Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats – Top Picks

Welcome to SportyDogGuide’s Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats review!

Many dogs love water. But some sporting breeds, such as retrievers and spaniels, are truly at home when they’re doing what they were bred to do – swimming and retrieving. It’s part of what makes them such good duck dogs.

A good duck dog is arguably as important as a good duck call when it comes to waterfowling, so you’ll want your dog to be able to get from boat to water and back into the boat with minimum effort. A good duck boat ladder will make it easy for your dog to get in and out of the boat without commotion or slipping.

What Makes A Good Duck Boat Dog Ladder?

Dog ladders for duck boats should be neutral colored to blend into the surroundings, easy to install, sturdy, and easy for your dog to navigate safely in and out of the boat.

The Best Dog Ladder for Duck Boats?

Wondering, “Who makes the best dog ladder for boat hunting”?

We’re going to look at 7 dog ladders to find the best choice for you, your dog and your duck boat.

Recommended or not? Read on!

1. Beavertail Aluminum Folding Dog Ladder

The Beavertail folding ladder is a two-way dog boat duck ladder that features a metal mesh across the ladder. While this model is easy to set up and adjust, quality control is a concern. Some customers have had problems with the ladder’s thumb screws and adjustment threads stripping out during use. Others have noted their dog struggles trying to navigate the slippery surface.

PROS

• Lightweight aluminum and stainless steel construction
• Easily adjustable to fit most mounting situations
• Folds in two to save space and for easy storage
• Works with any low-profile aluminum boat
• Open top with no barrier between steps and boat

CONS

• Steps can be slippery
• Surface of the ladder has numerous circular openings where dog’s nails and toes can get caught
• Hardware could be beefed up
• Not wide enough for larger, broad-shouldered retrievers

Dimensions: 23 inches x 11 inches x 7 inches
Weight: 9 pounds

Bottom Line: Not Recommended

2. MOmarsh Tree and Boat Ramp Stand

Momarsh’s stand is a dual-purpose model that can be used to help your dog in and out of a boat or as a dog seat in a tree. The design makes it a natural for deep water use, giving your dog a step/platform to first board. The Duramesh surface resists abrasions and tears while providing comfortable footing for your dog. Three straps run horizontally across the vertical section, creating a ladder with extra footing. The top serves as a final step/platform for your dog to enter the boat.

See how this versatile unit can go from ladder to stand in the water:

PROS

• The drop-down design provides an extra step/platform that makes this a great choice for deep water
• Easily attaches to gunwales
• Fabric is gentle on dog’s feet
• Two products in one – you get a boat ramp and tree stand for one price
• Open top with no barrier between steps and boat
• Folds up for easy transport

CONS

• Weight – at 15 pounds, it’s a bit heavy
• Price – it’s at the upper end of duck boat dog ladders

Dimensions:
Weight: 15 pounds

Bottom Line: Recommended as One of the Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats – See the current price on Amazon now. 

3. Beavertail Steath Dog Ramp

This option from Beavertail is made of polyethylene and designed specifically for Stealth 1200 and Stealth 2000 boats. It’s designed to attach to the rear handles of the 1200 and 2000, and can be swung out of the way when not in use.

PROS

• Good color for marshy environments
• No openings for dog’s feet to catch on
• Back-slanted steps provide good footing across platform
• Custom-fit for Stealth 1200 and 2000 boats

CONS

• Need to pull out of water if you want to paddle your Stealth boat efficiently
• Weight of a dog can cause the step to move or sink into the water
• Cumbersome to bring back into the boat if steps fill with water
• Only useful for owners of Stealth 1200 or Stealth 2000 boats

Dimensions: 36 inches x 18 inches x 12 inches
Weight: 10 pounds

Bottom Line: Not Recommended

4. Avery Sporting Dog Dog Ramp

Avery’s Sporting Dog Dog Ramp, like the MOmarsh stand, uses fabric for the ladder’s surface. However, this ramp features four grip steps sewn in like pockets that provide extra footing. The lower back frame supports are curved to rest against the bottom of your boat. There’s also a plastic bar tethered to the bottom of the ramp, similar to the steps on a folding rope ladder.

