Yachting with children - what should parents pay attention to?

Safety is the foundation

This item applies not only to children, but also to your friends and relatives. Yachting is about a safe holiday, which means you need to consider the issue as a whole. It's not just about rails and life jackets - there are many other things that need to be taken care of.

For a fun, safe and rewarding cruise, you need to choose a suitable route without any extreme sections, the boat must be prepared. 

Some of the things that we're going to talk about today can be really planned and predicted, but a child is unlikely to think the same way as you. Therefore, in case of any emergency, self-control and good reaction speed are necessary.

Of course, attention should be paid to the means of individual and general security. Below you will find a short list of the most important things for babies on board. 

Rescue net and vests

There are a great many such nets, mostly reminiscent of a fishing net. They are usually installed along or on the handrail. This prevents the child from falling overboard. Thanks to this mesh, your baby will be able to walk more confidently on the deck. But do not forget that you still need to follow the child!

As for life jackets, there are also life jackets for babies. They are not included in the package of the charter boat, you will have to buy them yourself or request them separately from the charter company. 

Life jackets are required (should) be on all children. It does not depend on age and ability to swim. Moreover, life jackets must be worn by the child and in the marina. Alas, it is impossible to predict the moment when the child decides to explore the expanses of water near the parents' yacht. Therefore, it is better to prevent the problem.

From the general recommendations - it is advisable to have two life jackets on board for each crew member. 

Safety straps

Among the children's variations of rescue equipment, there are also seat belts. This is a good solution for the safety of the child. Thanks to this belt, the baby can be securely fastened and limited in its movement within the parent's line of sight.

Of the minuses of belts - they can be relatively easy to get confused and / or trip over them. At the same time, such seat belts are still one of the most effective means of safety on board, not only for children, but also for adults.

In order to avoid tangling the belt, you should think about what the belt can cling to and how to avoid it. A safety line can be a way out of the situation. Such lines are made of very durable materials and will allow the child to move on a safety belt along the board back and forth.

Boat selection

If you have a child and don't own a boat, or are just thinking about buying one, then we have a couple of tips for that. Naturally, there are extreme people who were able to cross the entire globe with a family with children, grandparents on a raft measuring 4 by 4 meters. But we choose a safer and better quality holiday. 

When choosing a boat for a family vacation, many prefer catamarans. And not in vain. A catamaran is one of the most reasonable choices not only for a family with children, but also for a large company. 

If you like a good roll or intense sailing, then you are unlikely to choose a catamaran, but many people like stability, reliability and comfort no less than outdoor activities. 

Moreover, catamarans are famous for their interior and exterior spaces. Everything is literally more spacious on them - galley, cockpit, cabins. You will also appreciate the soundproofing. You can just go to cabins in separate buildings. It is unlikely that snoring of one of the family members will become a big problem. A screaming baby is also unlikely to be a great joy.

A few words about sailboats

If you are a fan of sails, then it would be better to choose a yacht with a cockpit closer to the center of the hull or with a closed cockpit. This will somewhat limit the movement of the child and reduce the risk of the child falling off the stern of the boat. Alas, sailing yachts with a cockpit in the center are not so common. 

If you have not found such a boat, then before booking a boat, be sure to study the photo of the cockpit. The more the cockpit on the boat is closed, the safer it will be for the child to spend time on board.

Which route to choose for yachting with a child?

Of course, you can take the whole family in a bunch and go on an intensive cruise with night crossings, trying to get the boat up as fast as possible and without going ashore for a week.

However, do not expect words of gratitude from the children after this. It is best to choose a quiet route, preferably well known to you. And even on such a route that you will pass with your eyes closed, watch the weather. Try to avoid any difficult weather conditions as much as possible. 

The same applies to transition times. It is better to go to sea for half a day and spend time with your family on the shore in the evening. If you are staying on the beach, then consider an entertainment plan for the child. Perhaps somewhere nearby there is an amusement park or bicycles for rent. Spend time with your child in an active and varied way.

Cleanliness and tidiness

In the salon and cockpit try to keep everything in order. You should not leave knives, glasses, jugs, or anything else that could harm your cabin boy. 

Everything that lies under your feet should also be in its place and not interfere with the passage. Not only a small sailor can stumble, but also quite an experienced sea wolf.

Set a personal example

A child may naturally ask: “Why is no one but me wearing a life jacket?” So that such questions do not arise and all crew members maintain peace of mind, all crew members should be dressed in life jackets. 

Besides the fact that the child will not have an extra reason to worry, you will also be better protected. The best motivation for a child is a good example. If mom and dad are wearing life jackets, then the child may not even get to the point of asking questions about the need for a vest for him personally.

The same applies not only to rescue equipment - it is necessary to set the right example everywhere and in everything. So the child will learn the main principles of yachting and safety much faster. 

Explain, show, help

It is unlikely that a little why will pass by interesting displays and all sorts of big things on board. It is also unlikely that a five-year-old cabin boy will understand how to set up a mainsail, but it is definitely worth taking the time to answer all the questions of the little ones. So you can interest them in yachting even more.

If we are talking about slightly older children, then it makes sense to explain the principles of the sail, to talk about MOB. Explain to the child the danger of falling overboard and what to do in this case. 

It would be nice to teach a child to knit knots. This can not only be interesting for a child, but also useful for - after a couple of years, an already matured cabin boy will help you. 

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10.12.2022