Infant grandson on board

sesmith · Apr 27, 2014

My 3 kids (now in their 20's) grew up around boats and boating from the time they were too young to do more than crawl. We had power boats back then. A short tether when in the cockpit would give you some peace of mind and some control.

As far as safety, I can tell you the times you take most for granted are the times you have to be most vigilant. I have vivid memories of an accident that could have been tragic. We were headed out to the lake with my parents, who were in town visiting. PFD's were on the boat. We were boarding from a pier, and my Dad (who was getting older) handed my my oldest daughter (about 3 at the time) over to me on the boat. She squirmed and he lost his grip and dropped her. I went in immediately head first between the boat and pier. I will never forget the surreal sight of seeing her sinking like a rock with her hands still outstretched. Luckily, I was able to grab her, no worse for the wear, but I'm afraid I was just real lucky that day.

chrisings · Apr 27, 2014

When our kids were young (a long time ago) we used a car seat for nap time and feeding time until they outgrew that option. Our other rule, which was unbend-able, as they grew older and more mobile, if they were anywhere other than safely below, they MUST have their PFD on. Even walking the pier to the car. The PFDs lived in the car if we weren't on the boat. It helped that this happened to be rule at our marina.

quadrille38 · Apr 27, 2014

Our daughters have been sailors since they were 2 and 3 years old. Rule was always that when you got out of the car the life jacket went on and stayed on until you were down in the cabin. We told them it was the Coast Guards rule and they never knew the difference until they got a lot older

We did spend more to get comfortable life jackets so they were not so miserable to wear. Our youngest had an incident when stepping from dock to friends boat and she went right through the gap. Jacket saved her and the retrieval strap on the back made it easy for her to be pulled out of the water. Thankfully it was a no scrapes event and other than being wet and frightened a bit no harm was done.

When sailing we had a harness for each of us. And the rule was always that you clipped on before leaving the cabin and you stayed clipped on until you went back below. Even mom and dad followed this rule. We just did not want to even consider the possibility of one of us trying to do a retrieval of child or parent overboard in weather while trying to manage the boat and other crew.

We have friends who all sailed with children and now grandchildren. One went so far as to rig a gimbaled cradle for an infant.

Kermit · Apr 27, 2014

+1 on wearing life jackets immediately upon exiting the car. Our grandchildren, including the 12 year old, have done that their entire lives. It's natural to them. They see no shame and are comfortable in them. Just one of the rules while boating.

p.s. And if all else fails, there's always Velcro. ;-)

Rob2435 · Apr 27, 2014

Isn't it a Coast Guard rule that anyone under the age of 13 must have a pfd on at all times, even on the docks?

centerline · Apr 27, 2014

robfmcc said:
Isn't it a Coast Guard rule that anyone under the age of 13 must have a pfd on at all times, even on the docks?

only when they are exposed to the exterior of a moving boat, which means unanchored, underway or drifting... when the kids are below in the cabin, or at anchor, or at the dock the lifejacket rule doesnt apply.

centerline · Apr 27, 2014

dis-patch said:
I would like to have my grandson, he's one now, come visit me and also take the whole family out for short and long voyages. I'm a new Hunter 376 owner. I bought him his first PFD for his 1st b-day. My daughter is concerned about him napping, needing to create a space that's safe and secure. Also we're concerned about him moving about and fidgeting, as infants want to do all the time, and meal time safety too. Anybody have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, web sites to visit, anything that would help get my grandson aboard and provide him safety and security. Oh and don't forget our sanity too.

as a new boat owner, there are safety considerations that can be overlooked, even when looking for all the obvious issues.

some thoughts to keep in mind...

a lot of guests that may come aboard your boat will not be boat people, and some will never have been on a boat before... so even the slightest motion can seem like a lot to them.

dont try to impress anyone with your new found passion for sailing and let the boat heel... it could and probably will scare someone into thinking the children are in danger or that the boat will tip over... too much at the wrong time and anything could happen....

as secure as it seems, even the motion of the boat when down below can be dangerous for someone who is not used to boats.... a lot of unexpected hull movement can lead to an accidental fall or bump. and its very easy to become dislodged from a secure position when the boat is being thrown about in a wave or wake of another boat. little people need to be under constant surveillance..

its better to motor around gently and get the feel for the boat and let the guests feel secure in their adventure. there will always be other days for sailing when everyone's confidence is more securely founded.

kids on a boat can be fun, but it can also be very much otherwise.
the desire you have to take your one year old grandson on your boat is a personal one, but as for the adventure in the wind, waves, spray and sun, it will almost positively be a better experience and more fondly remembered by you that it will the one year old... for him it may be an unnecessary inconvenience and he may begin to develop an impression that "boats arent fun"... make sure that doesnt happen

.....

the only safe way for a baby to nap on a boat is to create a sea berth for him/her in the quarterberth that has both sides enclosed, and with lots of blankets to make a sort of crib.
its got to be enough so the baby wont roll with the boat but will remain secure and stationary with the boat.
the v-berth as a bed is not secure enough in my opinion... only in the respect that its too much space, and the "what if" factor.... "what if" the boat heels unexpectedly and the baby should be thrown across the bed.... the v-berth is just not an acceptable bedding area for a baby.

its always best if you know the boat very well before taking guests away from the dock, as there are a lot of things that will be different and more immediate when away and free on the water that they are when tied up to the dock...

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Apr 28, 2014

robfmcc said:
Isn't it a Coast Guard rule that anyone under the age of 13 must have a pfd on at all times, even on the docks?

If it's a USGC rule, it's news to me. In Texas it IS a a law that children under 12 yrs must wear a PFD aboard and outside the cabin. I'm sure other states have similar laws.