PROS

• The hooks are easy to set into place and adjustable to fit your boat
• The ramp extends to 28 inches but folds down into a compact 14 inches
• Lightweight – the unit weighs just 6.5 pounds, making it easy to transport and set up
• Grip steps help your dog maintain footing climbing out of the water
• Open top with no barrier between steps and boat

CONS

• Needs better documentation for set up

Dimensions: 24 inches long x 16 inches wide (between the arms)
Weight: 6.5 pounds

Bottom Line: Recommended as One of the Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats

See the current price on Amazon here. Note, the product image shown there is incorrect. The image on this page is the actual model.

5. Gator Trax Dog Platform – Gunnel

The Gator Trax Gunnel is a nicely designed duck boat dog platform that is simplicity in action. Similarly, all you have to do is adjust the gunwale clamps into position, hang them and it’s ready to use. The deck is covered with hydroturf, a closed-cell foam that repels water. A series of grooves in the hydroturf ensure solid footing. The platform is made from sturdy aluminum; consequently, it should last many years.

PROS

• Simple to install
• Sturdy
• Hydroturf surface on the platform provides sure footing for your dog
• Level platform makes it easy for your dog to shake off before getting back into the boat
• Open top with no barrier between steps and boat

CONS

• Price – this platform is the most expensive of all those reviewed here
• Not the best design for deep water

Dimensions: 25.5 inches x 18 inches
Weight: 12 pounds

Bottom Line: Recommended as One of the Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats

You can order the platform directly from Gator Trax.

6. Load-A-Pup HD

The HD from Load-A-Pup is intended for use on boats 14 feet or longer with sides 15 inches or taller. It’s constructed with strong but lightweight aircraft aluminum and supported by two aircraft suspension cables. There are six points on the back frame where you can adjust the height to set the platform at or just below water level. Some customers have complained that the J-bolts extend too far into the space where your dog must come up the ladder, creating a potential hazard, and have trimmed or modified them to create safer passage.

See the Load-A-Pup HD Dog Ladder in action:

PROS

• Solid construction
• Lightweight at 7 pounds
• Platform has good amount of surface area for your dog to stand/shake off
• Holds up to 200 pounds

CONS

• Depending on the set up, the top bar on the platform can make it difficult for dogs to pass over
• J-bolt mounting system could be better
• Not the best choice for taller boats

Dimensions: 24.5 inches x 17.5 inches x 3 inches
Weight: 7 pounds

Bottom Line: Recommended with Reservations – Order yours here.

7. WAG Boarding Steps LM-6H

This duck boat ladder from WAG is a true ladder, with six steps that create a vertical rise of 24 inches to the gunwale or transom lip of a boat. The LM-6H features reversible, modifiable hooks and uses adjustable struts to fit different hull designs and shapes.  Two side struts have rubber bumpers to protect your dog and your boat’s hull. The company touts the LM-6H can hold up to 130 pounds, therefore making it suitable for any size duck dog. It is available in two color patterns: marsh grass tan (shown here) or oak moss green.

Here’s a short clip of a retriever using the WAG Boarding Steps:

PROS

• 6 steps (each 4 inches deep) provide plenty of distance from boat to water and easy access from deep water
• Top of steps have slip-resistant surface for better footing
• Each step has a toe plate at the back to prevent your dog’s feet from sliding
• Open top with no barrier between steps and boat
• Steps contain closed-cell polyethylene foam which enables them to float if dislodged from the boat

CONS

• Won’t work on all boats – see fitment requirements
• No platform area for your dog to shake off
• Requires more set up than other models
• Price – second highest-priced ladder reviewed here

Fitment Requirements for the LM-6H:

• Fitment requires a lip width of 3-1/2 inches or smaller, a flat lip section 15 inches wide or more, no obstructions inside of the boat within 3-1/2 inches of the top of the lip (hooks can be modified if less), and a freeboard (distance from top of lip to water level) of no more than 16 inches (less for bigger dogs).

Dimensions: 42 inches x 18 inches x 5 inches
Weight: 8 pounds

Bottom Line: Recommended as One of the Best Dog Ladders for Duck Boats – The LM-6H is available directly from WAG or from Amazon.