Ribing with Children

[Takson]

Hi there,

I am currently a Yachtie with no sailboat and limited access to getting on the water, not a good combination. I also have a young family who find the cruising legs on a Yacht drag on a bit. My daughter is only 21 months old so she doesn't actually say it, but keeping her pinned down in the cockpit is driving My wife an me nuts.

We have had the pleasure of doing a 2 day coastal cruise in Sydney in a RIB which has opened my eyes completely! All of us giggled like 2 year olds over the waves and went for 1 - 1.5 hour hops beforegetting off and having a run around on a beach or in a cove.

Does anyone else go out on their boats with children this young and do you have any specific safety equipment for them over and above Lifejacket/harness?

I am now looking to do some training in the spring and then chopping in the 2 door family convertible for diesel tractor and boat in the summer next year.

Am I crazy or have I just had my eyes opened to what we can do while I wait for the children to get big enough to enjoy yachts and RIBs together?

[Nick Hearne]

Hi & welcome, I have 3 girls & they all started even younger!
Just used Life jackets, for when they were very young we used a old push chair with the wheels cut off as we could strap them in to it with the chair strapped down to the deck!
Mined you it would have been a lot easier if I had had my present boat! No tubes but nice high sides, lots of open deck & seats + a very small 2 birth cabin & it even has a canvas top to enclose the back to keep us all worm & dry!

Go for it have fun the kids were always happy & normally fell asleep with the engine noise!

[Tom]

When I was growing up, My mum and dad had a car chr re upholstered in a water proof PVC leather type fabric and had that attached to the normal jockey seat in the Delta. Cant really remember it to be honest, but I have seen pictures of it and it did look quite good, and I'm still alive today so held me in ok.

[Joanna H-S]

Originally Posted by Takson

Does anyone else go out on their boats with children this young and do you have any specific safety equipment for them over and above Lifejacket/harness?

Hello Takson,

I also am a 'yachtie' currently in Italy and have been a 'yachtie' for about 10 years now (since I met my partner). 3 years ago I had the...ummm...delight! of having a bouncing baby girl which we both thought would spoil our fun of yachting for many years. But it didnt. He (and I stress HE!) devised a way of roping her carry-cot down to the deck and strapped an umbrella to it to save the sun and water on her!! Her first trip out was when she was about 6 or 7 weeks old!!
We both believe that since she was brought up like this that it helped her now be extremely confident on the yacht and happily walks around up-top. She also had her first (intentional!) dive into the sea off the yacht last weekend which was a very proud moment for us both!
Here's hoping our next bundle of joy due next year will be equally as good on water.

Tom, do you have any pictures? It does sound rather ingenious!!
I trust there was no duck-tape used either?! lol
Your invitation to Australia still stands aswell. Just let me know when you can both come over in the new year sometime perhaps.

Joanna HS.

[Rogue Wave]

As the kids get older and getthe freedom of the boat try to coverall the ribs stainless toobing with pipe insulation. Their heads are kinda the right height for contacting seat backs etc

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

a very small 2 birth cabin thumbs:

musta been a struggle getting the midwife in

BTW we seem to be boatyard neighbours

[Ian M]

I was sought of in the same position as yourselves, allthough for me having had many years on RIBs as a diver the decision between sail and power took milliseconds. My offspring are older that yours (8 and 12), but they still get terribly impatient if we are to go somewhere in a boat. "Are we there yet" is not reserved for cars
If my experience is anything to go by, get a RIB, you will not regret it.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

musta been a struggle getting the midwife in

BTW we seem to be boatyard neighbours

That's spell checker for you!!

Yes one of these days we might even meet! Was down yesterday draining the water & putting the cover on, got soaked through!
Are you in the first building on your right as you come through the gates?

[Black]

Takson - you are fitting the bill of a Hairy Chimp very well.

If thats you over in Aus at the moment let me know.

Best
Alex

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Joanna H-S

Hello Takson,

I also am a 'yachtie' currently in Italy and have been a 'yachtie' for about 10 years now (since I met my partner). 3 years ago I had the...ummm...delight! of having a bouncing baby girl which we both thought would spoil our fun of yachting for many years. But it didnt. He (and I stress HE!) devised a way of roping her carry-cot down to the deck and strapped an umbrella to it to save the sun and water on her!! Her first trip out was when she was about 6 or 7 weeks old!!
We both believe that since she was brought up like this that it helped her now be extremely confident on the yacht and happily walks around up-top. She also had her first (intentional!) dive into the sea off the yacht last weekend which was a very proud moment for us both!
Here's hoping our next bundle of joy due next year will be equally as good on water.

Tom, do you have any pictures? It does sound rather ingenious!!
I trust there was no duck-tape used either?! lol
Your invitation to Australia still stands aswell. Just let me know when you can both come over in the new year sometime perhaps.

Joanna HS.

Hhhmmm, Now do I really want to disclose pictures of me, 20 years ago... I wouldnt have anything on the computer, but was just a traditional car seat, next time I see dad which will be at Earls Court Boat Show I will see if he has a pic, by which time this thread will prob be finished.

Tom

PS Invite to other side of the world sounds great-will PM you later!