Solstice Watersports Inflatable PupPlank Dog Ramp - XL
Solstice Watersports Inflatable PupPlank Dog Ramp - XL — Product description
The Solstice Watersports PupPlank XL is an inflatable dog ramp built for boats, docks, and pools. Its weighted mesh end sinks below the surface so your dog gets a clean, low-effort way back aboard. Rigid when inflated thanks to drop-stitch PVC, light and compact when folded. If you've ever struggled to haul a soaking-wet dog over the gunwale, this solves it.
If you've spent a summer on the water with a dog, you know the drill. Your dog jumps in for a swim, has the time of their life, and then can't figure out how to get back aboard. So you end up leaning over the side, grabbing a soaking-wet retriever by the harness, and hauling. It's hard on your back and it's not much fun for the dog either. The Solstice Watersports PupPlank XL fixes that. It's an inflatable ramp that gives your dog their own way in and out of the water, off the boat, off the dock, or at the pool.
The trick is the weighted mesh section at the water end. It sinks below the surface, so instead of clawing at a floating edge your dog has a submerged step to plant their paws on and walk up. Solstice built integrated steps into that mesh for extra traction underwater, which matters a lot for older dogs or shorter legs that can't just launch themselves up. Once they're on the ramp, the deck surface is a dense, claw-resistant traction pad that's UV and saltwater resistant, so it holds up to real sun and real salt without getting chewed up.
What makes this work on a boat is the construction. The PupPlank is built from premium-grade PVC with drop-stitch technology, the same approach used on stand-up paddleboards. Pump it up and it's rigid. Really rigid, not a floppy pool toy. That stiffness is what lets a ramp rated to 120 pounds bridge the gap from waterline to deck without folding under the dog's weight. And when you're done, it deflates and rolls down to a 21 by 10 inch bundle that drops into the included sling-style carry bag. The whole thing weighs 12 pounds. So it stows in a lazarette or a dock box without eating your storage.
Rigging it is straightforward. You get four D-ring attachment points, two on top and two underneath, plus two 8-foot rope lines to tie it off. On a boat, you'll run the lines to a cleat or a rail so the ramp stays put while your dog climbs. Off a dock, you can lash it to a piling or a dock cleat. One thing worth knowing from the water: on boats with high freeboard or a sharply curved swim platform, you may want to rig extra straps to keep the top edge snug against the hull. The four D-rings give you the tie points to do it. Take a minute to set it up right the first time and your dog will use it without a second thought.
The XL is the big-dog version, rated to 120 pounds, and the ramp deck measures 48 by 32 by 5 inches. That's enough width that most dogs don't feel like they're balancing on a beam. Inflation is quick with the Halkey-Roberts valve and the included hand pump, push-pin to fill and screw cap to hold pressure. Be honest with yourself about your dog, though. A confident swimmer takes to this in one session. A nervous dog might need a few tries at the dock in calm water before they trust it in open chop. Introduce it slow, reward the climb, and let them figure it out on their own terms.
For a family that boats with a dog, this is one of those pieces of gear you don't think about until you need it, and then you're glad it's aboard. It ships complete with the PupPlank, a hand pump, the carry bag, two 8-foot lines, and a repair kit, so you've got everything to get it in the water the day it arrives. And because it's inflatable, it doubles as a pool ramp at home in the off-season, or a safe exit for any critter that ends up in the water. That's a lot of use out of one piece of gear.
Key Features
- Weighted mesh end sinks below the waterline with integrated steps so dogs get a submerged foothold to climb
- Drop-stitch PVC construction inflates rigid enough to support the full 120 lb weight rating without sagging
- 48 x 32 x 5 inch ramp deck gives even large dogs a wide, stable climbing surface
- Claw-resistant traction pad is UV and saltwater resistant for real sun and salt exposure
- 4 D-ring tie-downs (2 on top, 2 underneath) plus two 8 ft lines to secure it to a cleat, rail, or piling
- Halkey-Roberts valve with push-pin fill and screw cap inflates fast with the included hand pump
- Folds to a 21 x 10 inch bundle and weighs 12 lbs for easy storage in a lazarette or dock box
- 120 lb weight capacity suits large breeds
- Works off boats, docks, and pools, and ships with a sling-style carry bag and repair kit
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Solstice Watersports reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Solstice Watersports Inflatable PupPlank Dog Ramp - XL |
|---|---|
| Brand | Solstice Watersports |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 33248 |
| UPC | 723815950574 |
| Weight | 12 lbs |
| Ramp Dimensions (L x W x H) | 48 x 32 x 5 in |
| Folded Size | 21 x 10 in |
| Weight Capacity | 120 lbs |
| Valve Type | Halkey-Roberts (HR) with push-pin and screw cap |
| Construction | Premium-grade PVC with drop-stitch technology |
| D-Ring Attachment Points | 4 (2 top, 2 underneath) |
| Traction Pad | Claw-resistant, UV and saltwater resistant |
| Included Lines | (2) 8 ft rope lines |
| In the Box | PupPlank, hand pump, sling-style carry bag, (2) 8 ft rope lines, repair kit |
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can the PupPlank XL hold?
It's rated to 120 pounds, which covers most large breeds. The drop-stitch PVC deck stays rigid under that load so the ramp won't fold when your dog climbs.
How does a dog actually get onto the ramp from the water?
The mesh section at the water end is weighted, so it sinks below the surface. Your dog plants their paws on the submerged integrated steps and walks up, instead of trying to claw over a floating edge. That submerged foothold is the whole point.
What are the ramp's dimensions?
The inflated ramp measures 48 by 32 by 5 inches. Folded down it's about 21 by 10 inches, and it weighs 12 pounds.
How do I attach it to my boat?
It has four D-ring attachment points, two on top and two underneath, plus two 8-foot rope lines. Run the lines to a cleat or rail to hold the ramp against the hull. On boats with high freeboard or a curved swim platform, add extra straps to keep the top edge snug.
How do I inflate it?
It uses a Halkey-Roberts valve with a push-pin fill function and a screw cap to lock pressure. The included hand pump gets it rigid in a few minutes. No electric pump needed.
Is it saltwater safe?
Yes. The traction pad material is UV and saltwater resistant. A fresh-water rinse now and then helps it last, but it's built for salt exposure.
Can I use it at a pool or dock, not just a boat?
Absolutely. It works off boats, docks, and pools. A lot of owners keep it at the pool to give dogs, or any animal that falls in, a safe way out of the water.
What comes in the box?
You get the PupPlank, a hand pump, a sling-style carry bag, two 8-foot rope lines, and a repair kit. Everything you need to put it in the water the day it arrives.
My dog is nervous about new things. Will they use it?
Most dogs take to it, but confidence varies. Introduce it in calm, shallow water at a dock first, reward the climb, and let your dog approach it at their own pace before you rely on it in open water.