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fly fishing & boating
Boating With Children
Recreational family boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters to teach responsibility and being out in nature provides endless lessons for the young boater. Nonetheless, if youngsters are going to be joining you, there are a few features to at least consider when purchasing family boats.
You will probably want to have a boat with a cuddy cabin – space below where children can rest and/or get out of the sun. These can be good places for them to play also when they get bored as children almost always inevitably do.
A child’s life jacket is very important and differs from the adult model in a few ways. When buying a life jacket for your child, get a good one with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange color for good visibility. Attach a plastic safety whistle to the lifejacket and teach the child how to use the whistle, and practice using it.
Because the life jacket can mean the difference between rescue and tragedy, you really need to pay special attention to getting one that will fit your child correctly and keep them safe. Here are some considerations you must address when picking out a life vest for your child.
Check with your state to find out what the mandatory age is for life vests. Some states say that children 6 and under must wear a life vest all the time while others have different age limitations. Even if the child you have on board your boat is older than your state’s mandatory age, it’s still a good idea to have ALL children on the boat wear a life vest all the time.
Believe it or not, the type of water you are on can make a difference in which life vest you choose for a child. Type II vests are made for lakes, bays, and oceans. PWC vests are more for shallow water conditions.
Infants (up to 30 pounds) should have a life vest with a hinged collar, a strong grab loop, and a sturdy plastic zipper and belt around the waist.
For children from 5-10 years old weighing 50-90 pounds, you can choose a smaller version of the adult Type II vest depending on their size. Just be sure it fits well and even test it out to be sure the vest will do its job in case of an emergency.
Pack a cooler with lots of fluids like water and juices (such as apple or grape), baby bottles and sippy cups. Being out in the sun for extended periods of time, children and adults get dehydrated quickly. Stay away from sodas, because they contain sodium and can make you more dehydrated. Pack snacks that are not too salty or too sweet.
Even if you don’t have infants, take a diaper bag or a backpack with extra changes of clothes, and make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Bring plastic bags to keep wet things away from dry things.
Depending on how much time you will spend on the water, your child may need a nap. Bring a small blanket or some towels and a small pillow and prepare a cozy place for them like in a cuddy cabin or a makeshift tent.