For the boat owners with Young kids, help me out

[lemans.z20]

I am going to be getting into a boat this year or beginning next year. Ive nailed down a few things, only thing holding me back from a jetboat is the no cabin situation. I will have a newborn due in September, and I am worried on how to handle him with no cabin.

What do you guys do with your kids if they need to nap or something on the water, where do they go?? How do you keep them cool? Sorry, first kid ever so trying to make sure I get into the right boat.

 

[RiverRat]

If you're in a northern climate your kid will likely be ) or 7 months old by the time they get aboard, which should help. My oldest was born in September, so same deal. As long as you've got a good Bimini too you've got the shade you'll need. A comfortable life jacket(don't be afraid to try a few different types) is very important. With my second only being 2 months or so when he started boating we would bring him aboard in his car seat carrier (not buckled in of course) and he was very comfortable sleeping in it. I've found that babies love the hum of the motor and the gentle wave action and mostly just sleep.

My newest crew member is now three weeks old, and we'll probably get some water time in this coming weekend, so we'll see how it goes!

 

[RiverRat]

And when they get a little bigger and you pull up to a beach, NEVER FORGET THE SAND TOYS!!!!! You'll be searching through your boat for anything they can dig with.

 

[lemans.z20]

I am in Florida so its pretty much boating weather year round. I just want to know any tips everyone can provide to keep him comfortable. Where do you put your youngest when you guys are driving to location and when your on location, anywhere specific you have in when your on these boats? Seems the passenger seat next to the driver would be the smartest, but Im not sure.

 

[seadude]

Sorry but newborns don't belong in boats!
I'd wait a couple of years...

 

[Betik]

You probably know this that is why you are asking, but babies overheat much Much faster that kids let alone adults.

I am not how you feel about cover the entire boat. One jetboaters had literally a tent over his entire boat.

 

[lemans.z20]

Thats a first time I hear about newborns on a boat. I was on a boat since I was 6 months, maybe my parents were really careful??

 

[Speedling]

All three of my kids were on the boat before they were 1 and i started out with a 16' exciter.
On my ss we kept the bimini up, put towels along the sides. We also now have a snap on bow cover that creates a sort of cuddy.
Some of the newer larger models have a porta potti in the big compartment.
And be realistic! Memorial day weekend is better at home with a newborn. Short trips are key. You will grow into boating with your kids! I have learned to discuss the plan for if things don't go well.

 

[Betik]

The long term effects of overheating are very suttle.

I am sure you kid will turn better captain than some of us who learned to swim in mid 30s. Sometimes overprotective parents do more damage than the average parent.

 

[lemans.z20]

Yeah I mean I am not going to go crazy partying and stuff with the baby. I just want to do weekends with the baby to enjoy the water with him and go to little islands on less crazy weekends. My thing for me is I can rent a hotel for the weekend in the fl keys, and want to make sure hes comfortable. Thats why I ask for your tips on where he goes and stuff.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

We boat w three kids since they were in diapers. We have a 4, 5, & a 7 year old and this is our 5th boating season. During the summer we go out later in the evening when it cools down and we always have a small portable fan placed near them if they nap. And having shade on them when they do. We steer clear of our lake on wknds also. There's no reason why you can't enjoy boating w young kids.

 

[Speedling]

Gotta add that while i took out infants, it was very seldom. You need them to be about 2 before everyone is actually enjoying the time. Otherwise it is very much a concern.

 

[RiverRat]

Yes, infants every once in awhile, shorter outings, and obviously I don't boat in 100+ temps really ever, so I can't comment too much on keeping them cool. While underway one of the other adults on board would be holding them, or if on the pontoon they might be in their car seat on the bench. I don't haul ass and have the luxury of not having to go out in rough water if I don't want to. Abundant smaller inland lakes and the Mississippi River.

 

[robert843]

I just took a 9 moth old on the locks run and it was a 10 hour day on the water with no issues. Get lots of hats and sun screen they also make a rocker the can hang from a tower that is nice. Best advice I can give is get them used to it right away and you should be fine here is a video from our trip you will see him sleeping on the boat a minute or so in as he wasn't on my first part of the trip.

 

[CAM212SS]

my daughter was 5 months and my son was 3 months when we first had them on the boat (this due to when they were born)... nothing crazy, no tubing or anything, so there was not harm in a cruise on the lake... in my opinion much safer than in a car driving around town.
We have a fan that we hooked up to the battery to always have air blowing while stopped in a cove

 

[Speedling]

Oh, my kids were water births so they were swimming before they ever even crawled! Lol don't ask for details please!

 

[Julian]

All these boats have biminis that will keep you shaded plenty....so no issues there...just don't go out on super hot days. Our daughter was on our boat from age 6 months on and loved it. She'd yell "faster daddy" and loved to sit on my lap while driving.

 

[nate kennedy]

My wife got this chair. We have 2 girls and both been on the boat whole life. The chair is nice it folds pretty flat for easy storage and plenty of room in the cockpit. Always had Bimini up and sun hat. We didn't go out too much when it's gets hot and if it does we have the luxury of going back to the cabin. I think it is more work for the parent not driving to keep the youngest occupied. We always have a couple extra towels for her to lay on and make a shade on the side while we are anchored up. I do think we moved around a lot more when they were younger to circulate the air and cool down. Might be a little harder than you think but the memories are well worth it for me anyways! Good luck!

 

[Wake Turbulence]

5 month old on his first outing! He loved watching the wake! I also have a snap cover for the bow

 

[MattFX4]

We bought our boat last April when my son was 18 months old. Last summer was a challenge. He would fall asleep in my wife's arms while crusing and then we would lay him down on the bench seat to nap when we stopped. Just make sure Bimini is up for shade. I also purchased the fan below from Home Depot for extra air flow on him. He's 2 and a half now and I can tell this summer is going to be much more enjoyable. He sits on back of the swim platform and kicks his feet for entertainment.