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Author Topic:   Infants on Boats

Busch League posted 06-27-2009 10:10 AM ET (US)
Happy Summer Everyone -- the sun came out today in Mass. Good stuff!
I have a 4 month old son (our first) and a 16' Eastport that I hope to put in the water this week. How is this gonna work?
fishgutz posted 06-27-2009 10:16 AM ET (US)
I used to take my son out in the boat when he was real little. Just kept him in his car seat in the boat but UNstrapped with his little lifejacket on. We had a lifejacket that had a loop on the back that we could pick him up in. No problems.
When we'd launch I figured the best place was for him to be in my wife's arms and I'd launch the boat by myself. If she wasn't along I'd get him all set up in the boat and launch. I figured that was the safest place to be. If something went wrong with the truck brakes or whatever he'd be high and dry in the boat.
Most important is get the child out there and don't let the little one curb your boating.
Plotman posted 06-27-2009 11:19 AM ET (US)
My kids started out in the boat at that age.
Just make sure that you have a way to deal with the sun. You aren't supposed to use sunscreen on them at that age, and you are going to have to figure out how shade him.
fishgutz posted 06-27-2009 12:13 PM ET (US)
Hey yeah, that's right. The car seat we used had a built in sun shade. And he wore a "Flap Happy Cap".
http://www.flaphappy.com/
68 WhaleR posted 06-27-2009 01:05 PM ET (US)
I have a 4 month also and a 3 and 5 year old. Thanks for the advice with car seat. That should work fine.
Erick
TransAm posted 06-27-2009 02:15 PM ET (US)
Both of my girls started out very young (4-6 months) experiencing life on the water. Obviously, in a 16-footer some additional care is needed, but we use to bring the proverbial "bouncy seat" and set them in the stern on the floor. They'd sleep all the way across the bay and back with the water providing constant bounce.
Kumiega posted 06-28-2009 01:14 AM ET (US)
My kids started out young 2,3,and 4. I ran jack stays on all my boats. I had each one clipped to the jack stay via lifevest. I have two sided quick release sailing clips. They are older now but when it is rough they want the jack line. When they tube and I am the only adult on the boat I wear a jack line and the wrist shut off.
This is normal for sailors not power boaters. The kids just can not fall off the boat. This worked well when a wave crashed into the bow on Michigan. The kids were tied in and safe. I did not worry at all since I knew they could not go off the boat. There mother vowed never again to go out into lake michigan. This vow has held for 7 years for my wife.
pglein posted 06-28-2009 12:58 PM ET (US)
Yesterday, I observed a woman carrying her baby on a boat (40' Ocean Alexander), using one of those chest carriers. It seemed to work well. When the time came for her to tend to the lines, she took him inside and put him in a crib.
I would be concerned, however, about what one would do with the baby if something were to go wrong. In the case of a fire or sinking, it would be very difficult to protect the baby.
I'm all for not letting the baby get in the way of your boating, and exposing your child to boating as early as possible. However, you've got to have a plan for what you would do in an emergency.
DeeVee posted 06-28-2009 08:09 PM ET (US)
An important consideration is protection from the sun. Sunburn on very young skin is not a good thing.
Doug
R T M posted 06-28-2009 10:53 PM ET (US)
I wouldn`t take an infant on a small open boat. You have to take them in cars and airplanes for transportation, you have no choice. Find a relative or a babysitter to watch them.
rich/Binkie
DavidBrent posted 06-28-2009 11:36 PM ET (US)
Good topic...
<<Overly cautious parent/ Mother hen warning>>
One other big consideration...Be really, really careful with the speed if you bring your little one out! The constant slapping of waves can be very bad for a newborn's head and neck. Our pediatrician warned us about this in regards to biking with our newborn. Cases have occured when biking on rough roads or trails for extended lengths of time leading to a condtion similar to shaken baby syndrome! So IMO, parallels may be drawn to boating, so use caution. Car seats are not designed for boating...they would likely be perfectly fine unstrapped with the baby in a PFD, as Fishgutz said, in calm conditions.

