Newanderthal
Member
- Messages
- 903
- Points
- 18
Paddling in the summer is a blast, but dogs can only take the direct sunlight for so long, and my dog has thick, black fur. My answer to this problem was to build a small canopy that provides a shaded spot in the center of the boat. Here's the new and improved canopy, constructed from PVC pipe and a cheap pocket tarp from Walmart.
Construction is simple. 2 sections of PVC that run laterally along the thwarts. They are held in place by clamps (purchased from Lowes).
A 90 degree elbow is fitted onto each end of the two sections and turned upward.
Rising from these 4 elbows are short sections of pipe (about 6 inches long). They raise the canopy above the level of the gunwales, providing a breezeway and allowing the dog to stick his head out the sides.
Each vertical riser is tipped with another 90 degree elbow. Those in front are turned backward, those in the rear are turned forward.
Between these elbows run 2 more sections of pipe, 1 on either side of the canopy extending from front to rear.
The canopy is a section of a nylon pocket tarp from Walmart (Outdoor Products, I think). It costs about $15.
The dog gets to sit in the shade and relax while we do all the work. He loves it.
Construction is simple. 2 sections of PVC that run laterally along the thwarts. They are held in place by clamps (purchased from Lowes).
A 90 degree elbow is fitted onto each end of the two sections and turned upward.
Rising from these 4 elbows are short sections of pipe (about 6 inches long). They raise the canopy above the level of the gunwales, providing a breezeway and allowing the dog to stick his head out the sides.
Each vertical riser is tipped with another 90 degree elbow. Those in front are turned backward, those in the rear are turned forward.
Between these elbows run 2 more sections of pipe, 1 on either side of the canopy extending from front to rear.
The canopy is a section of a nylon pocket tarp from Walmart (Outdoor Products, I think). It costs about $15.
The dog gets to sit in the shade and relax while we do all the work. He loves it.
I'm sure he/she will appreciate the thought and work behind getting it set up.