How to Build a Dog Ramp for a Boat

For people who love taking their boat out on the lake, taking a dog along can enhance the ride. But if the dog is too old to jump onto the boat from land, this can cause a problem. The solution is simple: Build a dog ramp for the boat. This plan uses lightweight material and can be attached and detached with ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pen and paper
  • 3/4-inch plywood (12 x 48 inches)
  • Metal carpeting strip
  • 2" x 2" board
  • Rubber matting or outdoor carpeting
  • Saw
  • Drill
  • Wood screws
  • Wood glue
  • Hammer
  • Carpet tacks
  • Eye hook screws (2)
  • Screw Nut (2)
  • Rubber Washer (2)
  • Eye hook catch (2)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Park the boat in the water as close to the landing area as you can. Tie the boat to the landing dock or post so your dog doesn't fall off the ramp into the water.

    • 2

      Get the measurements for the ramp. Measure from the base of the opening where people enter the boat to the landing area. Add another foot to the length so there is give for the ramp to move with the boat and tide but so it won't slide off the landing area into the water. Write the measurements down on paper.

    • 3

      Measure your plywood and mark the wood according to the length you determined was needed from Step 2. The width should be 12 inches. Measure and mark off the metal strips for the top and bottom of the ramp. Measure and mark off the length for the 2x2 side rails as well as for the rubber matting or carpet.

    • 4

      Cut your pieces with the saw according to your measurements. You should have two metal strips, two side rails, one plywood sheet and the matting ready to assemble.

    • 5

      Attach the side rails to the plywood. Place the side rails on a smooth surface side by side roughly the width apart of the plywood sheet. Place the plywood sheet on top of the rails and adjust the rails to meet the side edges of the sheet. Drill in the screws every 6 inches along the rail.

    • 6

      Turn the ramp over so that the rails are facing up. Set the matting on the ramp to make sure it fits. Adjust the matting until it is snug. Remove the matting and apply the glue in a checkerboard pattern along the length of the ramp. Carefully reapply the matting at one end and work your way up the ramp, smoothing out air pockets along the way.

    • 7

      Attach the metal strips at both ends of the ramp. This will help keep the matting and the plywood from fraying at the ends. Use the hammer and carpet tacks to attach the strips to the ramp.

    • 8

      Attach the screw-in eye hooks to the ramp. These will go at one end of the ramp directly behind the metal strip. Screw these into the top of the ramp, then secure them from underneath by placing the washer, then the nut on the screw and tightening. Attach the hooks for the eye bolt to the inside rim of the boat's entrance where the ramp will be. Hook the ramp to the boat to secure it.