Watching our boat Sea Foam steam up a channel in the early morning, I imagine you might notice many things: the red dinghy towing in our wake, the yellow kayak on the pilot house roof, the salty cabin and the graceful lines. And you definitely won't miss the Mastiff riding on the bow.

Weighing in at 120 pounds, Kona is heavier than our largest storm anchor, roughly the same size as our engine and by far the best conversation piece in our 40-foot home. Again and again, we have been asked the inevitable question, "why not get a smaller dog?"

The answers are simple. We never worry about Kona getting carried off by an Eagle in its talons. Nor do we fret about anything being carried off Sea Foam while Kona is aboard. She may be large, but she requires the same care as a toy breed, and in fact her bladder is much bigger – good for 12 hours in a pinch.

Photo by Rick LeBlancAt 120 pounds, Kona is heavier than most storm anchors and about the same size as an engine. But she makes good company.

While Kona may be unique, we are hardly the only boat harboring a furry crewmate. Aboard kayaks and cruisers, on lakes and on oceans, a growing number of boaters are taking their pets along for the ride. It seems simple enough – just plop Fifi on board and push off. But do so without adequate preparation and attention to your animal's needs and you may find yourself in for an unpleasant mutiny.

Yet with a little planning and some daily discipline, animals can make a great addition to your crew. Kona came to boating when she was two years old, and she has adapted wonderfully to liveaboard life. She loves to be with us wherever we go and we enjoy having her. She is great company when you want to check a crab trap, hang a fishing line out or just putt around the anchorage at sunset. She keeps us safe, exercised and entertained by her wonderful personality. Who could ask for a better boating companion?

SAFETY GEAR

If you plan on taking on a four-legged passenger, start with some basic preparation. Order an ID tag for your pet that includes your boat's permanent marina location and slip number, as well as a phone contact that can be reached when you are afloat.

You will also need some safety gear. A good PFD (personal floatation device) for your pet will have flotation all the way around your animal's body, not just along their back. These limited flotation devices are often inadequate to support a larger dog, because the area that floats is on the surface of the water rather than under and around the dog. A large dog will end up with minimal support as they struggle to get back to the boat.

A good PFD for dogs will be brightly colored and have a large grab handle, allowing you to pull the dog out of the drink with a boat hook or by hand. Getting a panicky animal out of the water is difficult, because survival instincts take over and they will claw at any solid object –including you. Kona wears a Marmaduke-sized Skipper vest manufactured by Salus Marine.

Get your pet used to the PFD in small steps. With Kona, we made the mistake of putting her jacket on and then putting her on the boat. She attempted to go through the starboard door to the outside deck and got herself stuck, then panicked. It was some time before she attempted to use that door again, even without her lifejacket.