kids and boating

[tjhalliday]

What are some of the rules that you start with when teaching your kids about boating? We don't want to overwhelm them but want to make sure that we emphasize the important stuff and make them aware how important safety is? What do you all start with?
TJ

 

[12vMan]

Re: kids and boating

Probably the most important thing is teaching by example. If they're still real young, they will only know what you have taught by doing.
When they're ready to drive the boat, take a safety course with them. That will make it more fun and interesting and I guarantee you'll both learn something together.

 

[royal0014]

Re: kids and boating

Yep, lead by example. If your state has a minimum age requirement for the wearing of PFD's, wear yours also. And, if by chance you see someone do a SHT, point it out as a 'what not to do'


<<)))(((>>

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: kids and boating

With children, it's not what's taught but what's caught. They watch and learn from your every example. Beware.

don't let them get the impression that a beer is part of every trip. Demonstrate moderation and "the right time and place."

Wear your PFD

Teach them mechanics--how to trouble shoot, how to work around. Let them fail and then guide them back.

Give them lots of experience driving, docking, etc. I often randomly toss a life cushion overboard and make them go back and get it. Don't yell and them when they come into the dock too fast and bump. It's all part of learning. You did it.

They need to know how to start, stop and drive, in case you fall out.

Teach them how to read the water and when they aren't that good at it, the art of the shove pole and paddle.

The hardest part is the chore aspect. If you are a tyrant about prep and clean-up, they will hate boating, and you. Have them wrok along with you, look for easy or fun tasks for them, and give them a break when they get tired. Don't be afraid to do the work for them if they are exhausted at the end of the day. The goal is to get them invested in boating, as boaters, not deckhands or passengers.


Children get bored riding around. Remember, for a child, a "time to relax" is a punishment (I wish someone would put me in time out). Let them have their drinks and snacks, whenever, whereever, and don't go crazy when they make a mess--kindly help them clean it up. If you can't tolerate children's snack mess on your boat, then just go boating by yourself in your perfect boat alone you mean old man.

 

[rallyart]

Re: kids and boating

Two things kids have to do.
Listen. That's harder for some than others but putting them back on the dock if they don't really helps. It's sometimes harder if you bring non boating parents along with their kids.
Wear there PFD. On the boat, on the dock.

 

[JoLin]

Re: kids and boating

With children, it's not what's taught but what's caught. They watch and learn from your every example. Beware.

don't let them get the impression that a beer is part of every trip. Demonstrate moderation and "the right time and place."

Wear your PFD

Teach them mechanics--how to trouble shoot, how to work around. Let them fail and then guide them back.

Give them lots of experience driving, docking, etc. I often randomly toss a life cushion overboard and make them go back and get it. Don't yell and them when they come into the dock too fast and bump. It's all part of learning. You did it.

They need to know how to start, stop and drive, in case you fall out.

Teach them how to read the water and when they aren't that good at it, the art of the shove pole and paddle.

The hardest part is the chore aspect. If you are a tyrant about prep and clean-up, they will hate boating, and you. Have them wrok along with you, look for easy or fun tasks for them, and give them a break when they get tired. Don't be afraid to do the work for them if they are exhausted at the end of the day. The goal is to get them invested in boating, as boaters, not deckhands or passengers.


Children get bored riding around. Remember, for a child, a "time to relax" is a punishment (I wish someone would put me in time out). Let them have their drinks and snacks, whenever, whereever, and don't go crazy when they make a mess--kindly help them clean it up. If you can't tolerate children's snack mess on your boat, then just go boating by yourself in your perfect boat alone you mean old man.

I'm impressed. Interested in adopting me?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: kids and boating

Teach them where the PFD's are and how to put it on (not just wearing it, but making sure it's on properly).

Teach them how to go to 16 on the VHF and how to hail for assistance. Write it on a "cheat sheet" is necessary. The life they save just may be yours.

Teach them how to tie off a cleat. Mine learned at 5 or so and is actually pretty good at it.

TEACH THEM HOW TO FISH!!!!

Even when they're young, let them sit on your lap and drive the boat at a slower speed. It really gets them involved and they learn to love it.

Don't yell at them or they'll never want to go out again.

 

[cr2k]

Re: kids and boating

In addition to all that great stuff already mentioned...

Some basic stuff, like how to check the oil, turn on the blower (and don't get mad when they remind you to do it). When and how to turn on the bilge pump.
How the safety lanyard works. Best places to board or leave the boat and how to do so safely.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: kids and boating

an important one I forgot: when you approach the dock, make them sit with their hands in their laps. Then they can't fall overboard, get in your way, or get mashed at the pier. Make them stay seated until you tell them individually by name who can get up. Give them lots of warning of this drill; it won't work if you first try it 15' from shore. It's also important if there is an emergency. Make the novice adults do it, too; they are often the worse at the docks.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: kids and boating

Home Cookin' you hit everything I was thinking bang on.

What I have to remember (and am reminded by my folks) is that riding around can be boring for a kid sometimes.

Either that, or my wife has some explaining to do, cuz he can't be mine!

 

[Gromulin]

Re: kids and boating

All good advice. I've got a 7 and 8 y/o. Make sure they understand that a propeller is just a rotating knife (without scaring them...) if they are young, and that the back of the boat needs to be respected, both because of the prop and the exaust. Needless to say..no one comes in or out of the water with the motor running.

And well fitting, COMFORTABLE, PFD's. ALWAYS. Spend the extra few bucks to get the right type. If they are the the one's THEY want to wear, and they will wear them without complaint. Let them pick out the color etc...especially if you've got girls.

One thing I didn't expect, but has been really fun with the kids, is (re)learning and showing them how to tie basic knots and work with ropes. It gives them something they can brag to their friends about when they can tie a bowline.

