Most people around here who have a boat, then a baby, see the boat maybe
once or twice over the next year or two before they sell it. YMMV.

--


Keith
__
Gravity is a Myth. The Earth Sucks!
"Joe Wood" wrote in message
...
We are expecting a blessed event in late February. I'm looking for
information on people's experiences in day sailing, weekend cruising,
and longer cruising with infants and very small children.

Considerations, Gear, Sources, etc.

Joe Wood
jlwood3 at erols dot com

Our boy was born 6/6/01 and by October had spent 10% of his entire
life (well, life after delivery anyway) aboard our boat. Infants are
easy. Wait unitl he is two and learns to do things like turn the
engine off!
Some things to think about:
You are now a single-hander. One person operates the boat and one
takes care of the baby. You need to be very flexible in your plans.
That 20 mile beat into 25 knots is no longer a good idea, if it ever
was. Short trips and plenty of shore time will keep everyone happy. A
good dinghy is essential. We have a 10' RIB and it is a Godsend for
loading mom, baby, baby carriage, and baby accessories. A good
carriage is great for shore trips. Most of all - have fun! The human
race survived thousands fo years without heat or air-conditioning.
Babies aren't all THAT fragile, just keep the little guys from getting
sunburned unless listening to them cry all night is your idea of fun.
Joe
For sailing baby pics, go to http://www.dellabarba.com/sailing/ and
scroll all the way down.

Almost forgot:
A portable DVD or VCR will do wonders to let babies watch Baby
Einstein or whatever they watch at home. Something familiar for them.

Joe

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 00:31:08 GMT, (Joe Della Barba
) wrote:

Almost forgot:
A portable DVD or VCR will do wonders to let babies watch Baby
Einstein or whatever they watch at home. Something familiar for them.

You mean like America's Cup replays? G My 28 month old boy
demonstrated today he knows the difference between a boat and a ship:

"Ship has THREE sticks, Daddy...our boat has ONE! Ships bring PIRATES!
ARRRGH!" (insert hilarity and running around waving arms).

I'm so proud sniff

R.

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004 00:31:08 GMT, (Joe Della Barba
) wrote:

Almost forgot:
A portable DVD or VCR will do wonders to let babies watch Baby
Einstein or whatever they watch at home. Something familiar for them.

You mean like America's Cup replays? G My 28 month old boy
demonstrated today he knows the difference between a boat and a ship:

"Ship has THREE sticks, Daddy...our boat has ONE! Ships bring PIRATES!
ARRRGH!" (insert hilarity and running around waving arms).

I'm so proud sniff

R.

Our boy was born 6/6/01 and by October had spent 10% of his entire
life (well, life after delivery anyway) aboard our boat. Infants are
easy. Wait unitl he is two and learns to do things like turn the
engine off!
Some things to think about:
You are now a single-hander. One person operates the boat and one
takes care of the baby. You need to be very flexible in your plans.
That 20 mile beat into 25 knots is no longer a good idea, if it ever
was. Short trips and plenty of shore time will keep everyone happy. A
good dinghy is essential. We have a 10' RIB and it is a Godsend for
loading mom, baby, baby carriage, and baby accessories. A good
carriage is great for shore trips. Most of all - have fun! The human
race survived thousands fo years without heat or air-conditioning.
Babies aren't all THAT fragile, just keep the little guys from getting
sunburned unless listening to them cry all night is your idea of fun.
Joe
For sailing baby pics, go to http://www.dellabarba.com/sailing/ and
scroll all the way down.

Almost forgot:
A portable DVD or VCR will do wonders to let babies watch Baby
Einstein or whatever they watch at home. Something familiar for them.

Joe

Interesting responses - I have some other questions...

I plan to bring my baby on our boat this summer (baby's due in June)
and when I talk to my husband and family about it they are all quite
set on waiting till the following year. I disagree.

My mother claims 'shaken baby syndrome', my husband claims 'just not
safe', on so on & on. What does everyone here recommend for life
jackets (does the head support get in the way when lying in a car
seat?) I plan to use a car seat on board, strapped to the boat - but
it is safe to not strap the baby in the car seat?

Any other suggestions?

What does everyone here recommend for life
jackets (does the head support get in the way when lying in a car
seat?) I plan to use a car seat on board, strapped to the boat - but
it is safe to not strap the baby in the car seat?


As a baby my daughter was always a sleep while underway. We left her asleep in
the dinnet with the table down and a net across the front that I made. It was
her play area when she was awake. When she got older she would stay awake
(about two). She would then sit in a car seat that we strapped to the front of
the pedestal in the cockpit. We did not strap her in the seat. For a lifejacket
you need one that will support the head with a float in the back of the head
and straps between the legs. A small kid can fall out the bottom of the jacket
without the straps. When your kid gets old enough, let your kid pick out the
jacket. They have to want to wear it.


Dick

What does everyone here recommend for life
jackets (does the head support get in the way when lying in a car
seat?) I plan to use a car seat on board, strapped to the boat - but
it is safe to not strap the baby in the car seat?


As a baby my daughter was always a sleep while underway. We left her asleep in
the dinnet with the table down and a net across the front that I made. It was
her play area when she was awake. When she got older she would stay awake
(about two). She would then sit in a car seat that we strapped to the front of
the pedestal in the cockpit. We did not strap her in the seat. For a lifejacket
you need one that will support the head with a float in the back of the head
and straps between the legs. A small kid can fall out the bottom of the jacket
without the straps. When your kid gets old enough, let your kid pick out the
jacket. They have to want to wear it.


Dick