We were full of questions and Paul was a willing participant:
Q: Has Skatty ever gotten seasick?
Yes he has gotten seasick once. If my previous cat is anything to go by, when we are voyaging he should get over it in a day or two but as his sails have all been day sails to date, it has not really been an issue.
Q: How does Skatty cope when the water is rough?
He finds the most comfortable spot on the boat (generally under the salon table) and goes to sleep.
Do you have a rope or ladder for skatty?
Yes, a 2 inch diameter rope is trailed astern for him when we are at anchor.
How does Skatty react to seagulls?
He thinks of them as “meals on wheels” or the marine equivalent. His big ambition is to catch a seagull.. but so far no luck!
Q: What kind of cat food does Skatty eat while at sea?
Skatty normally gets raw food which in New Zealand can be bought coarsely ground with bone and heart in it. When voyaging when it’s not possible to carry enough raw food for the duration, so he gets the wet cat food that is available in pouches.
Q: Do the two of you live on the boat?
In summer we live onboard my sailing boat “la Chica” full time but in winter when I work more we share time between the boat and my office which is also a small flat. La Chica is mostly on a mooring about ten minutes drive from my office over the winter. In summer we can be anywhere.
Does Skatty always wear is harness or only at certain times?
Only when we are under way at least that will the the case until I’m confident that I’ve made a seacat of him. Tommy never wore a harness and had run of the boat at all times but he was a hardened seacat. Little Skatty still needs protecting from his own impulsive self. He is not allowed on deck at night at anchor or at sea.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Amazing Adventure: Maine Coon & Deaf Captain to Sail the World” quote=”Amazing Adventure: Maine Coon & Deaf Captain to Sail the World”]
Does Skatty wear a life vest?
Only in the dinghy when it’s rough. If you live on board, it’s impractical to where a life vest all the time.
OK, we had to ask…
Q: What kind of litter box does Skatty use when on board?
Standard open cat litter box with pine pellets. Pine pellets are also used in the composting head. This may change in future but it is working reasonably well for the time being. His litter box is normally kept in the ‘loo when under way or when the weather is bad. Otherwise it’s kept on deck.
Q: Does Skatty have any favorite spots on the boat?
Under the salon table when it gets rough. otherwise he likes to hang around with me. Generally, if I’m below, he’ll be below and if I’m on deck he will usually come up as well. The exception being when it’s rough.
Q: Where does Skatty sleep?
At night he normally sleeps with me, curled up in the crook of my knee. On deck he likes to sit on the solar panels when at anchor as it gives him a good view and since the panels are dark, they keep his bottom warm. Does not do to much for the charging rate however 🙁 Under way, if he comes up, he stays in the cockpit quite voluntarily., normally sitting/lying next to me or on my lap.
Q: Did you pick a Maine Coon on purpose?
I’ve always wanted a Maine Coon but in most parts of the world you are not likely to find Main Coons at cat rescue organization nor as strays as they are expensive and people tend to look after them. So all the cats in my life (only three as they have all been long lived) have been rescue cats because I believe there is no need for breeders to keep breeding when so many cats and kittens need homes. However at 58 (soon to be 59) I decided that since there is no real likely hood of me ever finding a Maine Coon rescue, I’d bite the bullet and buy a pedigree cat. There is still a berth on board La Chica for a rescue and when one comes along he/she will find a home so Skatty will eventually have a feline companion.
Maine Coons are lovely big teddy bears of a cat. They are also highly intelligent and genuinely like humans. They also are at home around water and in this case, Skatty is a polydactyl cat which is what ships cat traditionally are. The old time sailors believed that the big polydactyl paws gave them a better grip on the deck and also made them better mousers. So for me as sailor, it was very satisfying to have a polydactyl cat.
Summary
Q: Paul, is there a final message you would you like to share with all our cat loving readers?
It would be that you get out of your relationship with your cat what you put in. Your cat cannot become your friend and constant companion unless you take the time and effort to help her become one. You need to train him to wear a harness and accept a leash. Not many cats will walk on a leash like a dog but if you just follow your cat and start looking and seeing through their eyes, it’s amazing what you can learn and discover. I call that catting.
There you have it. What an extraordinary duo! We wish them a safe and incredible journey together and a most meow-velous adventure on the high seas! Be sure to follow their exploits on Skatty’s Facebook Page
Drop us a comment and tell us what you think. If you’re a Maine Coon lover, be sure to check out this post on some old myths and Myths and Folklore about Maine Coon Cats
OMG – I love that cat!!!!
Wonderful to see such a strong relationship between them
Awesome duo…
I’m sure they will both have amazing journeys..
Awesome cats who aren’t afraid of the sea. Great post
I have three senior cats of which one is a Maine Coon. He is a big, beautiful, loving boy. As a matter of fact, he is laying next to me as I type. I adopted all as senior cats, but in spite of not raising them from a kitten, I have a wonderful relationship with all of them.
I think that’s great. For another pretty kitty that lives on the sea, look for Salty Sea Cat, I love to see his pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and no I’m not plugging my own (mumbles….Boo the Deaf Kitty….) I’m just a fan and follower of Salty