Infants and Boats?

[hostage]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Thanks for the input, I think it will come down to the Mrs. I think I should have named the title of this topic "Baby on Board?"

 

[aspeck]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I was born in September and on the boat in May ... would have been earlier if the weather cooperated. I am told the boat was the best way to get me to sleep. Sometimes they would just sit in the boat and let the waves rock me, other times they would make the waves . I am told once the motor started, I was out. I was water skiing at 5 years old.

If you and momma are comfortable with boating and the water, so will the little tike. Just make sure there is plenty of sun screen. I mean, what would you do if you had to make a long trip in the car? Take plenty of toys and things to keep the child occupied. Same with a boat. Use common sense and all will be fine. My daughter was on the water at a very young age ...

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Infants and Boats?

If you will be sharing duties of minding that little critter, I'm guessing she'll be more open to the idea. If it's all her, you have just sucked a lot of the joy out of boating for her, and as we all know, if the Admiral ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Infants and Boats?

Which is why I often say the guys on here who don't let/teach/encourage their wives/GF to operate the boat, all aspects, are really screwing up.

I also second the comments that infants and young children are two different animals. We seldom took them as infants but always as children. My parents probably did the same.

 

[ashleygoodin]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Our first son was born in late June and on the boat by the first of September. We are getting ready to take our 8-week old second son out for his first time this weekend. I agree that safety is paramount, don't plan for more than a short trip and be pleasantly surprised when it goes more than three or four hours at first, and be sure to take all of the baby stuff and lots of sunscreen with you. We got our first son out and in the water of the lake at three months in his swim diaper and life jacket - he is a water baby to this day and is almost two! It is a family decision of ours. Our lives changed but our lifestyle was only modified to include our kids. The same friends that we used to hang out on the lake with all day long with a big cooler of beer and beverages are now parents too, and guess what - their kids are welcome on our boat. We may have more Capri Sun than beer on the boat these days but we still have lots of fun. Look at the odds, if you boat responsibly then your risk of harm, drowning, or accidents is probably much less than on the car ride to the lake. To each their own, but I can't imagine giving up boating and depriving my kids of growing up on the water.

 

[briangcc]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Biggest issue is that if they're too young, you can't put sunblock on them. Everything else can be overcome. Just be prepared for short trips and have play toys available for the kiddo should the need arise. Although, if you go just above idle, it will put them to sleep in no time flat - or at least it did with (5) of my cousin's kids. I was their "We need a boat ride now for our own sanity!!" savior.

Put the infant in a life jacket and you're golden. I really don't see what all the muss is about...kids by nature are messy. Deal.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Infants and Boats?

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

I consider kids on my boat much the same as telephones and tax accountants on my boat. I boat to get away from them. I'm willing to run one out but they need to find their own way back. And while I have doggy life jackets and adult life jackets, I have no kiddy life jackets on board. Take that as a clue.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Infants and Boats?

my little one was on the lake at 2 weeks old. He did ride on the pontoon not the trihull. As a matter of fact I got a bigger family and the only next logical step I had to take was to get a larger boat.

 

[fishmasterinvt]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I have a boat for fishing and an infant can't fish, so guess who would spend time with a sitter. The "right" age? Up to the parents. They're the ones that have to live with their decision should something go wrong. If the boat is big enough for passenger comfort, why not?

 

[sailingseven]

Re: Infants and Boats?

As a father of 6, I would have to say that would be something that you and your wife really need to decide together. My wife and I both enjoy our boat and sailing. We have had our children on board within the 1st 6 months each time, but that was something we both wanted. We both work as a team to teach them about safety and how everything works. It truly is a family affair for us.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Infant life jacket is for sure a requirement. Our first son was on the boat at 8 months. It would have been sooner but that was in March. Our second son was on the boat at 7 months. Again, it would have been sooner if weather had allowed. They mostly sleep on the boat when it's moving. The last time we were out my brother's family came along. I had my 2 boys, ages 2.5 and 7 months as well as my niece who just turned 3. We all had a great time.

 

[zimm17]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I grew up on boats. I think it's one of the best family activites you can do. We just took our 7 month out for his first 2 hour boat ride. He crawled around the cabin the whole time. Our 2.5 year old loves it. Notice the dirty diaper in second pic- note to self, bring trashbags....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Infants and Boats?

interesting how the opinions swang from "no way too dangerous" to experienced boaters saying it's typical to have them aboard, no big deal.

 

[hostage]

Re: Infants and Boats?

I guess my cuddy will have an advantage in NY as a not-to-hot out of the sun safe place for a kid to hang out.

 

[the big cheese]

Re: Infants and Boats?

They sell infant lifejackets and you will definitely want to purchase them. My buddy is in the Coast Guard and he says if they find someone without lifejackets for children they will fine you to the fullest extent.

 

[zimm17]

Re: Infants and Boats?

They sell infant lifejackets and you will definitely want to purchase them. My buddy is in the Coast Guard and he says if they find someone without lifejackets for children they will fine you to the fullest extent.

Agree on that. Under 13 and they have to have a jacket on while "on deck". In the cabin it's not required. That really helps with a little ones to take a nap. Seems most of the "haters" don't have small children of their own or just fish. I boat as a family activity. Granted not as much as I'd like to, but I go when I can.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Infants and Boats?

They sell infant lifejackets and you will definitely want to purchase them. My buddy is in the Coast Guard and he says if they find someone without lifejackets for children they will fine you to the fullest extent.

not just FOR the children; it's ON the children (larger boats may be excepted I don't know)

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Put the infant in a life jacket and you're golden. I really don't see what all the muss is about...kids by nature are messy. Deal.

I agree - its a boat, there is water - there, there, there and there just in case you have to wash something up

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Infants and Boats?

See, you start them early...

And they will grow to love it! (my daughter earning her "captain's license" as she pilots the Alexandria Belle on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 islands.)

At the helm of our Stingray during it's first weekend in the water

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Infants and Boats?

Tested out the PFD before the first trip >>>

He's 7 now and loves boating.