Boating with Kids

With a little planning, this can be the best time you ever have on the water.

By Jeanne M. Craig

After our first child was born and joined our crew, my husband started quoting author Robert Benchley, who said, “There are two classes of travel—first-class and with children.” Yes, the leisurely cruising routine we had known as a couple changed drastically, but over time, we learned that boating with a little one isn’t as challenging as some people will have you believe. By the time our second child came along, we’d learned how to keep them both safe and entertained. To get to that place, we took advice from friends with kids or grandkids who have traveled many nautical miles with sippy cups and water toys onboard. Here’s what they taught us.

Safety First

Keeping children safe on a boat is a big job, and it’s the most important one. The best thing you can do is to keep them in their lifejackets. In most states, PFDs are mandatory by law for children 12 and under, so never think of them as optional equipment.
Your child’s life jacket should fit snugly, but not bind. Infant PFDs should have a collar that will turn the baby face-up in the water. Strong, durable straps and clasps are important, and don’t forget to attach a plastic whistle. Encouraging young ones to keep their PFD on in hot weather can test your patience, but stay firm; tell them it’s essential gear like a ski or riding helmet. To get a child really invested in the life jacket, take him or her shopping and let the child help pick it out.
Teens are another story. They don’t have to wear a PFD at all times, but it’s still a good idea. According to BoatUS, the Coast Guard is exploring the idea of certifying inflatable PFDs for kids under the age of 16. This type of device, which inflates automatically when it hits the water, is more lightweight and comfortable than a conventional PFD. Of course, it doesn’t work for watersports!
Before you leave the dock, call a family meeting to set safety rules. Kids know there are rules at home, and the boat is not an exception. Tell them to keep their hands and feet inside the boat, and that running around on deck is a no-no. Designate the foredeck as an off-limits zone when the boat is running, and show them the location of the grabrails in the cockpit and below.
These rules will only get you so far, though. Most parents learn early on that there’s childproofing to be done to their boat. Before casting off our lines, we stow everything that’s breakable or dangerous. Winches, windlasses, ropes, and ground tackle are all firmly secured. We also keep EPIRBS and flares out of the children’s reach.

Entertaining the Troops

Safety is the priority, but boating should be fun, too. If the kids don’t have a squeal-inducing good time, they may not want to share this hobby with you when they get older. So, to ensure your teenager will choose a day of boating over a day on the couch with video games, engage  him early on.
“When I’m alone, I stay on the boat for hours in any kind of weather, but I can’t do that with my kids,” says Chris Edmonston, president of the BoatUS Foundation and father of five. “I plan shorter trips, and I break up the day. We’ll do a 30-minute run, then fish for a while. We’ll stop for lunch, then throw the hook down to swim.” Chris plans the day in advance for maximum enjoyment for all. “I share my plan with the kids before we leave the dock so they know what to expect. For children, anticipation is part of the fun.”
With that in mind, parents should try to involve children in the cruising plans. Ours tell us marinas with pools make the best stopovers. En route, challenge them to dream up boat games. They can make a contest out of who can spot the most fish, the coolest bird, or the weirdest boat name.
One of the best ways to engage your young crew is to assign each child responsibilities. Let the young ones help with the pre-departure checklist while the older ones stow supplies. The teens can tend lines or help drive. If you give them jobs, they’ll take pride in their role as a crew member.
Even the best-laid plans can fail, though, especially when the weather turns gray. So when Junior starts to get antsy, have a few boredom-busters handy. Secretly pack a stash of comic books or puzzles you can break out in an emergency. Snacks are a great diversion, particularly special treats that the kids don’t get at home. Keep the fluids coming, too, and while the kids are noshing, break out the sunblock. This may sound like common sense, but some parents underestimate the dangers of dehydration and overexposure to the sun when cruising with kids.

The Big Picture

Once you have the safety parameters set and entertainment planned, let yourself see the big picture. If family bonding is the goal of your day on the water, don’t forget to take time to simply sit back and enjoy each other’s company. In those laid-back moments, your hard work will be rewarded by the hugs, kisses, laughter, and smiles that make family time the best time of all.