Boating World

Child On Board

by Betsy Clayton

June 8, 2007

Fam time IntroAiden Croft got his first taste of boating when he was 18 months old. One calm day on the Chesapeake Bay, his mom, April, and father, Scott, decided that Aiden  was ready to experience cruising with them on their 21-foot boat. The little New York tike, now 3 years old, got to enjoy the Maryland sun on his face, the feeling of the gentle waves, and the salty air. Today, Aiden loves riding aboard his parents' 28-foot Bayliner. And with his early exposure to boating, chances are high that he'll be a boating fan for the rest of his life — one of the many benefits of getting your child out on the water at a young age.

Tamara Kribs, a Cape Cod powerboater who, along with husband, Jason Jarvis, took daughter, Alex, and son, Colt, aboard before they were each a year old, has had a similarly positive experience introducing her kids to boating while they were infants. "Now my kids love it," says Kribs. "They want to go all the time."  The duo is now 8 and 5, and they adore the family's 21-foot Contender. "The funny thing is, now Alex is just ripped if she knows her dad is going out without her," Kribs says.

Boating parents from New York to California and Michigan to Texas will set out this summer with their youngest family members in tow. But boating with the "diaper set" requires special considerations, which can mean shorter trips for your family, cruising on calmer waters, or coming into shore before the afternoon winds kick up. It also means having the right accessories and know-how to keep the little ones comfortable and the trip running smoothly. With a little extra work and these simple guidelines, you can safely boat with your toddlers in tow - and you'll also increase the odds that they'll count boating as one of their favorite family activities as they grow up.

1. Get a Properly Fitted Life Vest. You won't find a lot of variety in retail stores; it's cost-prohibitive for manufacturers to make affordable, small life vests, and retailers don't typically stock an assortment of them. But if you look carefully, you can find life vests that will work for your children throughout the summer season, says Chris Edmonston, director of boating safety for the BoatU.S. Foundation. "Use the Internet to look for different models. Find one that is snug so that the child can't slide out of it." Remember that kids float differently than adults since their heads are proportionately larger to their bodies, so they have a tendency to float face forward. Buy an infant or toddler vest that has a flotation collar. Also, look for a vest with a strap that runs between the child's legs to ensure that the child won't slip out of the vest.

2. Designate a full-time watcher aboard. "You definitely need two adults aboard," says Croft, who recommends staying within an arm's length of a toddler at all times. Consider using a baby backpack or front pack for infants in order to free up your hands and keep your children safe. Once your kids can walk, you'll need to continue watching them carefully - and holding on to them, too.

3. Childproof your boat the same way you would your home. If your boat has a galley, put the child safety locks on the cupboards just like at home, for example. Remove poisonous cleaners from lower-level cupboards and shelves. The same thing applies for the heads - make them as safe as your bathrooms at home.

4. Use Sunscreen. This may sound simple enough, but many kids suffer painful sunburns because of the improper use of sunscreen. Just remember to reapply an adequate amount of sunscreen every two hours. "Most parents remember, 'OK, we need to do it,' but then they do it at 10 a.m., and pretty soon it's 6 p.m., and they're back at the dock," says Dr. Piedade Silva, a Fort Myers, Fla.-based pediatrician. "They look at the kids, and they're all red because no one reapplied." Sunlight is more intense on the water because of the reflection off the surface. If you pull up on a beach or go swimming, remove his or her diaper, and remember to cover their bottoms with an SPF coating.

5. Lead by example. Do you want your kids to wear life vests without complaining? Then you should wear one at all times. And if you want your kids to stop whining and squirming when you apply sunscreen to them, put some on yourself, and show them how to reapply it.

6. Be prepared for naps. Kids nod off on boats. Make sure you have a comfortable place aboard for them to rest. If you're going to lie them down in a cabin, make sure it's not too hot in there - babies have a harder time than adults regulating their body temperatures. If you let them sleep on the deck, bring extra floatation cushions or a nap mat so they're cushioned from any wave action. "I call it 'the nap effect,'" says Croft. "Put him on a powerboat for 30 minutes, and the kid will be out in about 20."

7. Manage time wisely. The pace is slower when you're out with a young child. Spend less time on the water, and avoid high speeds and rough conditions. "Those factors overstress a youngster," says Edmonston. "By planning properly, it will be more fun." On your first trip out, go for no more than an hour. If you live in a place where afternoon winds kick up, go early in the morning, and be back by lunchtime. If you're in a warmer climate, don't stay out more than an hour with a baby. "You've gotta make it fun," Kribs says. "Keep it short and sweet."

8. Don't give up; you can do it. Your non-boating friends and other parents may rib you about pushing your youngster to follow in your footsteps too early. Likewise, your buddies may harass you about how much gear you must now haul aboard, but disregard them. As long as you use good judgment and make allowances for the little ones, boating can be successful and fun. Besides, every parent wants to have their kids grow up with the same experiences they had. It's all a part of creating a family adventure.
Photo courtesy of Beth Nelson
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