With a sailboat, would you take your preschoolers on a sailing trip?
It's a popular dream to go on a bluewater adventure abroad with young children and their families, and if there is a child who can understand instructions, concentrate on reading, or at least master the basics of swimming, many families can stay on the boat until school. So sailing blue water with young children is all that can be done.
Here are four tips for families sailing by boat with young children, sharing how they managed and enjoyed sailing with a small crew.
Live to learn; cruising before the school year gives you real freedom
Sooner rather than later – safety comes first when sailing with young children
There are many reasons to travel with children under the age of 5. For some families, it's just a situation where they don't have to wait,—— especially if siblings want to return to formal education before high school. Setting sail early allows you to sail longer and start with an easier phase. When children go sailing when they are young, there may be no need to increase the size of the sailboat in order to increase the number of cabins.
For many families, being able to go sailing without considering the "sailing school" factor is a huge attraction. "I found that home parenting for preschool and early elementary school children was very simple and stress-free," recalls Carolyn Simpson, who had four sons aged 4 to 9.
Learn about charts early
She and her husband have been aboard the Herreshoff ketch 47-foot "Moon Rive" since the birth of their youngest son, and their youngest son cruised the Pacific Ocean with his brothers (four, six, and seven years old, respectively) at the age of two.
"We really just want to make sure the kids don't fall behind in reading and the letter combinations. Basic math, alphabets, etc. can be learned through games and daily activities, and lifestyle is an education in itself. ”
Friendship is less important in preschool, which relieves the stress of finding other people to "share the boat" — though it can be harder to maintain relationships with a wider range of family members, such as grandparents and cousins, if you rely on video calls or similar means.
As Caroline recalls, the slow and simple life on board could suit a very young family: "It was great for all of us, as a family, to be together 24 hours a day, for long cruises, to have a newborn, and not to have a schedule. My memories of breastfeeding on the boat, relaxing on the beach, playing in shallow water, and sleeping in a hammock under the trees are fantastic. ”
Trolleys are good stroller alternatives
But there are also obvious obstacles to overcome. Lack of sleep is a big factor in early parenting. Add to that the challenges of taking turns at night, anchor monitoring, getting proper rest during sailing, and trying to sleep undisturbed in a small space — and in a tropical climate — it's easy to see why many sailing parents are reluctant to sail with their young children.
Considering basic ship maintenance, housework, possible income-generating work, and creating enough sleep time can be challenging. For many families, this means taking it slow. For others, that means bringing in more people — the extended family or the deck crew.
Health and safety concerns can seem daunting. All common dangers — falls, suffocations, burns — are magnified on board. With children still young and simply not expected to follow key instructions, the manning tactic became a full-time job. If one parent is taking care of the boat, the other parent needs to take care of the child. Preventing people from falling into the water, falling off piers and pontoon bridges, and safely getting to and from dinghies requires careful planning and constant vigilance.
There's also the problem that sailing with kids can change the experience of sailing itself. Diving in a coral reef, or immersing yourself in a different cultural experience, can be an adult's wish list, and the best moment for young children is to do simple things, and finding a shallow beach may be your target for anchoring.
Play on the boat
Emily Lane points out: "There are some elements of life on board that toddlers can't appreciate as much as older kids. "She lives with her husband, four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter on the Norseman 447 Resolute." I think we have a grand vision to spot dolphins together and teach our kids the names of fish and seabirds... But to be honest, they're too young to get them excited like a good old-fashioned playground. The route of our intra-coastal waterway is basically determined by the distance to the playground. ”
Prepare for testing
The first thing any parent planning to cruise with kids should do is accept the fact that plans may change. Heather Richard originally set off with her ex-husband and three children, including a preschooler. Afterwards, she continues sailing alone with her young children, bringing more crew members with her when needed and using her experience as a sailing instructor to teach them more skills.
Heather Richard is now a U.S. Coast Guard licensed (100-ton) captain
"As a single mother, I had some very unique experiences where I travelled alone with my three children. But it was easy to find young, capable, strong, willing crew members who were easily integrated into my family, who helped my children's education a lot and set a good example for them. Their energy and positive attitude was amazing for me and the kids. ”
Caroline Simpson also found that sailing with young children can challenge a small relationship. "One of the biggest challenges in the early days was that we would get tired during the voyage, even circling the coast in stormy weather. It's hard to maintain a rapport when we're all sleep deprived, but after a day off on the beach, the boys running around, and everything is solved! Husband Richie is a very patient captain which was very helpful. ”
The couple planned carefully. "We both took courses in offshore medicine, courses in marine survival, and Ritchie worked as a crew member on a voyage to New Caledonia to gain sailing experience. One of the most rewarding things we did together was untie the cables and live in anchorage for three months while sailing along the Coast of New Zealand.
However, she admitted: "No matter how well prepared we were, I was (and still is) very worried about one of the boys being injured or sick as we passed or in a distant place." Other than that, my self-doubt is a difficult obstacle to overcome.
Provide a safe space for children on the voyage
"We have a great support network and they support everything we do and we don't have any negative comments or criticisms about lifestyle choices, but I can't get rid of a certain level of self-doubt!"
"This lifestyle has a different risk factor than living on shore, so I think that's important in my mind." But once we started, a lot of the risks disappeared and we found the lifestyle really relaxing, comfortable and exciting. ”
Security control area
It is important to have the right equipment on board and to think through systems and routines, so that many sailings with young children will become easier. Sarah and Will Curry know this better than most. The couple lives ashore in Canada at a 50:50 ratio aboard their Arno/Jeanneau SO 43 "Kaiquest", while also running their company, Hydrovane, a company that makes automatic steering systems. They lived on a sailboat with the two-year-old twins from the time they were babies. This is a daunting proposition.
The Curry family was on their Kaiquest
"We brought 16 bottles (fed 8 times a day), plenty of infant formula, two car seats, a two-person stroller, and an energetic mini poodle – the love of a new mother excites us!" Sarah recalled. "For the first few months, we were tethered to the dock (and the washing machine)."
As the children grew, Sarah and Will adapted to different "safe zones" on board. She explains: "'The Pit' is a custom leeward cloth that runs through the table of our main salon, creating a baby rumble room."
"The 'cage' is the entire shell of our cockpit. This is crucial for toddlers and also guarantees 100% safety in the cockpit. We used Phifertex material, which is ideal in the tropics because it not only has sun protection, but also sees things through it, and is also durable enough to withstand two toddlers leaning over it. ”
Safety seats are priceless
"One of the most useful things I bought was two portable pop'n' sit chairs. We secured them in the cockpit so the twins could safely fasten their seat belts when needed. They had eaten in these chairs many times on the ship and in the restaurant. ”
Many parents recommend providing a dedicated place for children during mooring or maneuvering. Carolyn Simpson added: "Adding 'car seats' is one of our most important safety strategies. If Ritchie or I say "car seats," then the four boys would go (or be put on) dedicated bunks/car seats/seats that would separate them while we were dealing with anything that was thrown over to keep them safe. We prepared snack bags to ensure that the four of us were quiet during busy times, such as anchoring and docking.
Inspire the next generation
"Today we still use the same code name, but as the boys grew up, things changed. Jackson and Tasman may be asked to come up and help dock, or they will remain in their seats until they are told they can leave safely. ”
Having strict rules is key. Caroline recalled: "When we sailed on deck, the boys were all wearing life jackets and they were all tethered with safety ropes, which was the rule from day one, in any case, so when we went out to sea, everyone knew what to do. ”
"The boys don't leave the cockpit when we're on the way, and this rule applies as much as possible to adult crew members!" At the docks, the boys were not allowed to wander the deck without life jackets until they were able to confidently swim around the Moon River four times. ”
"During the voyage, no one is allowed in the cockpit without a life jacket and an adult escort." Lane added.
When sailing with children, it is crucial to simplify the system and the operation of the sails so that an adult can manage the boat. Susan Curry said: "Everything on the 'Kaiquest' was assembled so she could sail alone. One of us took care of the twins and the other took care of the boat. Sailing is an easy job. "The hydraulic rudder took over the steering wheel, which meant that the Kaiquest's main rudder and both rudder wheels were locked. I now fully understand this safety feature of sailing with children: the steering wheel does not swing erratically, and the fingers and arms are not caught. ”
reality
"I wanted us to know that when you were on a sailboat with the kids, you actually spent only 5 percent of your time sailing," Emily Lane recalls.
"The other 95% is spent on the mundane details of everyday life: feeding children, getting them to pick up toys, making sure they take a nap, getting them on and off the boat safely, arranging grocery deliveries, finding playgrounds and laundromats... Wait a minute. ”
"But we were all in a (relatively) small boat, only a few feet apart from each other. The kids loved being close to us and we loved being close to them. In the end, that's what really makes it worth living on board. ”
Entertainment on board
Due to limited storage space on board, large plastic playsets will not be an option. Popular tips for sailing with young children include:
Lego. Huge drawstring play mats/storage bags store items to keep them from entering the bilge.
Toolkit. "Real" toolboxes for children are popular among liveaboards. Simpson said: "We take them ashore and we can sit back and relax when they're going to create." ”
·“ The Survival Kit has a similar appeal: add flint stones, machetes, whistles, walkie-talkies, and hammock/study kits.
Diary. Even on "no school" days, many parents have their children draw or write a few words a day.
Process box. Glue sticks, lollipops, paint, paper, and modeling clay — though these things are usually only taken out when anchored.
Strange costumes. Loved by children, it is easy to store. If your kids dress up as cartoon characters, it's easier to watch them on shore too!
Water toys. Paddle boards, kayaks, water guns. Don't forget to bring your swimming goggles.
Tablets. Emily Lane explains that it's especially valuable on long cruises. "We treat it the same way we treat long-haul flights with toddlers. Everyday life is not static, there are many snacks to eat, and a lot of time to spend on the iPad. (Original author: Helen Fretter)
................. Like, just give me a "watching"..............