogs included, enjoy a day out on the boat.”
Additional Resources
Related articles and features that explore boating with pets:
- A boater’s best friend
- Send us your pet photos
- A first mate with nine lives
For information, search directly for Dive N Dog and Paws Aboard to find product details, sizing guides and placement information. This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue.