Small Children/Sound concerns while boating

[obrien19]

So did a quick search, but really didn't find anything. My son was born last September, so this will be our first summer learning to boat with small children. I know our jetboats are "louder". Anyone ever consider putting hearing protection on small children due to the noise? Son is roughly 9 months old.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

They aren't that loud....

Try an airboat and get back to me.

 

[steveinmd]

I find the wind noise to be louder/more annoying than the engine(s)

 

[2kwik4u]

So did a quick search, but really didn't find anything. My son was born last September, so this will be our first summer learning to boat with small children. I know our jetboats are "louder". Anyone ever consider putting hearing protection on small children due to the noise? Son is roughly 9 months old.

Total noise energy (sound pressure level) is nearly the same. Frequency is higher. As compared to regular I/O.

In general the wind noise, and stereo is as much of a concern as the engine noise. We had hearing protection while underway on our youngest until he was ~14mo and would physically fight it off of him. He was on the boat starting around 10wks or so.

 

[Ronnie]

If your concerned ear plugs are cheap and easy. Most of my friends are concerned about swearing around their kids, not hard to monitor with guests on the boat but impossible in crowd, on the beach or rafted up with strangers.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I’ve seen young kids at the races and their parents have ear muffs on them.

 

[obrien19]

They aren't that loud....

Try an airboat and get back to me.

Have been on an airboat, know those are loud. I personally don't cosider the boat loud, as others have mentioned, just a different frequency. I've boated my whole life, I/O, outboards and direct drive/v drive boats. Mainly, was just trying to figure out, if people have put hearing protection on small children for their jet boats, or haven't and noticed if it made a difference for the childs boating experience. I know personally, I'm pretty careless when it comes to hearing protection, but you know, parents try to do better for their kids lol.

 

[AZMark]

My son is pretty sensitive to loud noise and he’s been on the boat since about 2 months old without problems.
We’re not ripping around at 50mph with him though. Just cruising.

 

[AZMark]

I’ve seen young kids at the races and their parents have ear muffs on them.

I saw a couple of infants at the drag races this spring which included nitro/top fuel cars.

That’s not great parenting.

 

[2kwik4u]

Have been on an airboat, know those are loud. I personally don't cosider the boat loud, as others have mentioned, just a different frequency. I've boated my whole life, I/O, outboards and direct drive/v drive boats. Mainly, was just trying to figure out, if people have put hearing protection on small children for their jet boats, or haven't and noticed if it made a difference for the childs boating experience. I know personally, I'm pretty careless when it comes to hearing protection, but you know, parents try to do better for their kids lol.

Same boat here......Just trying to do better than my parents did.

I haven't noticed any hearing issues from our little one. I mean, he's 5 now and hears what he wants, but that's more of a selective listening than a functional problem with his ears

 

[Ronnie]

The most cost effective way to reduce the noise of the engines IMHO is to line the engine compartment opening with pipe insulation foam. It takes about 20 minutes and 20’ of pipe insulation which should cost around $20.

 

[obrien19]

The most cost effective way to reduce the noise of the engines IMHO is to line the engine compartment opening with pipe insulation foam. It takes about 20 minutes and 20’ of pipe insulation which should cost around $20.

Appreciate the feed back. I don't want this to turn into a "my boat is too loud" thread. That's not why I started it. Personally, I crank the music, and just enjoy cruising in open water. Obviously not gonna crank the music with the little one on board. Was just trying to see what people have done with little kids. I'm the parent that is "well if he does it once and gets hurt, he's not gonna do it anymore". BUT......My wife is the complete opposite over protective mother bear. So as a man, I have come here to bring up the subject, where my wife will never see it lol