Dimensions and Fit
There is no absolute correct way to attach a Skamper-Ramp to a pool,
however, we suggest it be anchored into the decking with screws and the
d-ring-clips we include. For those who don't want to screw into their deck, it can be
tied onto the railing, or to pool cover anchors. What is critical is that it be
snugged up against a vertical surface (pool wall) but still have a few inches of
the rounded "nose" end submerged. The pictures show it best.
The Skamper Ramp needs a flat area to brace against (at the pool wall) when assembled.
Why does it work?
The science is that ALL living beings - domestic or feral, bugs, animals or humans - see the color white, whether they are colorblind or not. As long as the Skamper-Ramp is installed so that a few inches of the "nose" (the curved end) are under water and the white breaks the surface, then the animal will see it. The other end of the ramp is like a box, and it is that "open-box" end that must be snug to a vertical wall (whether it's a pool, floating, dock, walled pond or spa, or stern/swim platform of a boat) in order to provide the rigidity necessary for an animal to "skamper" out on the ramp.
What size do I need?
We suggest that the smaller ramp is a good fit for wild animals and small to mid-sized (shorter stride) pets. We suggest the Super Skamper-Ramp for larger animals, or any sized animal when used for floating docks or houseboats, or smaller outboards (even with small boat swim platforms). For people with very small animals, the larger ramp can be sold/used as an indoor ramp to for dogs under 25 lbs to get up onto, or down from furniture.
Also, if people don't cover their pools for winter, but do drain them, then leaving the Super Skamper Ramp Big Dog hanging down into the pool makes an easy escape ramp for any animal that may get caught in off-season. If you're unsure about size, the Super Skamper-Ramp will accommodate all sized animals. It comes with extensions and more reinforcement for additional weight.
Vinyl Pools
The Skamper is ideal for vinyl liner pools because it is plastic against plastic, will not hurt the vinyl, and will certainly keep any animal's claws from puncturing. Some customers feel better getting their pool guy to put an extra layer of vinyl where they are going to install the ramp, but we have customers who have had skampers installed for a few years and had no problems.
Are there alternative anchoring methods?
For those who do not want to drill into their decks, it is possible to use alternative tie down points such as pool cover attachment points, skimmers and water levelers. There are many creative ways, you just want to make sure that the force is diagonal and does not pull purely horizontally (or it will pull out.)
There is no one right way to install a Skamper-Ramp - two criteria are critical: 1) a few inches of the round "nose" end need to be submerged so that the white breaks the water surface so the animal will see the white while swimming even in stress; and 2) it needs to be snug to a "rigid" a vertical wall so that when a critter or pet gets on the end the Skamper-Ramp has something to brace against. The patent is based on just that: the open-box-end providing rigidity and robustness, especially when braced against a vertical element.
The most important point about the installation is to have the Skamper-Ramp as snug to the pool edge as possible, while still have a few inches of the nose end of the ramp under water. To accomplish that, there are two sets of holes for threading the connection rope through (one above the Skamper-Ramp name and one below) in order to accommodate deep copings or flush edges.
Email us at Orders@Handsnpaws if you have any questions on this Product.
