| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CT_girl |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 10:28:57
I am new to the forum so thanks in advance for your help. My husband & I just bought a boat and love it! But we have 2 children that I desperately want to take out with us...but I have heard horrible stories and am afraid that it is not safe for them. If they fall in and we don't realize it, I am afraid we would never be able to find them. Any suggestions? |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| j-d |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 13:42:17
If you have not done it already, check your state's rules for lifejacket wear by youngsters. Most states require them on kids below a specified age, 7 in FL, 10 if I recall in GA, I don't know what they all are, but in offshore/non-state waters monitored by USCG it's 13. So always comply with that at a minimum.
Best way to make a child want to stay in a lifejacket is to wear them as parents. |
| midway |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 12:30:31
I have grandkids that go with us in our 185 all the time, we live on the water so when they hit the back porch heading to the boat life jackets go on before they get off the porch and granny will not let them take off the life jackets until we have returned to the back porch. They are 8 and 9 now and are used to that fact, they have a ball and so do we. |
| CT_girl |
Posted - Sep 04 2008 : 09:58:58
Well it (the [url=http://www.autotether.com]autotether[/url]) came here quicker than I thought...so we were able to take the kids out before school started. We tested it and it worked great! They loved being on the boat and I actually felt they were safe. |
| CT_girl |
Posted - Aug 25 2008 : 11:01:23
I am just over paranoid. I will be watching them like a hawk but even looking away for a second they can get into trouble. The people at autotether emailed me and offered a 15% off coupon if I purchased from their website ( http://www.autotether.com ). So I ended up buying one and will let you all know how it goes. But thank you again for all your help. |
| walterv |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 22:03:38
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG
hundreds of thousands of young kids ahve been taken on boats as they were growing up and nothing happened to them. it all comes down to the parents.
hard to answer without knowing what size boat... teh precautions to take are different between a 18' Sea Ray bowrider or 63' Express!
both my kids were on the boat as young as 6 to 8 weeks old, I had a 25 footer back then, no problems.
common sense is the best safety device!
DITTO
Be a parent, you don't need nor will a battery operated device work as well as being a parent.
Get the kids use to wearing PFDs, my father did that to me, I did that with my kids. At least my kids had ones that were comfortable, when I was a kid, they were not comfortable.
Also, when I was growing up a "CT girl" was not a good thing :)
Walter |
| PascalG |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 21:44:47
hundreds of thousands of young kids ahve been taken on boats as they were growing up and nothing happened to them. it all comes down to the parents.
hard to answer without knowing what size boat... teh precautions to take are different between a 18' Sea Ray bowrider or 63' Express!
both my kids were on the boat as young as 6 to 8 weeks old, I had a 25 footer back then, no problems.
common sense is the best safety device! |
| BJL |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 21:12:22
quote:
Originally posted by CT_girl
I guess I can start them out by wearing the PFDs when they are just playing in the water to get used to them. The kids are 3 and 5. I guess I will have to look more into the autotether and turtle alarm...I just want to make sure it is worth the $.
Can you really put a price tag on your kids? If it gives you peace of mind and safety it's worth the cost in my opinion. |
| lil red truck |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 17:31:43
Hi CT girl. Welcome.
SteveG is right. If they fall into the prop, knowing they're in the water won't be much help. What model SeaRay? |
| CT_girl |
Posted - Aug 22 2008 : 08:32:44
I guess I can start them out by wearing the PFDs when they are just playing in the water to get used to them. The kids are 3 and 5. I guess I will have to look more into the autotether and turtle alarm...I just want to make sure it is worth the $. |
| SteveG |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 14:00:07
How old are the children? Keep them in front of you, or right next to you - never behind you.
Get them used to the PFDs too. |
| blouderback |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 13:49:45
I've never tried any device like that for the boat. However, I had a pool alarm that we would float on the pool that would sound an alarm when disturbed. It never went off, but it kept my wife happy. |
| CT_girl |
Posted - Aug 20 2008 : 13:17:51
We actually bought a used Sea Ray...my husband picked it out so I have no idea the size/make. I hope that helps a little more. We mostly go out on the ocean but sometimes to the lake. blouderback - Have you tried autotether or safety turtle? Are they easy to use?
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| blouderback |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:43:23
Google the "SAFETY TURTLE ALARM SYSTEM", or check out this unit at boatfix.com:
http://www.boatfix.com/shop/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=33199 |
| Woodsong |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:40:33
Well, first, welcome to the forums. What type of boat did you buy? what size, etc.? Where do you boat and what type of boating are you talking about? We spend tons and tons of time on our sedan with our 2 small ones (currently 6 and 4.5 but been doing it since oldest was a newborn). it can be done very safely if you are always aware and make sure they understand the rules. Give us more info and you can get more practical advice.
Again, welcome to the forums and congrats on the new boat!!
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| blouderback |
Posted - Aug 18 2008 : 11:38:18
PFDs, and strict rules.
Also, there are devices that you can attach to the kids that alert you when they get wet.
Welcome to the world of boating! Please provide some more details about the boat, and include any pictures! |
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