Been shopping around for a decent life vest and tether arrangement for my 2 year old granddaughter and haven't seen anything off the shelf that integrates the two. Seems like this would be a no brainer. Anyone know of any product that might accomplish both tasks, or are we just looking at somehow rigging a tether to a standard child's life vest?? Thanks, Jim
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Rick Webb
Not So Sure it is a Good Idea
If the boat goes down so does the kid. The kid will float around long enough to retrieve with a vest on. Some days it is tempting to strap them in a harness and hoist them up with a halyard and leave them there for a while.
If the boat goes down so does the kid. The kid will float around long enough to retrieve with a vest on. Some days it is tempting to strap them in a harness and hoist them up with a halyard and leave them there for a while.
T
Tony
Couldn't Find One Either
We also shopped around, but found only dedicated harnesses and tethers, no combination with a vest. Our youngest is 18 months. We have him in a life vest, and use a 6-foot tether with a quick release shackle hooked to his vest when in the cockpit. We sail on inland lakes (fairly calm) and it works fine. If there is ever a problem, we can free him with the quick release in seconds.
We also shopped around, but found only dedicated harnesses and tethers, no combination with a vest. Our youngest is 18 months. We have him in a life vest, and use a 6-foot tether with a quick release shackle hooked to his vest when in the cockpit. We sail on inland lakes (fairly calm) and it works fine. If there is ever a problem, we can free him with the quick release in seconds.
H
Harry Greenspun
Combined hybrid PFD with tether
We use a Sospenders hybrid inflatable PFD along with a tether for our 2 year old. The tether can clip to the waist strap and crotch strap. I tied a loop of webbing around the base of the pedestal for the other end of the tether. That way he can walk completely around without getting tangled. The hybrid is nice since it isn't so bulky or hot, so he doesn't object to putting it on. We keep it in the car, so he puts it on as soon as we arrive at the marina. No complaints. Harry Bethesda, MD Hunter 456 - "Czech Mate" harry@greenspun.com
We use a Sospenders hybrid inflatable PFD along with a tether for our 2 year old. The tether can clip to the waist strap and crotch strap. I tied a loop of webbing around the base of the pedestal for the other end of the tether. That way he can walk completely around without getting tangled. The hybrid is nice since it isn't so bulky or hot, so he doesn't object to putting it on. We keep it in the car, so he puts it on as soon as we arrive at the marina. No complaints. Harry Bethesda, MD Hunter 456 - "Czech Mate" harry@greenspun.com
A
Alan O'Neill
Tether and Kids PFD
We have twin boys(3 1/2 years) and a 1 year old that we bring on our boat. When they're in the cabin, the twins generally take their life vests off, but when they in the cockpit they have the PFD's on and a 6' tether attached to the lifeline at one end and to the stap behind their back at the other end. Last year the baby laid in the cabin. this year he could be a challenge because he's walking along things and didn't like staying in the cabin while the boat was on shore. We just got a Hunter 260 this year, so the open transom is of concern. We're going to try running some netting across as a barrier, but the primary safety measure will be to make sure the tethers are attached forward enough that the boys can't get to the transom. We're also going to keep close watch on the 1 year old to make sure he doesn't fall over the side, even with the tether. Our primary goal is keeping the boys on and attached to the boat and keep our eyes on them at all times. When I initially looked into this issue 2 years ago, I did come across some varied opinions about bringing kids on a boat, and our day care provider even commented on our practice of bringing our boys on board in their anchor car seats. Statistically speaking, I suspect they are safer in the boat than they are in a car.
