Sail with children

Sailing with kids can be very fun and rewarding. And most children, both older and younger, thrive in the environment. It is often at a young age the foundation for a lifelong interest in sailing is created.

For all sailing, with or without children, a high level of safety is required. As a skipper you must be able to anticipate and mentally prepare yourself for what can (and can't) be expected. Above all, keep calm in all situations. Stressing and shouting is contagious, and soon the whole crew is stressed out. By asking yourself the questions you may prevent dangerous situations. What happens if I or someone falls overboard? Does everyone know how to reap all the sails, start the engine, lift the ¨rear ladder? What happens if we get a meet, if the engine stops, if the sail tears, in the absolute worst place!? This can be easily preventable by common sense. Do not cruise in narrow waters - if you are unaccustomed. If there are many boats or other things obstructing your view, be extra careful. Start the engine and take down the sails in time for docking, etc.. Many situations can also be practiced, such as MOB. (man overboard). Prestige does not belong under the concept of "good seamanship". Safety is about being able to predict and avoid accidents, for others and your own boat.

Actually there is no difference to fly with children. You have to have the right attitude to boating from the beginning. So that the small become comfortable with the boat and the sea from the very beginning. But there are still some tips:

All on board must have a lifejacket. There should never be any discussion about this. Explain, but to intimidate, how long it takes to turn the boat and how quickly you become chilled. Young children (5-6 years) and non-swimmers must have self floating lifejacket. Often children want to take off their vest inside the boat. This may of course be all right if they are together with an adult, or if they know how to put it back on once they are back on the deck. And do not forget the vest float ashore. After having been "trapped" all day, have kids get run off the piers. Preferably themselves! If the vest is on, you have a good compromise for both parties. Abroad, it is not uncommon that rental boats do not carry child lifevests on board. It is always safest to bring your own from home to assure the right size and type. 
Swim - let the kids try out the vest!

Some are gifted with a sense of balance that is not affected by high seas. You just have to congratulate these few. But if it starts rocking hard, be sure to bring everyone up on the deck. Dress properly in time, eat and drink somethink light and you'll be fine. Children usually cope quite well with rocking and hard weather.

As previously mentioned, the Adriatic Sea one of the calmer seas. Croatia, which probably has the world's best infrastructure with guest harbors, marinas, coves, is the perfect destination for sailing with children. Plan no route that you can not change. It should be fun to sail. For everyone! The least experienced sets the pace. Both for day trips and choices. Sometimes it's actually better to stay close to the shore and use the motor instead of sailing.
In Croatia, you don't have to make big leaps in one day. There is plenty to do at short distances.

Often it is possible to hang the children's trolley in the cabin ceiling. The calm swinging motion will have small children sleep as a rock. Car seats can often be fixed on deck so that the youngest ones are safe and happy. A sling may in some cases be preferable to the life jacket. At the age of three children will begin exploring on their own. Let them do it as much as possible. The children need to grow - even on board!

The bigger kids often want to be left alone. Let them be. Sometimes they are involved, sometimes not. It is perfectly okay! By providing children with new and challenging tasks, the sailing is kept the interesting.
Often I am the most experienced board. If I am, my job is to keep track of security and of course an extra eye on the navigation.

Two children are playing better than one! Bring a friend if the child has no siblings. Otherwise you should maybe think about not having too many long day trips ... Let the children play. They have imagination. Let them be! Please bring children's favorite - toys / books on board, there is usually a "little solace" in the first days. Teach your children to connect with kids on other boats. It tends to be great social bonding for children. Take to the seas, a bit string and a few hooks so the children have to do on the bridge. The bigger kids usually like to use the dinghy. This is obviously a good school to learn the basics of boating. Do not run over or around the boats that are adding. Keep in mind that the engine disturbs both animals and people, especially in natural harbors. Think of the bathers. Teach your children to show consideration. And keep them under surveillance. What do you do for example if the outboard machine stops and then not start? Be prepared!

When sailing in warm waters bring snorkles and facemasks. Buy one in silicone and tempered glass. Dive shops are usually always have high quality of their products. At boat shows, they often have promotional fares.
A "swimming costume", "T-shirt/shorts" may provide some cooling and will also protect quite well against sun, jellyfish and corals.

Think of the Sun: Bring plenty of suncream and apply richly on both yourself and the children. Even after a bath! Use a white linen or cotton shirt for extra protection.
Use polaroid glasses and hat. Drink plenty of water. Have a halfliter bottle at close range at all times. The bottles are practical and easy to refill from large (and cheap) jerry cans. Serve the fruit in pieces. Often!

Sure it sounds crazy but it's an excellent job for the kids when you have to wait for dinner time or Mom & Dad would sit at the pub late nights. Alternatively, take a bit of paper and pencils that they can occupy themselves with.

The key to a pleasant stay on board is the food. Hungry people with low blood sugar cause irritation. Add a lot of effort into preparing the food and help each other. Let everyone be involved in selecting dishes. It may be appropriate to prepare the children's favorite dishes as dinner the first few days on board. Let the kids buy bread on the bridge or fresh seafood from the fishing boat that has just came into port... 
No matter how big the boat is, life on board is quite simple. Much is about eating, socializing, sleeping and sailing. This, together with the social dynamics that arises from staying in a confined space is perhaps why many of us love boating.!?

But do not forget to go ashore and eat sometimes. Many of the city's star chefs move out into the archipelago in the summer. Let the kids choose and even try freely. Usually taverns are nice enough to make a "child portion", even of the most expensive dishes. And if this is not the case, see it as education. The children will never forget when they tried lobster au gratin or fresh oysters for the first time. And it is something we sailors like to convey to the next generation