Doesn't apply to docks, But having them on on the docks is definitely a good idea.

IainB · Apr 28, 2014

PFD is a must at all times from the car to the boat. Tether line when above decks. If they are to be left below decks to nap then think about a lee cloth for a quarter berth with plenty of bolstering with blankets. Also above decks protection from the Sun AT ALL TIMES. Babies skin is so much more sensitive to sun and wind burn. Bring the infant seat from the car as well. I know they are frowned upon now but years and years ago when I was an infant they used safety harnesses with use of high cross prams. My parents used this on me on the family boat as a safety measure as well. I have no idea if there is anything like this on the market today but see if your sail maker could make up a safety harness out of webbing material for your grandson. I never regretted being taken on board a boat for the first time as a 6 month old and grew up loving boats and being on the water. Did the same with my two and they also love being on the water with dad. Oh and as soon as he is 4-5 years old get your grandson into an Optimist learn to sail program.

JayO · Apr 28, 2014

Our Grandson started sailing with us when he was a little over 1 year old. The lee cloth was very handy when he was napping. He's 3 now and knows he has to have his PFD on before he steps on the dock. He also knows to clip in when he's in the cockpit. Getting him comfortable with the water was also important. His parents had him in the pool before he could crawl, so he doesn't panic if he does end up in the drink. Keep it fun while keeping it safe and your Grandkids will pester their parents all summer to go out on Pop-Pop's boat.

svcalcutta · Apr 28, 2014

Safety nets on the lifelines, PFDs, Benadril

sailersteve · Apr 28, 2014

Everyone in a harness and clipped on. to me that would be safest. As for a 1 year old he wont remember it anyway. Any child that knows how to swim most likely wont be afraid to sail and will most likely enjoy the outing. Five and up maybe.

EmmaC · Apr 28, 2014

The best way for a child under 2 or 3 to sleep, depending on their size, is in the car seat. Install the system that is used in automobiles to secure it to one of the settees in the cabin. This is as safe as in a car. For activity, put bumpers on all edges in the main salon and with adult supervision allow the little one to crawl and eventually talk around the cabin. There will be some falls and a rubber mat on the floor can help with that. Get good netting for your lifelines and harnesses for your grandchild when on deck, and the life jacket from the car to the cabin is a requirement not to be broken. Also, remember to never pass the baby while in the car seat - if it falls in it will sink like a rock. Babies can be good on a boat, you just have to be creative.

sailorhokie · Apr 28, 2014

We've sailed with our two sons, now 4 and 2, on our Catalina 27 since they were 2 and newborn.

1. Life jackets are on as soon as we are out of the car at the marina. They only come off when below.

2. Both kids love the V-berth or a quarterberth. Pillows make good anti-roll for small ones napping. Little pop up camping tents for infants also work nicely.

3. We use a car seat down below to strap little ones down while docking or when all hands are needed on deck

4. When in the cockpit underway, we tie a line from their life jackets the a cleat

5. Kids sleep very well underway. They love the drone of a diesel and can even sleep through engine starting/stopping.

6. We are installing lifeline netting this summer.

7. The Mustang kids PFDs are great. We have the ones with the head flap.

8. We keep toys and kid friendly snacks on the boat. If weather turns yucky, a movie on an iPad works wonders.

Kids love the water and nature. So much to see and share.

Josh

civilwar1969 · Apr 28, 2014

baby on board

dis-patch said:
I would like to have my grandson, he's one now, come visit me and also take the whole family out for short and long voyages. I'm a new Hunter 376 owner. I bought him his first PFD for his 1st b-day. My daughter is concerned about him napping, needing to create a space that's safe and secure. Also we're concerned about him moving about and fidgeting, as infants want to do all the time, and meal time safety too. Anybody have any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, web sites to visit, anything that would help get my grandson aboard and provide him safety and security. Oh and don't forget our sanity too.

We have an A23 and we put a life jacket on him ajd just keep an eye on him. Well mine is 3 now but he was 2 when we started but he would nap on one of the benches and I always worried when we were leaning to the opposite side that he would roll off but he never did. For sleep use the vberth and far as eating dont know what your looking for but maybe finger foods. Use a board across the berth but shouldnt fall out from there. We have our son sleep up in the vberth with us at night that way if he gets up you know it. I would take them out while its in the slip and get him use to it and figure what the plan is while its sitting there. Keep life jacket on him while he is in the cockpit. Not to much if he is in the cabin. If he falls in someone go with him and remember not to panic his safety device will let him float. Oh, have fun.

patrickfarley · Apr 29, 2014

My oldest was on a sailboat at about age 2 and the younger from 6 months old on. We had a 22' Venture. The whole cabin portion of the boat was made flat with pillows on the side. It was like a big playroom. We did up to 10 hour day trips.

Always had PDF's on everyone all the time.

They are 16 and 19 years old now. My older one can still remember holding the tiller when she was 2 or 3 years old and up. I think pictures help the memory. I don't remember anything from that young. My earliest memory was from when I was 6 years old. We had lots of good times and family stories that grew out of our trips to the sailing squadron.
Now we go for adventures to locations to investigate.

Still always wear PDF's.

capejt · Apr 29, 2014

Never an infant, but once with my three year old niece. Even splurged for a proper sized PFD. Btw, she absolutely loved it!

Cmp1110 · Apr 29, 2014

We took our son out at 2 months old it was a breeze just napped and played in the v berth always seemed to sleep when under way ( still does now 2 1/2)

sailorhokie · Apr 30, 2014

One more item:
We bought a collapsable tub that fit in the cockpit. Would fill it with water when at anchor and let the little ones splash around. Big hit

Josh