We have twin boys(3 1/2 years) and a 1 year old that we bring on our boat. When they're in the cabin, the twins generally take their life vests off, but when they in the cockpit they have the PFD's on and a 6' tether attached to the lifeline at one end and to the stap behind their back at the other end. Last year the baby laid in the cabin. this year he could be a challenge because he's walking along things and didn't like staying in the cabin while the boat was on shore. We just got a Hunter 260 this year, so the open transom is of concern. We're going to try running some netting across as a barrier, but the primary safety measure will be to make sure the tethers are attached forward enough that the boys can't get to the transom. We're also going to keep close watch on the 1 year old to make sure he doesn't fall over the side, even with the tether. Our primary goal is keeping the boys on and attached to the boat and keep our eyes on them at all times. When I initially looked into this issue 2 years ago, I did come across some varied opinions about bringing kids on a boat, and our day care provider even commented on our practice of bringing our boys on board in their anchor car seats. Statistically speaking, I suspect they are safer in the boat than they are in a car.
P
Paul
Harness
Our two girls were on the boat from the day they were born. During the toddling years, we had light webbing kids' harnesses from JimBuoy, and a 6 or 8 foot tether we clipped to lifeline or handrail. See the link. The harnesses being so light, they didn't mind them at all. We had life jackets, too, and those could slip on over the harness if the need arose, but 99% of the time, harness-only was plenty. I'll add that 16 and 19 years later, they're both sailin' fools. Guess it worked.
Our two girls were on the boat from the day they were born. During the toddling years, we had light webbing kids' harnesses from JimBuoy, and a 6 or 8 foot tether we clipped to lifeline or handrail. See the link. The harnesses being so light, they didn't mind them at all. We had life jackets, too, and those could slip on over the harness if the need arose, but 99% of the time, harness-only was plenty. I'll add that 16 and 19 years later, they're both sailin' fools. Guess it worked.
T
Todd Osborne
We used both - seperately
Our three year old started on the boat @ 2 & 1/2 weeks. First car seat, then when mobile, a harness (no life jacket) until about 2. It seems that this is the age where going in the water shouldn't be an option, aka tethered so that they can't physically go over. The life jackets at that age really impede their ability to move about which my son disliked. We also walked the dock with tether-(ed child))in hand. We felt funny like walking our child like a dog, but could pull him out of any trouble he might lurch into. Now that he's three we give him a choice, he prefers the life jacket I guess it's cause he has more freedom without the tether. Swim lessons next.
Our three year old started on the boat @ 2 & 1/2 weeks. First car seat, then when mobile, a harness (no life jacket) until about 2. It seems that this is the age where going in the water shouldn't be an option, aka tethered so that they can't physically go over. The life jackets at that age really impede their ability to move about which my son disliked. We also walked the dock with tether-(ed child))in hand. We felt funny like walking our child like a dog, but could pull him out of any trouble he might lurch into. Now that he's three we give him a choice, he prefers the life jacket I guess it's cause he has more freedom without the tether. Swim lessons next.
Another vote for the SOSpenders hybrid inflatable
Got one for my 7 yo nephew last year in an attempt to quell his incessant whining about having to have on a jacket when he's on the boat. Worked out great, now he thinks it's kewl to have on the same kind of jacket as his Uncle Jeff. It's a lot less bulky than a regular PFD and therefore not as hot to wear in the summer. When I got it for him, (on sale at BassPro) I also got a recharge kit for it, which was promptly put to use as he just had to 'try' his new jacket. He's a really good swimmer, so I had no problem with letting him jump off the dock and prove to himself that it WOULD inflate and hold him up. Now he's buggin' me to get him a flarepen to go with it!
Got one for my 7 yo nephew last year in an attempt to quell his incessant whining about having to have on a jacket when he's on the boat. Worked out great, now he thinks it's kewl to have on the same kind of jacket as his Uncle Jeff. It's a lot less bulky than a regular PFD and therefore not as hot to wear in the summer. When I got it for him, (on sale at BassPro) I also got a recharge kit for it, which was promptly put to use as he just had to 'try' his new jacket. He's a really good swimmer, so I had no problem with letting him jump off the dock and prove to himself that it WOULD inflate and hold him up. Now he's buggin' me to get him a flarepen to go with it!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.