Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

[Admin5]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

Thanks for all the great insight! Just to clarify the trip, we will NOT be on a houseboat but be using a 24 ft Crownline cuddy. This is also not going to be a little boat ride but 2-3 days "at the lake". Because this will be a holliday weekend, we will probably only boat at sun up and sun down when the water is the best. The rest of the time will be probably on the beach in 108 degree heat. I probably should have included these details at first. I have no qualms about taking my kids on a few hour boat ride. This is different, right? Thanks again for the comments and great advice.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

Hey Admin5,<br /><br />Guess there's nothing to keep you back now.. ?<br /><br />With all this advice you are fit to take your family out.<br /><br />On behalf of all I'd like to wish you a very pleasant weekend.<br /><br />I know you'll enjoy it.

 

[mom]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

My daughter, now 25 months, spent last Labor Day weekend and this past Memorial Day weekend at Lake Powell and I was glad I brought her. BUT we had use of a secure houseboat where I could relax and she could get PFD-breaks, but we only allowed it off her at night and for naps. My sister's three kids, now older, grew up w/frequent week-long Lake Powell trips where PFD use had to be 24/7 and it was hard work for their mother but the kids loved it. They DON'T get bored there and they understand the PFD rule very quickly, if you make it clear it's not debatable. And do make it completely undebatable, like seat belt usage in cars. Yes, they can sleep in PFDs just fine. If the kids enjoy the outdoors and boating, they'll gladly pay the price. They're far more flexible and adaptable than we give them credit for. <br /><br />In a 24' cuddy, you might be concerned about naps. The cabin will probably be too hot, but she can sleep in a shaded part of the cockpit, on a wet towel to keep cool. If she's like most kids, you'll just need to cruise around to put her to sleep and keep her there. Usually, planing speed works better than slower. On the PFDs with the big floatation cell behind the head, that part serves kind of nicely as a pillow. <br /><br />I gotta comment on the swimming lessons topic. Drowning is the leading cause of death of children under 2 in my state, as someone mentioned. Also, a child who has had swimming lessons is more likely to drown that one who hasn't, because of the false sense of confidence it gives both the child and parents. Constant supervision and PFD use is all you can do to ensure safety. <br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

my familiy just spent a week at a waterfront<br />cottage with our 4yr old. the PFD we purchased for him was pricy, but worked great keeping<br />him upright in the water... spend the extra $<br />and get a real good one, it's really worth it!<br />heck, he even enjoyed swimming in it

 

[Homerr]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

Just my 2 cents:<br /><br />THe wife and I have been taking our son out since he was 2. Now I can't keep him out of it!<br />Of course, the coast guard has a hard time getting him to show them his ID!!! lol<br /><br />Definatley safety first. Get your kids used to the water environment early on. You'll feel more comfortable about it and so will your kids.<br /><br />H.

 

[Admin5]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

We got to Powell Thursday morning and left Sunday afternoon. Great news! My little girl absolutely loved riding in the boat (even the choppy water on plane didn't make her cry) and riding with mom in a water toy behind the boat. Thanks for all your suggestions.<br /><br />I kept the life jacket on her all the time except when we slept and it made all the difference in the world to both her safety and our sanity. We just stayed strict and didn't let her go without it so she didn't fuss about it because she didn't know otherwise. I am really glad we left our 1 year old at home because watching 2 kids while camping on the beach would have been tooooooo much. Chalk up another happy safe boating family!

 

[Anchor Man]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

If your going to spend a lot of time with children on the water may I suggest looking at this website www.aquaforce.com . My three year old daughter has been boating since she was 11 months old. She loves the water, swimming and the boat. The aquaforce is a USCG approved PFD for children that is actually a swim suit with non removable flotation devices. It zips up the back so that the child cannot remove it. It’s made our boating experience much easier since she is more comfortable in the suit than in a life jacket.

 

[DJ]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

Amin5,<br /><br />IMO, I would take both of them. I never have even considered taking a vacation without them.<br /><br />You just have to keep your attention riveted on them.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Boating and my 2 year old - is she too young?

i'm sure glad everythin' worked out good for ya's.!! it's amazin' what a kid i'll do when the parent lays-down-the-law & sticks to it.. <br /><br />ISN'T LAKE POWELL BEAUTIFUL .??.!!