 

[TonyScott]

Re: kids and boating

With my kids, the first and foremost phrase, they'd often hear from us is "be careful". Next, we always tell them to listen, no questions asked. And of course, aside from the verbal reminders, we always ensure that we bring safety gear with us. I do believe that if kids would come to get used to bringing these gears every time they go out boating, they will definitely live with it for the rest of their lives. These safety precautions would be caught at an early age and will definitely guide them for life.

 

[louiefl]

Re: kids and boating

Rule #1: One hand for the boat. Kids need to realize that they are not in their living room and things can happen unexpectedly underway. Channel 16 on the VHF would be next in addition to how to hail for help. PFDs goes without saying - I'm amazed at the number of boats that head offshore with kids where no one wears them. Good advice about not making set up and cleanup a chore - maybe I should back off on my kids a little...

 

[spdracr39]

Re: kids and boating

I saw a 27' pontoon full of folks last weekend trying to dock at the ramp. There was a 10 year old boy driving the boat. I thought to my self "what a bunch of dumb+++++ letting him drive by the dock". But you know what ? He did an awesome job! Much better than most of the adults I see out there. I think it is a great idea to teach them how to operate the boat. You never know when they will have to do it in an emergency.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: kids and boating

If they have a PFD ensure that it has a crotch strap and you use it, especially if water skiing or other type water sport. Along the boredom lines, most kids have close friends, so make room for their friends to come along too.

Agree with all the good advice. Good place to raise kids, the water. We certainly enjoyed raising our 4. Many enjoyable memories.

Mark

 

[Davem3]

Re: kids and boating

Probably the most important thing is teaching by example. If they're still real young, they will only know what you have taught by doing.
When they're ready to drive the boat, take a safety course with them. That will make it more fun and interesting and I guarantee you'll both learn something together.

best 16 hours me and the boys spent was in class, now i feel comfortable with them being suddenly in command, or captain .....

 

[H20Rat]

Re: kids and boating

so nobody mentioned make sure they can swim? Yes, pfd's are good, but you won't learn to swim with them on. At some point, somewhere in the kids life, he is going to end up overboard without a PFD on. Either doing something stupid and falling, or peer pressure of jumping over, or just kids being kids. A kid that can swim like a fish is far better than one that is afraid of going anywhere close to the water without a PFD.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: kids and boating

With children, it's not what's taught but what's caught. They watch and learn from your every example. Beware.

don't let them get the impression that a beer is part of every trip. Demonstrate moderation and "the right time and place."

Wear your PFD

Teach them mechanics--how to trouble shoot, how to work around. Let them fail and then guide them back.

Give them lots of experience driving, docking, etc. I often randomly toss a life cushion overboard and make them go back and get it. Don't yell and them when they come into the dock too fast and bump. It's all part of learning. You did it.

They need to know how to start, stop and drive, in case you fall out.

Teach them how to read the water and when they aren't that good at it, the art of the shove pole and paddle.

The hardest part is the chore aspect. If you are a tyrant about prep and clean-up, they will hate boating, and you. Have them wrok along with you, look for easy or fun tasks for them, and give them a break when they get tired. Don't be afraid to do the work for them if they are exhausted at the end of the day. The goal is to get them invested in boating, as boaters, not deckhands or passengers.


Children get bored riding around. Remember, for a child, a "time to relax" is a punishment (I wish someone would put me in time out). Let them have their drinks and snacks, whenever, whereever, and don't go crazy when they make a mess--kindly help them clean it up. If you can't tolerate children's snack mess on your boat, then just go boating by yourself in your perfect boat alone you mean old man.

Very well said, this is good advice.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: kids and boating

+1. Keeping their attention can be the hardest part of all, and bad things can happen very fast in and around the water in particular. Per the previous posts, we have to lead by example. Kids do what you do, not what you say. If you want them to wear a PFD all the time, so do you, etc... I also think it helps to get them involved in as many aspects of a day on the water as possible. I just took my little 6 yr. old nephew out yesterday and had a great time. He even got to steer the boat a bit, but we do lots of work before and after each trip to check that everything is ship shape. We have a routine that we go through the same way each and every time we load, or launch the boat. I've also taught him some very basic boat safety techniques. He knows the best way to board and disembark and how to hit the kill switch/pull the lanyard stop the motor if need be. I'm also teaching him to swim as well as possible in both fresh and salt water, deep and shallow, flowing and still. Heaven forbid something bad happen to us while underway. He needs to be as comfortable IN the water as he is on it. It seems obvious, but you'd be amazed how many people go out on the water and are poor swimmers.?.? I think it should practically be a law here in FL, where you can't walk 2 ft. without hitting water of some sort :/ I also try to show him all the different aspects of water as well. Rivers have currents, ox bows and sand bars. Oceans have waves, wind and tides all of which can be deceptively strong and must be respected. I also teach him to recognize, respect and name all of the animals we come across in a day. Yesterday alone we saw 2 stingrays, 9-10 manatees, a million fiddler crabs (literally), a stone crab, a blue crab, an alligator and dozen different types of birds and fish. With each trip he is able to name and remember more and more. I hope that by getting him involved in the entire process he'll enjoy it on as many levels as possible (mental, physical, recreational). I know some of my first and fondest memories in life are of time spent on the water. I can only hope that I can do the same for him. Boat safe. Boat smart. Boat fun.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: kids and boating

The most effective way to teach... "Do as I do"... Your children will watch, intently, your every move. They will have a very good impression of what you're going through at every moment because they watch your facial expressions and body language. Be aware of every action and reaction. You're teaching your children every momement of every day with every move you make, every action, and every inaction.