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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: 706jim]
#200243
07/17/2019 05:55 PM
07/17/2019 05:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
Christo
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 322
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I'd wait until she was at least 6. Don't have children, but my brother and I were sailing from the age of zero (ALL the time)...from the age we can remember we loved it and photos from before that time suggest we always did! So I would emphatically disagree with 706jimbo
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: 706jim]
#200312
07/18/2019 03:51 PM
07/18/2019 03:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
sail445
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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I'd wait until she was at least 6. The older the less work but if they can walk and move around it’s really not much of a hassle, it’s when the can’t walk and have to be held that it becomes a real nuisance for the person carrying them especially in bumpy seas.
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: Brian21097]
#200361
07/19/2019 08:40 AM
07/19/2019 08:40 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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PFD was already mentioned - I'd just add to get one that has a tether. We always have our son in his PFD and tethered when underway. He turned 4 in February and has been on a few trips at the age of 6 months to 1.5 years old. At 1.5 he helped us move our boat from St Lucia to the BVI with stops in Isle de Saints in Guadeloupe and St Kitts before ending in the BVI. Since then he's been on the boat back in the NE in Jamestown RI. We always make sure to bring things to keep him busy - toys, puzzle, books.. whatever they like.
Hoping she knows how to swim, but if she doesn't, get her in swim lessons right away. Very important skill to have in general and even more so when on a boat.
Matt
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: Brian21097]
#200379
07/19/2019 10:46 AM
07/19/2019 10:46 AM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 14 Breckenridge, CO
reverie
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 14
Breckenridge, CO
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We have lots of snacks and things to do in the cockpit before we set off. Everything is readily available. Duct tape pictures are fun to make. Bring a roll of duct tape and make animals etc! Playdough is another easy fun one to keep kids busy. Also, at four our daughter would probably have slept when underway! Cozy towel and a grandma to lay on and you are set! Something else we do is gauge how the kids are doing. We try to plan fairly short sails and/or have a few layover days at islands so they can play hard and then more likely to chill when sailing the next day! A fun playlist and dance party is always a hit too! Let the kids be the DJ! We also bring "kid size" sea bands just in case. There are also fun journals that you can get for that age group....they circle what the weather is like that day and draw pictures of sea life they have seen etc. Highly recommend! Bring stickers etc!
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: Brian21097]
#200541
07/21/2019 02:31 AM
07/21/2019 02:31 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
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Somethings we did, but we were also living on our own boat.
On a cat, a deck beer cooler works great as a pool. Or a small inflatable pool for the cockpit. Would rig our bosun chair via the clew of the headsail as a swing.
Found the best short people beaches are Pirates, Sidney's and Sandbox. Anegada has a drop right by the shore that an adult wouldn't really notice.
Most restaurants will offer a kids menu. Our daughter would usually sleep through dinner as dinner in BVI is usually too late for kids.
Pools at Leverick ,Scrub and Nanny Cay were big hits. Lilly had several birthday parties at YCCS in North Sound.
Generally there were other kids around for her to play with during happy hours.
The stack pack makes a great spot to nap.
Had adjustable shower curtain rods with fabric to use as a baby gate across her berth.
Mike
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: Brian21097]
#201594
08/01/2019 02:47 PM
08/01/2019 02:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 19 Virginia, USA
Pearson
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 19
Virginia, USA
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I'm planning a sailing trip for next July with 12, 11, and 8 yr. old kids. There's enough adults around, I'm not too worried about full pfd's because the kids are older, but they will have snorkel vests, with whistles (cheap from Amazon). I've witnessed both young and old, panic while swimming in deep water from the boat to some of the snorkel spots. I'm thankful my 12 yr. old started swimming lessons very young and could not care less about the water depth.
For the younger kids, I plan to use the dinghy with a rented boarding ladder, so I can ferry them back and forth over the deeper spots. Last thing I want is to have a guest get panicky far from the boat (again).
Finally, In my safety briefing (yep I actually do that with guests) we talk about a MOB situation, using the whistle, and the need to have one person keep their eyes on, and never take their eyes off, the MOB.
Have fun!
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: FesserNohair]
#205595
09/29/2019 09:25 AM
09/29/2019 09:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 938 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 938
Georgia & South Carolina
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We’re contemplating a bareboat charter next June with 6 adults (all with charter experience ranging from 15+ charters for Captain and Primary Wench (grandparents) down to one for the least experienced adults (parents)), plus 4 children from 2.5 to 6 years. This thread is very instructive for one or two kids, but would the advice be any different for 4 kids?
We’re thinking about a mid-40s cat. We’re especially interested in suggested sleeping arrangements for four cabins. Non-parents have indicated they’d bunk down with one of the children if necessary. Is there any alternative, e.g., bunk beds, main salon. . . ? Fesser My boat is in TMM fleet with Scuba Doo. With your crew, I do believe Scuba Doo is going to be your very best option. The pilot berths, especially with Scuba Doo's customized AC systems, AND hatch opening into forward cabins, makes these two "cabins" the perfect spots for the 6 and under crowd. I would emphasize with the pilot berths being utilized, be sure everyone has duffles and not hard(Bulky) luggage as there will be limited storage. The little ones will enjoy having their own space and does not permanently occupying the salon for naps, etc. Great family event. Epic Vacation they will remember forever!
Last edited by Deepcut; 09/29/2019 09:27 AM.
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Re: BVIs with 4 y/o daughter
[Re: FesserNohair]
#205719
09/30/2019 05:14 PM
09/30/2019 05:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 938 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 938
Georgia & South Carolina
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Scuba Doo do sound doable. Primary Wench (Granny) wants to know about the availability of netting for the lifelines. When we took our 3 year old and 7 year old (and another family 3 yr old and 6 yo), we had no netting. We did take comfortable life jackets (and swim shirts with a "collar") and the kids knew that it was just part of being on the boat/dingy. Off in the salon and a few times in cockpit. I don't think netting is needed.
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