| Yacht Charters can often be amazing holidays, but | | | | suggestions: |
| many people are nervous about chartering with | | | | - Define specific safety rules and make them very |
| children. They worry that, aside from the obvious | | | | clear as soon as you get on the boat. Suggestions |
| safety reasons, the kids will also be out of control | | | | are: always wear life vests when not in the cockpit |
| because of insufficient space on board for the kids | | | | or indoors, never leave a boat without permission |
| to play. But from experiencing many people who | | | | from an adult, no running or horsing around, no one |
| have chartered yachts with kids, this is almost never | | | | up front without an adult. |
| the case if properly planned. In fact children normally | | | | - Kids are never in a dinghy alone, and should not use |
| love the experience of being on a yacht, respect the | | | | the motor unless they are over 16 |
| rules, and are so fascinated by the experience that | | | | - Make the sailing distances short, and give them |
| they are much better behaved than they would be if | | | | plenty of time to play and run on the beach |
| cooped up in a hotel room! | | | | - Rent a windsurfer or kayak, they'll love it, and you |
| The boat choice is critical. We normally recommend | | | | can pull them behind the dinghy for endless hours of |
| catamarans, because they offer so much space, | | | | fun |
| both inside and outside. Catamarans also don't rock | | | | - If you're chartering a bareboat, hire a skipper to |
| back and forth, making it a much more pleasurable | | | | allow you to concentrate on your family, not on |
| cruise for the entire family, and there are no | | | | where to drop anchor |
| dangerous stairs to get from the cockpit to the | | | | - Involve them and help them learn about the boat |
| galley. Once the kids adapt to the boat, they quickly | | | | and how to sail. Show them the charts, instruments, |
| learn that they will have plenty to do - a new beach | | | | switches, winches, ropes. Have them use the winch |
| every day, jumping off the back, snorkeling after | | | | to tighten a sail and push the button for the anchor. |
| turtles and fish, deserted islands to explore. It's what | | | | The more you involve them, the more they'll learn to |
| kids are made for! | | | | love boats and sailing. |
| When chartering with children here are some basic | | | | |