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alaskamari

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We're about to set sail with our 1.5 year old toddler. We can use all the help we can get with this, so any tips about boating safely and enjoyably with small people would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
The infant has to wear flotation at ALL times, no matter how inconvenient... At 18 months they agile, mobile, and an unguided missile... They can go out the cabin door and over the rail (or under) in the time it takes you to fill your coffee cup...

Also, they require continuous attention... Give the mother a break on a frequent basis so she can also sit back, sip a drink, and watch the ducks...
 
We used a clip-on seat like this
regalo%20hook%20on%20high%20chair.jpg


There is a recent thread about this here http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?p= ... ht=#138484.
 
i'd shackle the little guy and chain him to the steering wheel. that's is to say, unless he can cook, fetch beer, do the laundry, wash the boat and occassionally captain the vessel during inclement weather. i'd sit him down and explained that he's got to pay his own way and iou's are unexceptable. ok, now this approach might not work well with the little woman so be prepared to modify your temperament slightly and just give way to your offspring's comfort and safety.
good luck and happy boating.
pat
 
I have 2 kids (2 and 9) and safety was a concern for me so I came up with the idea of a tether line.

One end of the tether is clipped to their PFD when in the cockpit. The other end is clipped to the grab rail on the roof. Max length the kids can go is to the motor well. For some reason, they enjoy coming in and out the cabin so watch out for them.

The dinette is convert to a bunk and stays that way when the kids are on board. Those corners on the table have gotten me a few times.

Games and toys can keep them busy for a while, but their attention spans are very short. A mini TV/DVD player helps.

We bought mini folding chairs designed for kids....works great when they want to sit in the cockpit. For our kids, we keep the cooler way from them. They like to climb/stand on those things which makes it easier for them to go over the gunnels.

Don't forget to bring their favorite blanket, pillow, and teddy for naps.

Hope this helps....
 
Good ideas all, My grandchildren are of an age where these suggestions really mean something. For consideration: when tethering the mini-C-Brat make sure the tether point on their life jacket is secure enough to take their weight in a fall and that the jacket is well-fitted so they don't just slip out of it.
 
when tethering the mini-C-Brat make sure the tether point on their life jacket is secure enough to take their weight in a fall and that the jacket is well-fitted so they don't just slip out of it.
Click to expand...

And test it -- pick up the child by the PFD and tether and shake (gently) to be sure that he/she doesn't slip out. 10 years ago now, my then 3 year old was sitting in the dink in Avalon harbor with our 3 year old neighbor -- both wearing PFDs, when our little neighbor stood up and promptly fell overboard. It was funny only because she came rebounding out of the water like the submarine on Hunt for Red October -- thanks to the PFD.
 
With my boys (4 and 7), who have been on a boat since they were knee high to a grasshopper (whatever that means :-) ) we have certain rules:

1. Life jacket must be worn at all times EXCEPT when in the berth. They take naps, watch DVDs, play trucks, etc. in the berth. The minute they step out, on goes the jacket. They wear them all the time in the cabin when not in the berth.

2. Parents must wear life jackets while the boat is moving. Should wear them all the time as an example, but when the boat is going to move everyone wears a life vest (adults wear the inflatable kind).

3. Kids have the attention span of a gnat. With my kids it is an inherited trait. :-) You must have things for them to do on the boat such as a coloring books, sticker books, reading books, toys, DVD player, etc. Don't be upset if they're not as excited about all the neat things in the water as you are.

4. Snacks! Don't forget snacks! My littlest one gets on the boat and starts eating.

5. My kids are a little older, but no one goes out in the cockpit without an adult present.

6. We have the little chairs also, so they sit lower in the cockpit.

Something to remember that was really evident to me at the last CBGT I attended...when the boat is docked, little kids want to constantly enter and exit the boat from the cockpit. To me the scariest issue, second only to a MOB while moving, is the thought of one of my sons falling BETWEEN the boat and the dock.

Bottom line: there is no substitute for adult supervision.

Adults need to take turns handling this duty because the kids seem to have endless energy!

Of course, I bought the boat because I wanted to share the experience with them, so in the end it is all worth it. :-)
 
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