68 WhaleR posted 06-29-2009 10:09 AM ET (US)
The main reason I went from 13 ft to 18 ft outrage is the kids. Last season , wife pregnant, kids just turned 3 and 5 and we tried to go out on a windy choppy day on one of the local lakes. Bump bump bump. Wife was siting on the floor, and the kids were too. After 15 min turned around and that was the last time we went out in the 13. When I get the 18 rolling it will be so much better, high Gunwals and lots of railings. I will feel much better with all the kids and new one and the ride had just got to be better than the 13! LOL! We will still only go out on good days but if a storm pops up I like the idea of the jack stay when we have to go to Battle STATIONS!
Erick
ratherwhalering posted 06-29-2009 12:39 PM ET (US)
You just have to temporarily adjust your boating expectations, and pick your days. With my twins (20 months) we bought infant life preservers with carry harnesses, and did a lot of put-put trips around the harbor. As the kids are getting older, we have started adventuring outside the breakwater with a little more speed. I think safety and supervision are paramount; save your "oh HELL YEAH" days for solo trips ;-)
gstevens posted 06-29-2009 02:03 PM ET (US)
Invest in a bow dodger. My wife and I take our 4 kids (ages 6, 3.5, 2 and 8 wks) out all the time on our 19 Outrage. All of our kids were on the boat as infants and the dodger makes all the difference in the world. The sun and spray protection is great and it give the kids a place to hang out and nap if your fishing or anchored at the beach.
Goose Dog posted 06-29-2009 02:11 PM ET (US)
In an open boat, you need to be sure your child's PFD will work. If I recall correctly, the USCG does not endorse PFD's for infants under 18 lbs. We waited until our's was 18 lbs. and went with the Mustang Lil' Legends series. Have fun.
deepwater posted 06-29-2009 08:06 PM ET (US)
All very good suggestions,, try just setting at the dock for a bit and let it rock around,,A suddenly seasick baby out on the open water would not be any fun for the baby and it could associate the sights and sounds as well as smells with being sick and develop an aversion to the boating world,,slow is the way to go
bluecrusader posted 07-08-2009 11:51 AM ET (US)
Agree that 4 months may be too young for bouncy water.
My boys started on boat at 1 year and 3 years old. They are a handful so life jacket is essential.
Carseat not a good idea unless it floats right way up - but it won't.
Life jacket is essential for young, no matter how uncomfortable or hot.
I had learning heart thumping experience on large waves one
time with family... glad we all had life jackets on!
Adults also need life jackets if they are to effectively take care of young if dumped in waves... no matter how good a swimmer you think you are... chances are it won't happen but better be safe.
Busch League posted 07-09-2009 08:53 PM ET (US)
Thanks you all for your thoughtful suggestions. As always the collective input of this community is priceless. I'm splashing the Eastport tomorrow -- I'll let you know what we come up with for Jackson on the water! I'm thinking in the lifejacket wrapped in mom's arms is a good place to start...
yankee posted 07-09-2009 09:37 PM ET (US)
Son #1 born in Nov
1st fishing trip for Spanish Mac off Cape Look NC in April
Off shore to the gulf stream by age 3. Still don't understand how a kid can sleep on the cockpit floor with salt water washing down the deck but when the boat went to trolling speed he was up demanding his fishing pole be set up 1st
Kids are tougher that we think and love the water.
The boat rocks & vibrates - You pay good money for one of those baby holders that does that.
Landlocked posted 07-10-2009 02:21 PM ET (US)
I've had all three of mine out in the Montauk by 3 months of age. You will find that the most comfortable place for them to ride is in mom's (or your) arms. You'll also find that at a certain RPM, the wind, waves, and humm of the motor will put them to sleep in about 5 minutes. On vacation, we used to take them out for an evening ride in the boat to get them to sleep so we could have a little "quiet time" around the pool.
I used mustang infant vests and then transition to the neopreme ones at about 20-30lbs. Since they've worn them since they were infants, they never complain.
When anchored or motoring slowly, we used to take the cusion off the front cooler and lay it between the bow bulkhead and center console and put them on it.
