Boating with young children
Discussion
I've always wanted a motor boat, but for various reasons it's never been the right time to buy one. But now in the next couple of years we are thinking of doing it. We will be looking at a sports cruiser style motor boat, around the 30-35ft range. Probably something like a Sealine S34.
The only problem is we have two young girls, eldest is 2 and youngest is 3 weeks old! We are all new to boating, but plan to do our day skipper certification before we start anything.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of boating with young children? They are likely to either be 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. Or are we mad, and should just wait until they are a bit older?
ETA: We will be looking at coastal boating, mostly in and around the Solent, but with some trips further afield and possibly cross channel if we feel confident enough.
Thanks.
The only problem is we have two young girls, eldest is 2 and youngest is 3 weeks old! We are all new to boating, but plan to do our day skipper certification before we start anything.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of boating with young children? They are likely to either be 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. Or are we mad, and should just wait until they are a bit older?
ETA: We will be looking at coastal boating, mostly in and around the Solent, but with some trips further afield and possibly cross channel if we feel confident enough.
Thanks.
Edited by XJ75 on Monday 19th April 11:08
Whilst not much to add on the child front I’d stock up on a few items below deck to keep them entertained. I’ve taken my niece and nephew sailing but youngest was 6 then and they get bored quite quickly. Life jackets would be a must for me at that age.
The biggest recommendation is get booked on to a course that way you can experience wether it really is for you and the Mrs. I assume you are clued up on mooring fees and associated costs of running?
Further down the line when purchasing I’d recommend goi g out with just you and the Mrs and someone whose been doing it a while and just get used to the vessel and how it handles especially when mooring.
The biggest recommendation is get booked on to a course that way you can experience wether it really is for you and the Mrs. I assume you are clued up on mooring fees and associated costs of running?
Further down the line when purchasing I’d recommend goi g out with just you and the Mrs and someone whose been doing it a while and just get used to the vessel and how it handles especially when mooring.
Thanks. We've both done powerboat level 2 to give us an introduction (although on a RIB so not quite the same).
Yep fully aware of running costs and mooring fees. It is a depressingly expensive hobby, particularly mooring on the Solent.
We got close to buying before so have even researched which marina we prefer etc. and have costs for the mooring, insurance, an estimate of fuel, servicing and repair costs plus stuff like lift, scrub and antifoul etc.
Yep fully aware of running costs and mooring fees. It is a depressingly expensive hobby, particularly mooring on the Solent.
We got close to buying before so have even researched which marina we prefer etc. and have costs for the mooring, insurance, an estimate of fuel, servicing and repair costs plus stuff like lift, scrub and antifoul etc.
XJ75 said:
I've always wanted a motor boat, but for various reasons it's never been the right time to buy one. But now in the next couple of years we are thinking of doing it. We will be looking at a sports cruiser style motor boat, around the 30-35ft range. Probably something like a Sealine S34.
The only problem is we have two young girls, eldest is 2 and youngest is 3 weeks old! We are all new to boating, but plan to do our day skipper certification before we start anything.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of boating with young children? They are likely to either be 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. Or are we mad, and should just wait until they are a bit older?
ETA: We will be looking at coastal boating, mostly in and around the Solent, but with some trips further afield and possibly cross channel if we feel confident enough.
Thanks.
No personal experience but I follow several live-aboard families on YT (sail boat rather than motor boat) It can be done without problem. Safety will be the biggest concern.The only problem is we have two young girls, eldest is 2 and youngest is 3 weeks old! We are all new to boating, but plan to do our day skipper certification before we start anything.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of boating with young children? They are likely to either be 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. Or are we mad, and should just wait until they are a bit older?
ETA: We will be looking at coastal boating, mostly in and around the Solent, but with some trips further afield and possibly cross channel if we feel confident enough.
Thanks.
Edited by XJ75 on Monday 19th April 11:08
We have 2 children, one just turned 4 and one nearly 8. They were both on my 7m rib from 3 weeks old and still are, regularly.
Points to note, in no particular order of importance:
1. Babies will fall asleep easily to the sound of the engine (s) and motion.
2. Small children don't really anticipate the waves so speed and shock management is important. This will typically mean going slower than you might've planned. Displacement speeds are surprisingly relaxing anyway!
