7 Things to Teach Your Kids About Boating Before Hitting the Water

Boating with your kids can be an amazing experience, creating lifelong memories and teaching valuable skills. But before you cast off, it’s important to ensure your kids know essential boating basics to keep everyone safe and confident on the water. Here’s a breakdown of the top 7 things you should teach your children about boating before hitting the water.

1. Boating Safety Basics

Safety is paramount when you’re on the water, and it’s important to start teaching your kids the fundamentals of boating safety early. Instill the “rules of the water,” such as staying seated when the boat is moving, always wearing a life jacket, and knowing what to do in case of an emergency.

What to Teach:

  • Life Jackets: Ensure they always wear a life jacket that fits properly. Look for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that are appropriate for their weight.
  • Price: Kid’s life jackets range from $20 to $60.
  • Example: The Stearns Youth Boating Vest (~$30) is affordable and comes with a grab handle for added safety.
  • Emergency Procedures: Teach them to recognize a distress signal and practice man-overboard drills.
  • Boating Signals: Help them learn basic hand signals and horn blasts that indicate turns, stopping, or docking.

2. Understanding the Boat’s Layout

To ensure your child feels confident on board, they should have a good grasp of the boat’s layout. Show them around the boat so they know where key safety features like fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and flotation devices are stored.

What to Teach:

  • Safety Gear Locations: Point out where the life jackets, fire extinguisher, and first-aid kit are kept, so they know where to find them in an emergency.
  • Engine and Steering Controls: Depending on their age, show them how the boat is controlled, such as where the throttle, steering wheel, and engine start/stop controls are located.

This builds confidence and can even get them excited about the mechanics of the boat.

3. Respect for Marine Life and the Environment

Boating gives kids a firsthand experience with nature, and it’s essential they learn to respect the environment. Teach them the importance of being good stewards of the water, respecting marine life, and minimizing environmental impact.

What to Teach:

  • Do Not Litter: Always keep trash in a designated bin and dispose of it onshore.
  • Wildlife Etiquette: Show respect for wildlife by keeping a safe distance from birds, fish, and marine mammals.
  • Clean Boating Practices: Explain why it’s important not to pollute the water with oil, gasoline, or other waste.

Tip: Explain how even small actions like keeping the boat clean or choosing eco-friendly boating gear can make a difference.

4. Weather Awareness and Water Conditions

Weather can change rapidly while you’re out boating, so teach your kids to pay attention to weather conditions. They should understand what safe and unsafe weather looks like, and how to react if the conditions worsen.

What to Teach:

  • Weather Signs: Teach them the basics of cloud formation, wind direction, and what stormy weather looks like.
  • Water Conditions: Explain how to identify calm water versus choppy water, and why it’s important to avoid boating in rough conditions.

Use apps like Windy or MyRadar to demonstrate how to check weather conditions before heading out.

5. The Importance of Staying Hydrated and Protected from the Sun

Boating can be both exhilarating and exhausting, and your kids need to be mindful of staying hydrated and protecting their skin from the sun.

What to Teach:

  • Hydration: Remind them to drink water regularly. Children can be so engrossed in activities that they forget to stay hydrated.
  • Sun Protection: Make applying sunscreen a habit and ensure they wear hats, sunglasses, and UPF-rated clothing.
  • Price: Kid’s boating hats range from $10 to $25, while UPF shirts range from $15 to $40.
  • Example: Columbia Kids’ PFG UPF 50+ Shirts (~$30) offer excellent protection against UV rays.

6. How to Tie Basic Boating Knots

Learning how to tie basic boating knots is a fun and essential skill for kids, especially for those who are a bit older. It helps them contribute to the docking and mooring process, teaching responsibility and the technical side of boating.

What to Teach:

  • Bowline: A simple knot that is great for securing a boat to a dock.
  • Cleat Hitch: Teach them how to tie a boat to a dock cleat with this easy, secure knot.

Tip: Practice knot-tying onshore with a piece of rope to build their confidence.

7. Boat Courtesy and Etiquette

Boat etiquette is just as important as the rules of the road. Teach your kids to be considerate of others on the water, especially when sharing space with other boaters or at a marina.

What to Teach:

  • No Wake Zones: Explain what a “no wake zone” is and why it’s important to reduce speed when passing through these areas.
  • Boating Courtesy: Teach them to wave to other boaters, respect others’ space, and avoid creating a large wake near smaller boats or swimmers.
  • Noise Levels: Remind them that boat engines can be loud, so it’s important to keep noise levels down to respect other boaters and wildlife.

Bonus Tip: Introduce Them to Boating Gear and Technology

Getting kids involved with boating technology can make their experience more enjoyable and engaging. Introduce them to basic equipment such as GPS navigation, depth finders, and radios.

  • Boating GPS Devices: Start with simple systems like the Garmin Striker 4 (~$120), which is an entry-level fish finder and GPS.
  • Radio Communications: Teach them how to use the boat’s VHF radio for emergencies and communication with marinas.

Specs Overview:

  • Garmin Striker 4 GPS: 3.5-inch color display, easy-to-use keypad, dual-frequency sonar, and GPS mapping.
  • Price: $120
  • Uses: Ideal for introducing kids to navigation and sonar technology.

Conclusion

Teaching your kids these 7 essentials before heading out on the water sets the stage for a fun, safe, and educational boating experience. With a solid foundation in boating safety, environmental stewardship, weather awareness, and proper boating etiquette, your children will be prepared to enjoy boating while staying safe. And who knows—maybe this early introduction to boating will inspire a lifelong passion for the water!

Happy Boating!

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Read 5 Reasons You Should Buy a Boat this Summer until we meet in the next article. 

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