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Re: Upcoming sailing trip with kids
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#126814
04/09/2017 10:53 AM
04/09/2017 10:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
BoatDrinks2
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 69
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Re: Upcoming sailing trip with kids
[Re: StormJib]
#126818
04/09/2017 11:02 PM
04/09/2017 11:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
dkenny
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
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We did our first trip with kids last year (8 & 10). Great time and going back next week.
Sleep aboard the night before. Let's everyone get settled somewhat and chance to teach/explain the boat without any pressure of also trying to do provisioning, boat check-out and get off the dock right away.
Short trip first day. We went to Cooper Island. . .only an hour away so everyone got used to being on the boat and easily snorkeling (it was very calm).
Conservative first snorkeling. Started okay but after a few minutes my son's mask became an issue. Straps needed to be adjusted. . .he was still close to the boat so after a little salt water in the eyes all was okay. Ten minutes later my daughter was having issues with her snorkel. We were further from the boat, but it was very calm so I was able to fix pretty easily. If we had gone off the dinghy or in rougher conditions, I think it would have been a bad first experience. By the second day they had everything figured out and were constantly in the water.
Flexible - both with the itinerary and daily schedule.
Dinners - Agree 100% with StormJib. All day in the sun makes for tired kids by dinner time. Except for the Leverick BBQ (recommended), we never had a set schedule for dinner. It usually ended up being some combination of a snack after anchoring, appetizers at happy hour and a little snack when back on the boat. . .depended on how everyone was feeling.
Night at the dock. We loved Leverick (others suggest Scrub). Nice to be able to get on/off the boat without the dinghy, do some provisioning, top off water, take a real shower, etc. We also rented a car and spent a day exploring Virgin Gorda (and the baths) which we really enjoyed. We found a little ice cream shop in Spanish Town (Yum Yums) which really hit the spot.
First Aid - Certain items are hard to find once away from Road Town. . .we wish we had children's advil and pepto, aloe, and itch cream last trip.
Down Time - Don't schedule too much every day. We discovered my 8 year old son was using some of the down time to sit at the salon table write several pages in a journal every day. What a great keepsake to have.
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Re: Upcoming sailing trip with kids
[Re: BoatDrinks2]
#126819
04/10/2017 11:28 AM
04/10/2017 11:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105 New York, NY, USA
pk5352
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
New York, NY, USA
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We've just returned from our 4th charter with kids in last 5 years. 2 families, with 3 kids. Kids are now 11/12/13. They were 6/7/8 when we first took them. Each trip has been better than the last. Highlights for kids:
Snorkeling- Eastern shore of anchorage at Norman. Cistern Point at Cooper is great- smaller ones can hang nearer the dinghy line while older/stronger swimmers can venture towards end of point where current can get a bit stronger.
Willy T for early (!) lunch before the party begins, and a few jumps off the top deck has always been a hit.
Spending a night Dockside at Scrub was a big hit this year (though not cheap). Leverick is always fun too, and a much better deal. Both have pools.
We love hanging by Saba Rock in North Sound. Saba rock itself is great, but also have option to go to shoreside stuff at Bitter End (dinghy fleet, pool, beaches), or dinghy over to Prickly Pear for some beach time.
They have also really enjoyed hanging at Cow Wreck on Anegada.
Bubbly Pool on JVD, though after 3 years my kids were kind of over it.
This year we made a stop at Sandy Spit instead. Snorkeled in, circumnavigated the island and hung out for a bit, which was great fun for all.
Last year we all finished our PADI certifications so the kids are now all divers which has added a great dimension to the whole thing, though they need to be 10 to do that.
Our routine is to get going early, keep our sails relatively short, and be where we are going by lunch so we have afternoons to explore, or chill.
Its a great trip for kids. Have fun!
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Re: Upcoming sailing trip with kids
[Re: pk5352]
#126820
04/10/2017 11:50 AM
04/10/2017 11:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 397 Colorado
stormster
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 397
Colorado
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I wrote up some of our thoughts about sailing with kids: http://bvibound.com/sailing-with-kids/I echo what others have said about them getting really hungry and tired. Pack lots of snacks! And don't forget time to just hang at the beaches. And be sure to hit Saba rock at happy hour and feed the tarpons!
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