Babies on boats...

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Babies on boats...

I had both my boys on the boat at around 4 months. Life jackets of course, type I is preferred in my opinion. When they were infants, we took a small umbrella stroller and they could sit in that and fall asleep. They are 2 and almost 4 now and they absolutely LOVE going boatin' They particularly like the trampoline we take with us and our 3 year old loves tubing.

 

[MRS]

Re: Babies on boats...

We, start them young always have with pfd's.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Babies on boats...

Car seats are fine but not straped in. Plenty of shade and they make PFD's that fit like a swim suit and work very well. It' never seemed that my kids were comfortable in PFDs until they could stand so keep trips short until they are having fun. 2 hours tops.

 

[bimini crickets]

Re: Babies on boats...

I know I'm jumping in late here, but I take our seven month old son out with us. Someone had mentioned it is better to have the whole family with you, and I couldn't agree more.

We use the car seat, BUT not with him strapped in or the seat strapped in. I have a cuddy cabin and the car seat fits perfectly in the V berth and keeps him pretty safe there (and I always have an eye on him )

The one thing I would say is not to stay out too long when it's really hot out because those jackets can overheat the child pretty easily. we stop often at dock or anchor and mom and the little one usually depart after about a half day, and I stay out with my seven year old daughter and two year old son...

the whole point of our boat is to have great times with the whole family and make memories the kids will remember forever...

 

[MRS]

Re: Babies on boats...

the whole point of our boat is to have great times with the whole family and make memories the kids will remember forever...


bimini C, You are totally right

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Babies on boats...

the whole point of our boat is to have great times with the whole family and make memories the kids will remember forever...

that is exactly it.....now my 6 yr old is starting to enforce the rules. all kids wear lifejackets, daddy has to have the lanyard hooked to him, no standing while the boat is moving, etc. lol Its great. What a feeling, looking back and thinking that kids are growing up with memories of boating/lake trips. it is probably the most involved our whole family gets all at one time while having fun.

 

[RepoMan207]

Re: Babies on boats...

FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE CONSIDERING TAKING AN INFANT OR CHILD ON-BOARD PLEASE READ>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I belong to Boat US and discovered that they run a INFANT & CHILD PFD LOANER PROGRAM across the country for members and non members. If you are ever in need of having a Child's or Infant PFD for a day, a week, even an entire vacation. Don't jeopardize your little ones safety with a bigger PFD! I purchased 3 new ones this year at the tune of $345 before learning of this program. If anyone ever finds themselves in need of one in the Maine area, email me.


Check out there site.

http://www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/


It's not easy with an infant sometimes. I have a 12 year old son, a 11 year old daughter, and a now 1 year old son. The first time we took our newborn out he was 8 months at the time. We started out with him in a infant PFD sitting in his infant seat. NOT BUCKLED. After the first time out I got thinking....God forbid if anything were to happen, he would simply sink if he were ever thrown from the boat and landed still in his seat . Ever since then he too has sat in my wifes lap. Here is a pic of our second trip out....He absolutely loves it. He holds mommy tight while getting up on plane sometimes, but nothing but smiles. The other two are great deck hands. They have learned alot this summer and make it all that much easier to go out with the whole family.

 

[wilkboater]

Re: Babies on boats...

Ben is 19 months now, and has been going out with us since 15 months. Always wears a PFD, and momma always holds him while we're moving. He hates the PFD(maybe because of how it looks), but it's not optional. I can't imagine leaving him at home.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Babies on boats...

Don't forget about launching, boarding and retrieving. Keep the kids in PFD's until they are well onto shore. Avoid having kids in carseats (or anybody really!) in the tow vehicle while on the ramp also...big risk if something happens and the rig heads down the ramp. Also keep the windows down, things like this can make a difference in an emergency.

Absolutely, Part of the staging process. Daddy's getting the plug in and the straps off .....Dalton's putting his life jacket on......then he can go play in the grass, or throw rocks in the water. As long as we can see him and he's NOT near the line of vehicles staging or the ramp.
The jacket stays on until we're securing the boat in the tie-down area.