Ll.

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Author	Topic: Infants on Boats
Busch League	posted 06-27-2009 10:10 AM ET (US) Happy Summer Everyone -- the sun came out today in Mass. Good stuff! I have a 4 month old son (our first) and a 16' Eastport that I hope to put in the water this week. How is this gonna work?
fishgutz	posted 06-27-2009 10:16 AM ET (US) I used to take my son out in the boat when he was real little. Just kept him in his car seat in the boat but UNstrapped with his little lifejacket on. We had a lifejacket that had a loop on the back that we could pick him up in. No problems. When we'd launch I figured the best place was for him to be in my wife's arms and I'd launch the boat by myself. If she wasn't along I'd get him all set up in the boat and launch. I figured that was the safest place to be. If something went wrong with the truck brakes or whatever he'd be high and dry in the boat. Most important is get the child out there and don't let the little one curb your boating.
Plotman	posted 06-27-2009 11:19 AM ET (US) My kids started out in the boat at that age. Just make sure that you have a way to deal with the sun. You aren't supposed to use sunscreen on them at that age, and you are going to have to figure out how shade him.
fishgutz	posted 06-27-2009 12:13 PM ET (US) Hey yeah, that's right. The car seat we used had a built in sun shade. And he wore a "Flap Happy Cap". http://www.flaphappy.com/
68 WhaleR	posted 06-27-2009 01:05 PM ET (US) I have a 4 month also and a 3 and 5 year old. Thanks for the advice with car seat. That should work fine. Erick
TransAm	posted 06-27-2009 02:15 PM ET (US) Both of my girls started out very young (4-6 months) experiencing life on the water. Obviously, in a 16-footer some additional care is needed, but we use to bring the proverbial "bouncy seat" and set them in the stern on the floor. They'd sleep all the way across the bay and back with the water providing constant bounce.
Kumiega	posted 06-28-2009 01:14 AM ET (US) My kids started out young 2,3,and 4. I ran jack stays on all my boats. I had each one clipped to the jack stay via lifevest. I have two sided quick release sailing clips. They are older now but when it is rough they want the jack line. When they tube and I am the only adult on the boat I wear a jack line and the wrist shut off. This is normal for sailors not power boaters. The kids just can not fall off the boat. This worked well when a wave crashed into the bow on Michigan. The kids were tied in and safe. I did not worry at all since I knew they could not go off the boat. There mother vowed never again to go out into lake michigan. This vow has held for 7 years for my wife.
pglein	posted 06-28-2009 12:58 PM ET (US) Yesterday, I observed a woman carrying her baby on a boat (40' Ocean Alexander), using one of those chest carriers. It seemed to work well. When the time came for her to tend to the lines, she took him inside and put him in a crib. I would be concerned, however, about what one would do with the baby if something were to go wrong. In the case of a fire or sinking, it would be very difficult to protect the baby. I'm all for not letting the baby get in the way of your boating, and exposing your child to boating as early as possible. However, you've got to have a plan for what you would do in an emergency.
DeeVee	posted 06-28-2009 08:09 PM ET (US) An important consideration is protection from the sun. Sunburn on very young skin is not a good thing. Doug
R T M	posted 06-28-2009 10:53 PM ET (US) I wouldn`t take an infant on a small open boat. You have to take them in cars and airplanes for transportation, you have no choice. Find a relative or a babysitter to watch them. rich/Binkie
DavidBrent	posted 06-28-2009 11:36 PM ET (US) Good topic... <<Overly cautious parent/ Mother hen warning>> One other big consideration...Be really, really careful with the speed if you bring your little one out! The constant slapping of waves can be very bad for a newborn's head and neck. Our pediatrician warned us about this in regards to biking with our newborn. Cases have occured when biking on rough roads or trails for extended lengths of time leading to a condtion similar to shaken baby syndrome! So IMO, parallels may be drawn to boating, so use caution. Car seats are not designed for boating...they would likely be perfectly fine unstrapped with the baby in a PFD, as Fishgutz said, in calm conditions.
