What do you all find is the best way to prepare little kids for going out in the boats? How old were your kids when you took them out for the first time?

Thanks...

We started getting them used to wearing their life jackets whne we worked on the pool. Probably the first time out for the middle one was about 2 1/2. The older one around 3 with a couple of hours out fishing at 4 with clamdigger. No problems they like boats but like a soft smooth riding place to SIT when underway. They get a little scared when it is bumpy.

Started mine off slow. We would go to lakes when they were real little, then some salty rivers.

Started taking them out in big ocean when they were older (6+).
Always had the jackets on. The good full jackets, (for lack of a better word) with the "crotch strap" the not the orange ones we all stow in our boats.

Hi John.
Well my son is almost 2 now, and was brought on the boat for the first time at about 18 months. I always put him in a life jacket before we leave the dock. I typically only take him in the salt pond. He loves being onboard, he wants to grab the steering wheel and throttle control. You have to watch him every second though as he has no fear of water.

John,
I had luck taking my son (3yrs 10mos) by keeping it simple, I went scup fishing. Next time I go I will pre-cut the squid strips because knifes are too cool not to touch.
Also try and have a few spots to stop and get out of the boat go swimming, play ect...
Food is also key, I find a big sugar daddy can kill close to 20minutes.
Good luck and remember fun first, fishing second.
Oh yeah, let the kids drive the boat, and if they're bad keel haul them.
Where do plan to go??

Thanks - Next year I'm hoping to get my son out. Simple stuff like going and beaching the boat over at Patience Island for lunch and maybe a scup trip or two. Scup may be too much for him even as he will not even be 3 yet next year....

I remember when I first had control of the steering wheel while sitting on my dad's lap - I was about 4 or 5 at the time. One of my earliest memories relating to the water...

The salt ponds are great for kids. Nice and calm and lots of critters for them to catch. My kids love exploring the salt flats, crabbing, swimming, fishing and cruising in the boat. Once they're steady on their feet it becomes fun to take them on the boat. Both my kids were 2 when I started them on boats. My son whos 5 is great on the boat - he does the dock lines, sets the anchor and is becoming quite the fisherman. My 2 yr old daughter needs someone to watch her constantly but shes learning the rules of the boat and shes alot of fun to have out there(her attention span is alot shorter than my son so plan accordingly). Like everyone else said, buy a quality lifejacket thats comfortable and keep him in it the whole time your out and you'll have less to worry about. Even when we go to the beach my kids want to wear the life jackets :). You got some good times coming!;)

I've been told that better life jackets designed for kids have that crotch strap as well as a handle on the back of the jacket so they can be picked up quickly.... hmmmm, Salt Ponds :D

Originally posted by John R
life jackets designed for kids a handle on the back of the jacket so they can be picked up quickly.... hmmmm, Salt Ponds :D

Go for it, but I sure hope you never need that handle.

When my kids were about 8 and 10, we went from Wellfleet to P-town. The wind kicked up so bad on the way back, I was freakin out, with them on board and the waves crashing. We were safe enough in the 21 footer, but I was still freaked. They never knew how nervous I was. Of course, they both had jackets on.

My son will always have a jacket on and I'm liking GS's rule that while underway with any appreciable speed, all have on jackets. I'm thinking of doing the same, myself included...

John we had the twins out fishing at age 3 all fresh water at that time great fun watching them do battle with sunnies. They allways had vest on at all times and have always known how to swim because of the pool. Back then we had a 16' Glasstron bass boat the kids loved to go out on to fish and jump over board for a swim. First time on salt they were 5 and it was a trip to Cuttyhunk on a 20'er all had vests on at the time. This is something I must start doing again. I always have one when alone but seldome if there are others aboard. Guess I feel safe with others but realy should have one on at all times the boat is up on plane. Also I always use the kill switch this is something I feel is just as important as a vest and if alone can save your life also. Now that all said and done all you Dads out there love those children as much and as often as you can take THEM fishing and you bait the hook and watch as this is their time. I now know that they grow up all to fast. But have also found that the bigger the boat the more often they come over:D :D next year the Queen Marry!!!!!!

Where do you guys take your kids tubing and sking when you not fishing? I tried the North river is Salem but that is only good at high tide. My kids (11 and 14) bitch and moan about the life preservers but they strap them on or don't go out.

Took my daughter at about a year and a half. Had her car seat tied to the other seat. and had here in it when we were motoring. Fluked off Misquamicut and when she needed a nap, driving fast would be like a cars affect. Right to sleep. Did the saltpond thing and she liked Napatree the best. Brought one one of those shells that looks like a pop tent cut in half. She had shade and everyone was happy. Get thm out early, under the right conditions and they will be used to it. My sister in laws kids are 10 and 12 and are afraid of the water, boats, seaweed, etc. Since going to RI for a couple of weeks every year for the last five, I now have them fishing, clamming and snorkeling. Do it young

I grew up on my folks boats. We would live abord for most all of my adolesent summers. I was told I was thrown aboard when i was 8 days old, sounds about right to me.

I always had a jacket and a leash, no joke, a leash, amazing I am pretty sure I still have the leash it is just in the hands of my better half nowadays :smash:

I live for the water and i have my folks to thank for that. Start your kids young and they will love it for ever.

No kids for me just yet but my "lttleones" wear life jackets as well:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/geyrge-trayder.jpg



a close up of George the fishing Machine


http://www.classicseacraft.com/georgebow.jpg

Nice pic. Thats the only young ones we have around these days and they don't like water!!! But now that the children are gone Jane seems to like boating alot more or is it she just does not want me out of site as I might leave too.:laughs: :laughs: she brings a book and I fish .

Trayder, nice pic....

Does the 200 pound do g chase the 2 pound cat around the boat?

Ohhh, and I wonder what the "Big Guy" wants to talk to you about. I'm hoping that he's pretty proud of the following you've organized from the scattered masses....

Good luck...

BTW - I forgot, which day in September?

:laughs: John the funny thing is the 200lb dog (105lb doberman in truth) is scared to death of water, linoleum, and the cat(s) (4 of them). There is nothing more funny than big ole Zues running from little georgie and the rest of the cat gallery.

Anywho- The I think we set it up for uh oh....Friday the 13th. As it turns out I messed up the ASA scheduale perhaps we ought to change it back to Monday the 16th???? Seriously the 13th bugs me out a tad. Bad MOJO

As for Senor Potter, beats the heck out of me I also got an e-mail, it seemed urgent he gave me his cell # and want to chat. I hope I did nothing to offend him???

I enrolled my son in the YMCA's swimming class for infants at 6-months old. He loves the water now, not sure if that had any impact...