Toddlers on a boat

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maddogg

Member
Hello all,

Just looking for some opinions. At what age did you take your kids on their first boat ride? I've got twin boys 15 months old and just pulled the boat out of storage and was thinking of taking them on their maiden voyage. Don't expect it to be to long - maybe a lap around the lake. Boat is pretty safe - 18 foot Lund with deep sides and carpet floor. I know they have to wear PFD's. Kids are pretty easy going too.

Thoughts?

Thanks

MD
 
W

willey

New member
Do it sooner than later. My daughter was in the boat at 6 months old and my son about a year. Life jackets are a must and it's better to get them used to wearing them early. All my son wants to do is drive and honk the horn but he's two so what do you expect. Enjoy!!!
 
H

Hoosier

Well-known member
My twins are almost 3 now. Last summer they really liked the boat. Before that they didn't and it wasn't worth the effort. The key is to get a life jacket that doesn't bother them - when they were very little, the jackets kind of bumped up and hit the bottoms of their ears and they always wanted them off, so they would cry....needless to say it wasn't a fun ride.

I've seen other parents take babies on a boat and hold them rather than having life jackets on them, as they are too small to really wear one, but I couldn't imagine doing that. It's just not worth the risk, however small it is.

Like Willey said, they love the horn! Bring something for them to eat too. That helps - if they don't fall asleep from the motion, they seem to get restless quick.
 
W

whitedust

Well-known member
No problem take them as long as you can enjoy the boat ride... good days & bad days with kids. My kids were in boats all their lives now the grandkids....knowing how to swim was a must with us & they were in water at 6 months & all of them luv the water. Kayaks. Ranger, Pontoon, Inboard, I/Os....Sailboats not so much but I liked it.LOL.:)
 
H

HardwaterHoosier

Member
Took out daughter out in the les cheneaux islands when she was about 6-7 months.
Made a small canopy with a sheet and put her in the carseat, unbuckled, with a lifejacket on.
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
Had first boy on the lake in a pontoon up north at 2 weeks old. Plenty of shade, didn't stay out long. Took him boating a time or two last year at age 2, with a life jacket. This year he keeps asking me about going on the boat. I don't even own a boat. Lol. I'm more of a atv guy, but might be getting a boat sometime soon.

Boy 2 hasn't been out yet, but season just started and he is 3.5 month old. If we take him down here, it will be early in morning. Lakes get crazy busy in summer around here.
 
E

ezra

Well-known member
indy_500 said:
one of few? other than Busting Out Another Thousand what are the other ones? LOL
Click to expand...
well for one flying will make boaters look cheep.
I get choked up when my buds who fly tell me what parts cost for planes
now get a guy who loves his choppers (not the 2 wheels kind) and u will see some one who spends more in a yr than I have spent in my life on sleds
my bud who dose the TX mile race and the other top speed races like it they also make boats look cheep
the worst one of all is the women they can make all those sports look cheep
 
P

polarisrider1

New member
ezra said:
well for one flying will make boaters look cheep.
I get choked up when my buds who fly tell me what parts cost for planes
now get a guy who loves his choppers (not the 2 wheels kind) and u will see some one who spends more in a yr than I have spent in my life on sleds
my bud who dose the TX mile race and the other top speed races like it they also make boats look cheep
the worst one of all is the women they can make all those sports look cheep
Click to expand...

I guess let's not forget the ladies.
 
M

MR.HAPPY

Member
We went out a few weeks after they were born. Both my Daughters were boat babys! We had one of those baby bouncy seats & put them down in the cuddy, right at the door step & that kept them out of the sun & we could watch them. Just had to make sure they were cool on hot days! They are 21 & 19 now & still love boating & water sports!
 
bearrassler

bearrassler

Well-known member
We took my youngest out 2 days after she got home from the hospital, she was a little over 2 months old then but only weighed about 5 lbs. She fell asleep almost right away. She is 25 now and still likes the boats.
 
S

scott_b

Member
Started my kids at about 4 - 5 months old, they both love the boat. The quicker you get them used to the boat and wearing the life vest the better.
 
D

Dave_B

Active member
Been taking my kids out since they were babies.

Our parents took us out all the time from the day one. No life jackets back then, of course. Learned to swim by the command "JUMP"!

I believe in starting them early. The sooner they lose fear of the water, the better. JMO
 
M

maddogg

Member
Got out on Sunday for abut an hour and I must say it went pretty smooth. They were the last items in the boat after launching and the first things out when coming back. They had a good time too. Pointing at geese and looking around. Thanks everyone.

MD
 
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