68 WhaleR	posted 06-29-2009 10:09 AM ET (US) The main reason I went from 13 ft to 18 ft outrage is the kids. Last season , wife pregnant, kids just turned 3 and 5 and we tried to go out on a windy choppy day on one of the local lakes. Bump bump bump. Wife was siting on the floor, and the kids were too. After 15 min turned around and that was the last time we went out in the 13. When I get the 18 rolling it will be so much better, high Gunwals and lots of railings. I will feel much better with all the kids and new one and the ride had just got to be better than the 13! LOL! We will still only go out on good days but if a storm pops up I like the idea of the jack stay when we have to go to Battle STATIONS! Erick
ratherwhalering	posted 06-29-2009 12:39 PM ET (US) You just have to temporarily adjust your boating expectations, and pick your days. With my twins (20 months) we bought infant life preservers with carry harnesses, and did a lot of put-put trips around the harbor. As the kids are getting older, we have started adventuring outside the breakwater with a little more speed. I think safety and supervision are paramount; save your "oh HELL YEAH" days for solo trips ;-)
gstevens	posted 06-29-2009 02:03 PM ET (US) Invest in a bow dodger. My wife and I take our 4 kids (ages 6, 3.5, 2 and 8 wks) out all the time on our 19 Outrage. All of our kids were on the boat as infants and the dodger makes all the difference in the world. The sun and spray protection is great and it give the kids a place to hang out and nap if your fishing or anchored at the beach.
Goose Dog	posted 06-29-2009 02:11 PM ET (US) In an open boat, you need to be sure your child's PFD will work. If I recall correctly, the USCG does not endorse PFD's for infants under 18 lbs. We waited until our's was 18 lbs. and went with the Mustang Lil' Legends series. Have fun.
deepwater	posted 06-29-2009 08:06 PM ET (US) All very good suggestions,, try just setting at the dock for a bit and let it rock around,,A suddenly seasick baby out on the open water would not be any fun for the baby and it could associate the sights and sounds as well as smells with being sick and develop an aversion to the boating world,,slow is the way to go
bluecrusader	posted 07-08-2009 11:51 AM ET (US) Agree that 4 months may be too young for bouncy water. My boys started on boat at 1 year and 3 years old. They are a handful so life jacket is essential. Carseat not a good idea unless it floats right way up - but it won't. Life jacket is essential for young, no matter how uncomfortable or hot. I had learning heart thumping experience on large waves one time with family... glad we all had life jackets on! Adults also need life jackets if they are to effectively take care of young if dumped in waves... no matter how good a swimmer you think you are... chances are it won't happen but better be safe.
Busch League	posted 07-09-2009 08:53 PM ET (US) Thanks you all for your thoughtful suggestions. As always the collective input of this community is priceless. I'm splashing the Eastport tomorrow -- I'll let you know what we come up with for Jackson on the water! I'm thinking in the lifejacket wrapped in mom's arms is a good place to start...
yankee	posted 07-09-2009 09:37 PM ET (US) Son #1 born in Nov 1st fishing trip for Spanish Mac off Cape Look NC in April Off shore to the gulf stream by age 3. Still don't understand how a kid can sleep on the cockpit floor with salt water washing down the deck but when the boat went to trolling speed he was up demanding his fishing pole be set up 1st Kids are tougher that we think and love the water. The boat rocks & vibrates - You pay good money for one of those baby holders that does that.
Landlocked	posted 07-10-2009 02:21 PM ET (US) I've had all three of mine out in the Montauk by 3 months of age. You will find that the most comfortable place for them to ride is in mom's (or your) arms. You'll also find that at a certain RPM, the wind, waves, and humm of the motor will put them to sleep in about 5 minutes. On vacation, we used to take them out for an evening ride in the boat to get them to sleep so we could have a little "quiet time" around the pool. I used mustang infant vests and then transition to the neopreme ones at about 20-30lbs. Since they've worn them since they were infants, they never complain. When anchored or motoring slowly, we used to take the cusion off the front cooler and lay it between the bow bulkhead and center console and put them on it. Ll.