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From 3 to 6 years old | From 6 to
8 years old | Safety Considerations and Other Topics
One of the most frequently asked
question even from seasoned charterers or charter boat owners, and
the one with most misconceptions is: Can I, should I, bring the
kids on a charter cruise? Well, my unequivocal answer is a resounding
YES! for any child over 3 years old.
My son first came on our boat when he was 3 1/2. I could tell instantly
he would be comfortable and that he would enjoy himself tremendously.
He had this wonderful instinct all kids that age have, moving about
the right way with a sure foot, properly climbing up and down the
companionway etc. And because he has a curious mind, he immediately
started exploring all the corners of the boat.
My son, now 9, has since been on our boat on countless one-week
cruises. And now, he really helps and he is happy as a clam. Incidentally,
succeeding in this will (almost) guarantee he will be happier on
the boat as a teenager and later.
We thought it would be useful to put together a bit of advice to
make kids happy and safe on charter. By the way, we recommend a
great site for additional input on these topics: Boatsafe Kids
The key to achieve a successful
charter with kids is simple: make them participate in the
action, get them involved and put them in charge of
some things, changing the latter as they grow up. Never underestimate
children. Do not assume they are too young to do this or that. Of
course, if the child is under 4 or 5, there are things he just cannot
do. However, you can make him believe and help him discretely, so
that he will feel proud to be part of the crew. Here are some things
I have experienced with my son over the years.
From
3 to 6 years old
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Systematically explain everything that goes on on the boat.
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Show and name the main parts of the boat. Explain what their functions are.
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Occasionally ask him/her simple questions about what you explained.
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In the dinghy, going slow,
show the child how to steer -obviously, you keep control at
all times. Tell him that soon, he/she will be the dinghy Captain.
That works wonders!
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Take the child on your
lap when you are steering the big boat (conditions permitting.)
Explain what you are doing and watching.
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Show a couple of very simple
knots, and make the child apply them in some situations. Create
the situations if necessary.
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Of course, use simple words
for all of the above, and congratulate him/her for every little
achievement.
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Have on board several picture
books for children, relating to the current environment: fish
and corals, stars and, of course boats.
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Make sure that he/she helps
cleaning and tidying his/her room every morning. The child has
to understand very early on that a boat cannot be messy.
Think I am crazy? You are in
for a big surprise. Kids are like sponges. At that age, they will
learn everything you will teach them.
From
6 to 8 years old
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Keep explaining everything
that goes on on the boat, as well as the parts and their functions.
Only now, you can be more specific and a little more technical.
If the child is responding well, you can be even more technical.
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Have your child near you
when you are preparing your navigation for the next day. If
he/she asks questions, explain.
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When en-route, use a baby
chart like the one given by some charter companies to show the
child the navigation path and how what you see on land relates
to the chart.
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Have the child steer the
big boat with you. Around 7/8 years-old, you can explain the
effects of the wind in the sails.
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Explain the compass and
the wind direction indicator.
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Keep him/her busy with
the flag
etiquette.
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Put him/her in charge of
something. For example, make the child a spotter: ask the child
to help keep an eye on boats which could be on collision course.
Explain how.
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Show him/her how to coil
as well as to do some more complicated knots. The bowline with
the rabbit in and out of the hole is a winner. Make the child
use the knots he/she knows. My son was doing a perfect monkey
fist at 7.
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Ask the child to help cranking
the small winches or tailing/coiling some small lines. If he
can't do it, help discretely. If several crews are cranking
hard or pulling sheets (during a tack for example) make the
child participate.
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In the dinghy, your child
should be able to steer by himself (with you on board -of course!
- and keeping one hand on the tiller just in case.) He is now
the official Dinghy Captain. Get him/her the T-shirt.
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Put him/her in charge of
making sure younger children wear their life jacket. Of course,
supervise this discretely.
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A great book to buy for
tons of kids' activities while sailing is "Fun Afloat"
Safety
Considerations and Other Topics
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Physical safety is the
main priority when kids are on a sailboat. I personally have
3 simple rules on my boat: a) all children under 12 must wear a life jacket when on deck; b) no child goes on the foredeck
when sailing; c) if the weather gets really too rough, kids
go down below. I strongly suggest investing in a real, properly
fitting life jacket, with a solid, easily caught grab-handle.
For extra safety, a harness is also a good idea. But remember:
none of these devices, however good they are, can be a substitute
for parent supervision.
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Take time to inspire a
good amount of respect for the water and the wind. Explain how
these forces can bring a great deal of harm in no time. Do not
scare children, but remind them that falling into the water
from a boat is not the same as falling into a pool. The water
may be colder or deeper. Some children understand this instinctively
while others need to be reminded.
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Give the kids time to explore
the boat while at the dock and start using boat terms such as
head, galley, boom and cockpit. Show them where the handgrips
and handrails are. Teach them the sentence: One hand for you,
one hand for the boat. Have them practice moving around the
boat while wearing their PFD. Show them how to use the head.
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When you are having fun
on the boat, it will be contagious and children will have fun
too. So avoid screaming or children will always associate boating
with screaming. The same goes for panicking, or being grumpy.
So if you stay calm, fun and enthusiastic, it will reflect on
them.
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Let them be children. Do
not make being on a charter cruise synonym of constant work.
Let them do whatever they want, play down below etc. That is,
if you want them to come back when they grow up!
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Keep the first day sail
short-a 4-hour sail might be short for you, but not for a child.
And make sure to have plenty of snacks and water to keep children
happily fed and hydrated.
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Of course, you can make
your own rules and experiment much more than what I describe.
But following those few guidelines will guarantee you many happy
charters and the fabulous reward of seeing happy little sailors.
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