3. Little people get cold more quickly and are difficult to warm up.
4. Make the buying of a lifejacket a fun experience for your 2 year old. An adult sees a lifejacket that is an non-negotiable and essential safety device. A 2 year might just see it as a 'straight jacket' if the fun factor is not applied. We call the lifejackets 'cheese jackets' because they're bright yellow.
5. As they grow, give them boat jobs to do - coiling ropes, lookouts, helming, etc..
6. Get them swimming in their lifejackets so they get used to it, should they go for an un-planned dunking...
7. Water reflects 60% more light than the land - little people get sunburned more easily. Your 2 year old will appreciate some cool sunglasses.
Good luck - I'm sure you and your family will have a blast!
Points to note, in no particular order of importance:
1. Babies will fall asleep easily to the sound of the engine (s) and motion.
2. Small children don't really anticipate the waves so speed and shock management is important. This will typically mean going slower than you might've planned. Displacement speeds are surprisingly relaxing anyway!
3. Little people get cold more quickly and are difficult to warm up.
4. Make the buying of a lifejacket a fun experience for your 2 year old. An adult sees a lifejacket that is an non-negotiable and essential safety device. A 2 year might just see it as a 'straight jacket' if the fun factor is not applied. We call the lifejackets 'cheese jackets' because they're bright yellow.
5. As they grow, give them boat jobs to do - coiling ropes, lookouts, helming, etc..
6. Get them swimming in their lifejackets so they get used to it, should they go for an un-planned dunking...
7. Water reflects 60% more light than the land - little people get sunburned more easily. Your 2 year old will appreciate some cool sunglasses.
Good luck - I'm sure you and your family will have a blast!
Our lot were on (sailing) boats from 1 year old. We found it useful to make a safe space for them for when you need all adult hands on deck and you want to make sure they're safe. We made a net barrier on a bunk, making it escape-proof. That meant that if we were trying to go alongside we knew they weren't going to fall down/off anything down below and bang heads etc.
The other thing is that used nappies stink on longer trips, so find a locker that vents over the side!
We used it as an excuse to wear life jackets all the time, so that they didn't feel like it was a thing for babies/children. We've kept that up and now wear them all the time on deck - a good habit.
My eldest is now 18 and a qualified RYA instructor, so it's really nice to see them grow up and develop on boats.
I feel old...
The other thing is that used nappies stink on longer trips, so find a locker that vents over the side!
We used it as an excuse to wear life jackets all the time, so that they didn't feel like it was a thing for babies/children. We've kept that up and now wear them all the time on deck - a good habit.
My eldest is now 18 and a qualified RYA instructor, so it's really nice to see them grow up and develop on boats.
I feel old...
My parents bought a Seamaster 23 when I was 5 and my brother 2. Neither of us drowned.
A practical consideration - make sure you can handle the boat one-handed. I'd imagine a toddler wobbling round isn't ideal, even below decks if they're likely to bump into something, so someone may have to be on watch the children duty while the other moors up. Also, keep them entertained as 4 hours pootling along looking at the scenery is a nice relaxing pastime for an adult. When they get to 6-7YO it'll be BOOOOORRRRIIINNNGGGG!
A practical consideration - make sure you can handle the boat one-handed. I'd imagine a toddler wobbling round isn't ideal, even below decks if they're likely to bump into something, so someone may have to be on watch the children duty while the other moors up. Also, keep them entertained as 4 hours pootling along looking at the scenery is a nice relaxing pastime for an adult. When they get to 6-7YO it'll be BOOOOORRRRIIINNNGGGG!
Conversely I sold a boat when I had young kids those sort of ages and waited a few years. However, a 35 footer is large enough to be comfortable and safe for you all but I'd recommend a PB2 rather than a day skipper. You can either use a school that uses the same/similar boat or have own boat tuition for a little more.
My parents did boating with toddlers. Despite the two children clearly being utterly awesome, over the years I have been given the clear impression by my mother that at that age it was an utter ballache. It's sull' time entertainer and prison warden for who her adult is not having all the fun at the helm.
