Kids on a Sailing Charter

If you’re considering a charter and considering taking your kids – DO IT.

Kids have been sailing the high seas for thousands of years. Yes, there are some safety things to think about but why deny your children the very zest of life? I’ve met hundreds of people at boat shows who say they are going to wait until their kids get older, then take them. My belief is that kids should just think that sailing and getting in and out of the dingy and going ashore and fishing and all that there is to offer are just part of the way life is. Broaden their horizons when they are young. Build their self-esteem by letting them drive the dinghy, pull on lines, and involve them in the running of the boat. Get them to learn the sailing vocabulary. IE name 10 things on the boat.

Some other considerations:

• Spend some time before the trip getting a very comfortable life jacket.
• Long sailing days aren’t really too kid-friendly
• One person at all times has to be 100% responsible for keeping the kid in sight.
• Pick a crew that will be kid-friendly

Another thing to consider for their comfort is to charter a catamaran. If kids are comfortable and not scared, then they will want to go with you again and again. Scare them once and you’ll be dragging them on your vacations or waiting till they go to college. Here they are in Bora Bora.