: We used to have a open cockpit tamdem that had room for our dog between the
: two paddlers. Our dog loved to go out with us! Well, we no longer have
: that boat. We are now building a Pygmy Tandem and we are wondering if we
: might be able to create a drop in platform for our dog to sit in one of
: the hatches. Has anyone tried this?

If you liked the open cockpit of your previous boat, remember that as the builder you can make the cockpit of your Pygmy Tandem any shape you wish.

Go ahead and make a single, large open cockpit which can acomodate two paddlers and a dog.

Or, make two cockpits of different sizes. One would be larger to accomodate a paddler and dog, while the second would suit only a paddler.
Iy you make the stern cokpit larger the dog can rest betweenthe stern paddler's legs. If you make the bow cockpit larger the dog can rest behind the bow paddler. By adjusting the mounting for the bow seat and backrest the bow paddler's position can be shifted for trim.

With any of these options you get an added benefit: you'll open up the center of the deck enough to allow a solo paddler to sit in the middle of the boat-- even if the paddler has a dog for a passenger.

Obviously any changes in cockpit sizes will require changes in sprayskirts.

Have you given any thought to carrying a carpeted platform (or some other dog ladder) to give your dog some footing while it boards, or reboards from the water?

Just a few thoughts for you to ponder.

good luck with your project

PGJ