Infants and Boats?

[hostage]

So my new and only wife (it is weird typing that) were talking about the boat and kids. She doesn't feel comfortable having an infant on the boat, we own a 19ft Cuddy. When/if we do have kids has anyone else ran into this issue before? Do you allow babies on board? Are there life jackets that small or do people put them in large hamster ball or something?

I am wondering if I should sell the boat and take a couple years off when we do have kids or try to talk her into it. It would be cheaper than storing it.

-Hostage

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Infants and Boats?

My boat came with close to 30 PFD's. I gave away every one that was smaller than an adult size to avoid that situation.

That's a responsibility I wouldn't want to have to shoulder in the event of an emergency.

If someone has a kid thats old enough to comprehend directions if they ended up in the water, and the kids owner keeps them in a PFD (and preferably tethered to them), then I'll let kids on my boat for short afternoons.

Totally different world though. I'm terrified of the idea of some rugrat running around with my DNA. Your results may vary.

 

[barrynfla]

Re: Infants and Boats?

That's a responsibility I wouldn't want to have to shoulder in the event of an emergency.

My daughters are grown but I feel the same as s_f. A little too much at stake for my taste. YMMV.

 

[joelybob]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I agree with s-f and barrynfla

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Infants and Boats?

.....and the kids owner ......

Really?

I'm terrified of the idea of some rugrat running around with my DNA. Your results may vary.

Thank you for that.

 

[jkust]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Yes I agree with infants on board. I started boating when I was three months and have been boating ever since. My kids started boating when they were 2 months and 6 months. We went with the hamster ball.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Infants and Boats?

Hostage. Good name.

First, get busy making babies on the boat so they will be used to it. That's what cuddy's are for.

"Taking babies on boats" is like "taking babies camping" or "on car trips" or "airplanes" or "to sporting events." They are a lot of work and change the way you do things--but they don't have to end everything. You will still go to the movies. Some people enjoy doing the extra work with the babies; others hate it. Guess it depends if you are the kind that ends your life once you are a parent, or modifies it.

Main things are (1) keep mama happy (meaning relaxed and comfortable) and (2) have a quick exit strategy when junior sets off the alarm. At a restaurant, you sit near the door. In a boat, you stay a short run back to the car. If you take an infant and mother 2 hours out and the infant has a melt-down, you will be taking up golf. At a course close to home.

For those of us who grew up on the water, and raised our children on the water, it's not a question and it's not a worry (not that you don't do things safely; you just don't freak out--like you use car seats but you still go in the car).

There are lots of specific tips and tricks but since you don't ahve children yet no reason to go into them. Don't cross the bridge before you come to it, or you will have to pay toll twice.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Infants and Boats?

My child who was born May 15, 2013 has been on the boat twice. They sell infant life jackets, I have one. My situation is different, but I don't think it is terrible dangerous, but I'm sure others won't agree. I can't wait until he's older and can start to enjoy the boat!

 

[airshot]

Re: Infants and Boats?

All my children and my grandchildren have been on boats since infancy, yes they do make infant life jackets and should something happen it keeps them afloat with their little head out of the water. We had a small playpen with a sun cover and they were quite comfortable. As others have posted we kept the trips shorter and planned ahead, same as we would for car trips etc.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Infants and Boats?

If someone has a kid thats old enough to comprehend directions if they ended up in the water, and the kids owner keeps them in a PFD (and preferably tethered to them), then I'll let kids on my boat for short afternoons.

Do you also check to see if they are up on their rabies shots too? Wouldn't want them to go mad, and rip up the upholstery if their "owners" happened to let them off the leash.... :facepalm:

 

[rallyart]

Re: Infants and Boats?

My kids don't remember being on the boat when they were tiny but I sure do. They tend to sleep most of the time if the boat is running.
You can find some 'sling' type lifejackets for infants. WalMart sells one but there are others. If you don't have one they do not fall out of then don't bring them. If you do then what we found effective was to put them in a car seat as a comfortable rest where they can sleep and see Mom. Do not buckle them in. It's just a seat. Be very careful of the sun and bugs. The heat of being on the water in summer when you are bundled up is something you need to pay attention to.
Like anything else with an infant or small child, be sensible but let them be part of your life.

 

[scubacuda]

Re: Infants and Boats?

my kids were raised on a boat i take my granddaughter out and i think its how you feel ,its all about the operator and how safe you think you are . remember keep them cool and hydrated .(safety first safety last )

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Really?



Thank you for that.

Do you also check to see if they are up on their rabies shots too? Wouldn't want them to go mad, and rip up the upholstery if their "owners" happened to let them off the leash.... :facepalm:

So, you guys gettin the picture about how much I care to be around offspring? ha.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Infants and Boats?

i'm on the fence myself, presently I have a "no child policy" my kids are adults now, grandchildren would likely change this, but nether is even married yet so I may be ok for a while:facepalm: I would have no issues with grandbabies on the boat. shade, sunscreen and be prepared to call it a day at any time

 

[LnCoyote]

Re: Infants and Boats?

It is mostly a personal preference whether or not you want to take your little one on the boat with you. Mostly it is up to momma and whether or not you can make her and the baby feel comfortable. Our little one is now 16mos. and momma has agreed to let her come out 2 or 3 times. They do make life vests for infants, so don't worry about that. We are on the first size of life vest and she will out grow it when she reaches 26 pounds.

The photos that I attached are from this past Saturday. Putting the boat in the water went smoothly. As soon as I got the boat on plane, baby girl went into a crying episode and when baby is not happy, momma is not happy. I tried to argue that she is not going to get used to it unless we expose her to it a little bit. I lost that argument quickly. In these photos we are parked at a friends dock. The law here in GA. allows for the life vests to be off when the boat is anchored, docked, or stationary. This seemed to calm our little one also and thankfully she started to actually enjoy time on the boat.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will have many more happy times on the boat.

My opinion...don't give up the boat!

Good Luck.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Infants and Boats?

My daughter was on my old 15' Starcraft at 6 months old. She probably would've been on it even younger, but I was in Afghanistan. The noise of the old Merc 800 used to put her right to sleep for some reason

Shes 3 now and going out on our new boat is about her favorite thing in the world.

And kids can grow on you; in both the figurative and literal sense

 

[southkogs]

Re: Infants and Boats?

The question of taking kids on a boat and taking an infant on a boat are really two different questions.

I've been boating since before I can remember (and have a few pictures to prove it) and my kids have been around/on boats all their lives too. I love going out on the boat with them and always have. I'll take the inconveniences that come along (and there are some) for the payoff.

Infants are a little different. There's safety gear enough for them, but there's a personal comfort level involved as well ... and it's pretty subjective. We never took the kids out as infants. They were all over 1 before they made it out on the water. I was confident, but there was always this nagging worry that even if the PFD worked they wouldn't be able to support their head well enough.

Have kids ... lots of 'em if you ask me ... and get 'em boating young. You can decide exactly how young though.

 

[beanz2166]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I took a buddy and his wife out this year and they have a 4 week old. 5 hours no issues at all. Baby woke up once took a bottle and went back to sleep. My buddy has since bought his own boat and now takes his infant out every weekend.

 

[jbach]

Re: Infants and Boats?

our 14 month old will easily be skiing on his inflatable ski trainer by the end of the summer. he loves to sit in dad's lap and pretend to drive. he's already been through two infant swim classes. life doesn't have to stop with kids. they become part of your lifestyle. we have friends that we haven't seen leave the house since they've had kids, how miserable.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Our kids were out in the boat after they were able to hold their heads steady.