Last summer I was out on a friend's boat with my two and had a wail of a time but part of that was possibly due to his wife, who is the living embodiment of Mary Poppins losing her s
t as their one year old wouldn't settle.
Personally, I'd wait until both children are old enough to appreciate the concepts of death by misadventure and death by parent. It's all doable but the chances of having pure fun while forking out cash have the odds stacked quite heavily against you.
Last summer I was out on a friend's boat with my two and had a wail of a time but part of that was possibly due to his wife, who is the living embodiment of Mary Poppins losing her s
t as their one year old wouldn't settle. Personally, I'd wait until both children are old enough to appreciate the concepts of death by misadventure and death by parent. It's all doable but the chances of having pure fun while forking out cash have the odds stacked quite heavily against you.
Young children and a boat didn't work for us. Our children were 5 and 3 when we had ours and trying to keep them occupied was a real task and the rest of the time being paranoid about them going overboard.
We subsequently sold up and will probably return to it when the children are older
We subsequently sold up and will probably return to it when the children are older
Another top tip is to try to see the world through the lens of a child.....
Most children love beaches, running around and generally enjoying splashing around in the water. They'll not appreciate a 6 hour cruise, followed by 3 hours in a bar/restaurant. This might be in contrast to what you would ideally like to do.
However, an hours blast or pootle to get to a bay to anchor and then launch the tender to raid the beach and build sandcastles is orders of magnitude more fun for most children. With preparation this can also involve some fine wines!
My littles have been on the water since they were dots. My daughter started sailing her own Oppie just after her 6th birthday. There is a train of thought that if your children are out sailing / SUPing / canoeing with friends / organisations they are less likely to be involved with less desirable pastimes....
Most children love beaches, running around and generally enjoying splashing around in the water. They'll not appreciate a 6 hour cruise, followed by 3 hours in a bar/restaurant. This might be in contrast to what you would ideally like to do.
However, an hours blast or pootle to get to a bay to anchor and then launch the tender to raid the beach and build sandcastles is orders of magnitude more fun for most children. With preparation this can also involve some fine wines!
My littles have been on the water since they were dots. My daughter started sailing her own Oppie just after her 6th birthday. There is a train of thought that if your children are out sailing / SUPing / canoeing with friends / organisations they are less likely to be involved with less desirable pastimes....
I was on boats from birth pretty much... Big and small.
In fact I was dropped between the boat and the bank as I was being passed aboard as a baby.. To say my father got a bking is an understatement.
As a kid I have to say I found it generally very boring. As an adult it can be great fun. As a kid... Not so much. There just isn't much to do. Make sure you take entertainment to keep them occupied.
Highlights for me were...
Learning to scull (single oar on transom). Tiny boats are great for kids - swallows and amazon's FTW
Being dropped from the top of the mast in the boson's chair and caught just before I hit the hatch covers (it was the 70s). That was brilliant fun.
Plinking beer cans with a Webley... As I say... It was the 70s.
None of the highlights were really sailing / boating related as such... Or sensible to do today.
Overriding memories are of the tedium of waiting to get somewhere. Still find it boring now unless sailing very hard with boat hard over. But then I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky, which isn't ideal for sailing safely.
In fact I was dropped between the boat and the bank as I was being passed aboard as a baby.. To say my father got a b
king is an understatement. As a kid I have to say I found it generally very boring. As an adult it can be great fun. As a kid... Not so much. There just isn't much to do. Make sure you take entertainment to keep them occupied.
Highlights for me were...
Learning to scull (single oar on transom). Tiny boats are great for kids - swallows and amazon's FTW
Being dropped from the top of the mast in the boson's chair and caught just before I hit the hatch covers (it was the 70s). That was brilliant fun.
Plinking beer cans with a Webley... As I say... It was the 70s.
None of the highlights were really sailing / boating related as such... Or sensible to do today.
Overriding memories are of the tedium of waiting to get somewhere. Still find it boring now unless sailing very hard with boat hard over. But then I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky, which isn't ideal for sailing safely.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
I was on boats from birth pretty much... Big and small.
In fact I was dropped between the boat and the bank as I was being passed aboard as a baby.. To say my father got a bking is an understatement.
As a kid I have to say I found it generally very boring. As an adult it can be great fun. As a kid... Not so much. There just isn't much to do. Make sure you take entertainment to keep them occupied.
Highlights for me were...
Learning to scull (single oar on transom). Tiny boats are great for kids - swallows and amazon's FTW
Being dropped from the top of the mast in the boson's chair and caught just before I hit the hatch covers (it was the 70s). That was brilliant fun.
Plinking beer cans with a Webley... As I say... It was the 70s.
None of the highlights were really sailing / boating related as such... Or sensible to do today.
Overriding memories are of the tedium of waiting to get somewhere. Still find it boring now unless sailing very hard with boat hard over. But then I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky, which isn't ideal for sailing safely.
I thinks those are good points. When I look back, my fondest memories are not of travelling anywhere on my fathers boat unless it was nasty weather. The memories all stem from when we were moored up. Mostly from the freedom and responsibilities that dinghies gave. I had one of those tiny Sportyak boats that I'd row for hours just exploring on my own, a lug sail that to be honest I found a bit boring so then bought a Topper which out on the Solent wave hopping was tremendous fun and a 13ft Dory that I could take over to the IoW. In fact I was dropped between the boat and the bank as I was being passed aboard as a baby.. To say my father got a b
king is an understatement. As a kid I have to say I found it generally very boring. As an adult it can be great fun. As a kid... Not so much. There just isn't much to do. Make sure you take entertainment to keep them occupied.
Highlights for me were...
Learning to scull (single oar on transom). Tiny boats are great for kids - swallows and amazon's FTW
Being dropped from the top of the mast in the boson's chair and caught just before I hit the hatch covers (it was the 70s). That was brilliant fun.
Plinking beer cans with a Webley... As I say... It was the 70s.
None of the highlights were really sailing / boating related as such... Or sensible to do today.
Overriding memories are of the tedium of waiting to get somewhere. Still find it boring now unless sailing very hard with boat hard over. But then I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky, which isn't ideal for sailing safely.
As for things you could do in the 70s, it looks like you could still do them in the 80s. When anchored off a beach we used to love going up in the bosun's chair, not for the drop but for the pendulum swing. .22 air pistol competitions at low water was a habitual pastime. A beer can launcher and an old 20 gauge box lock completed the inappropriate entertainment. Fathers were also still dropping babies in the 80s also.
Sitting for hours in light airs, playing cards was fine but not the events that really feature in my memories.
Dinghy sailing over to a beach with water coming in over the gunwales and the children struggling to breathe due to that screaming while laughing scenario or smashing over waves while they helm something with 500hp and develop face ache from that rictus grin. Or being catapulted off a doughnut during a tight turn.
These are the silly things that I think you need to ensure happen if you want to get away with a spot of A to B travel and some fine dining.
I did a lot of sailing as a young kid with my Dad which was his hobby. Spent mostly sailing between Solent ports and some class racing. I was always involved so that made it much more enjoyable. Helping tacking, helming etc. Other things to do were going around the marinas in the Avon and fishing.
we sail out of gosport and whilst are children are now all grown up we used to sail with 3 under 5's both solent and france/channel islands - children coped brilliantly- as mentioned shorter trips and fun stops ie beaches and ice creams etc were winners - you have the advantage of in good weather (and in bad weather stay at base) cruising I guess at 15kt plus whilst for us a 5kt average was good - hence you can choose the better weather and get there quicker (time and speed) and then enjoy the family at the destination- for us favourites with the children were ryde (beach etc) - lymington (ice creams and park swings and slides), etc etc - re base we were on a mooring so had to row out in dinghy but again all part of the fun - enjoy - wish we were doing it all again
I took some friends out on our boat at the weekend, their kids are still young at 2 and 4 and it reminded me of how much attention they need, a lot of the time. We were lucky that mine where there to keep them busy but don't underestimate how much supervision is required and that you'll be effectively singlehanded most of the time. That's fine when under way but locking out/in a marina, berthing, anchoring etc are all times when a little one might decide to suddenly climb somewhere, turn gas on, etc...
Been boating for a while with a sport cruiser of similar size, but when kids came along, much of the enjoyment went from it. We have all the safety gear you need and took the girls out as babies, and that's not bad as they just fall asleep. But as soon as they're toddlers it becomes a nightmare.
Small kids (below 5) need CONSTANT attention, and hands on restraint which is no fun at all for mum, and/or whoever else you've drafted along for help. And there's not much you can really do to help whilst driving, which also causes friction. When anchored, you're paranoid that they'll fall/jump overboard as small kids have zero sense of self preservation and climb on everything, so again have to be constantly watched/restrained which they get frustrated with. If they're not trying to kill themselves, they're either bored, hungry, pooing, having a tantrum, falling over, getting sunburnt, or just not wanting to be there.
Going out on the boat unfortunately turned into a chore, and would always end up in a fight with the missis, which completely defeats the purpose. So with that said, we (very regrettably for me) put our boating on hold until the youngest is 4 or 5, and by that time the eldest will be 7-8 so they will be much more self sufficient and better able to cope with the boat environment and all that entails.
My advice, as you're a complete beginner boater, adding small kids into the mix, which are extremely distracting, it becomes a safety issue. You're simply not able to fully concentrate on what you need to which as a novice is not a good place to be, and can lead to things going very wrong very quickly.
Small kids (below 5) need CONSTANT attention, and hands on restraint which is no fun at all for mum, and/or whoever else you've drafted along for help. And there's not much you can really do to help whilst driving, which also causes friction. When anchored, you're paranoid that they'll fall/jump overboard as small kids have zero sense of self preservation and climb on everything, so again have to be constantly watched/restrained which they get frustrated with. If they're not trying to kill themselves, they're either bored, hungry, pooing, having a tantrum, falling over, getting sunburnt, or just not wanting to be there.
Going out on the boat unfortunately turned into a chore, and would always end up in a fight with the missis, which completely defeats the purpose. So with that said, we (very regrettably for me) put our boating on hold until the youngest is 4 or 5, and by that time the eldest will be 7-8 so they will be much more self sufficient and better able to cope with the boat environment and all that entails.
My advice, as you're a complete beginner boater, adding small kids into the mix, which are extremely distracting, it becomes a safety issue. You're simply not able to fully concentrate on what you need to which as a novice is not a good place to be, and can lead to things going very wrong very quickly.
Edited by dvs_dave on Wednesday 5th May 18:51
On safety front as well as suggestions above I would look at safety lines like a lot of yachties do for rough weather. Might limit how far they can move but also limits how far they end up in the water. - just make sure you always have a safety belt cutter tied to your belt incase st gets real bad and the boat capsizes or similar and you need to cut them free in a hurry.
Also make double sure you have adequate life raft provision, heat blankets etc for incase the worst happens as children are much more vulnerable to hypothermia and cold injuries than adults so while you may be ok a bit wet sat in the liferaft for an hour while the RNLI scrambles, they certainly wont be unless carefully looked after. Even in summer. In winter you probably have only a few minutes immersion time before they are fked - adults don't last much longer either.
Also think of foam covering corners and stuff in the cabin incase they fall over.
When they get older, teach them to use the radio to call for help and how to emergency stop engines, use an extinguisher etc as its not that uncommon for adults to be incapacitated in some way (or in the water) leaving the kids to sort st out.
Boating as a child is great fun but carries great risks too. However take the right attitude and plan for the worst and realistically you will likely be fine.
t gets real bad and the boat capsizes or similar and you need to cut them free in a hurry. Also make double sure you have adequate life raft provision, heat blankets etc for incase the worst happens as children are much more vulnerable to hypothermia and cold injuries than adults so while you may be ok a bit wet sat in the liferaft for an hour while the RNLI scrambles, they certainly wont be unless carefully looked after. Even in summer. In winter you probably have only a few minutes immersion time before they are f
ked - adults don't last much longer either.Also think of foam covering corners and stuff in the cabin incase they fall over.
When they get older, teach them to use the radio to call for help and how to emergency stop engines, use an extinguisher etc as its not that uncommon for adults to be incapacitated in some way (or in the water) leaving the kids to sort s
t out. Boating as a child is great fun but carries great risks too. However take the right attitude and plan for the worst and realistically you will likely be fine.
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