Pontoons and toddlers

[Pwatton]

Any advice? We had our son on the pontoon last year at three months old. He was great last year but he wasn't mobile. We had him in a life jacket for boarding ect but not for the entire trip. What do other parents do? We have a slip this year so that is a lot easier. Do you make them wear the life jacket the entire time? Our boating style is good weather only and we slowly cruise. Just curious.

[HandymanHerb]

Life jackets on at all times on the water, same for friends drinking and feeling good, better safe than sorry.

I keep a throwable laying by the helm with a 30 foot small line hooked to it and the toon, if someone gets in trouble I can throw it to them right away without thinking or looking for something, then you can pull them back to the boat, again may never need it, but it is just laying there out of the way, just in case

[ROLAND]

I'm not positive about this, but I think this is the law pertaining to Louisiana boaters. " Every person 16 years or younger on board a Class A(less than 16 feet) or Class 1(16 to less than 26 feet) motorboat or vessel shall wear a coast guard approved life jacket or life preserver while such outboard motorboat or vessel is underway. At least this was the law a few years back, not sure if it's been revised since then..

[lemans81]

I have four kids and all of them wear vests at all times, once we leave the shore vests go on. With that said, when we go down its always with my mom/stepdad and my best friend, which leaves us better off than most. In order of skills: Stepdad-Respitory therapist in an ER, Wife-so many certs which include childcare/cpr, Me- Former certified lifeguard and 15 years cpr certified, Best-friend former lifeguard/swimteam/used to have cpr training. We probably have better than average odds if things go wrong but why risk it.

I will say I have spend the extra for neoprene vests, the kids seem much more comfortable in them than they do nylon.

[Mosnowman]

Definitely on at all times. In Missouri every child under I believe age 8 must have a jacket on while under way. "Wet" toddlers are very slippery and a jacket will keep them afloat.

Have fun...and try to relax!

[Capt Sully]

Everyone should wear a PFD. In our State Ga. anyone 12yrs or younger must wear a PFD while on board, even if your in a cove and anchored. Be Smart and Safe.

[Hawk_308]

With my 2 year old , Life jacket goes on before walking out on the dock to load up and straps go on all gates once loaded . While underway she ether sits with me or my wife till we stop .

[Papa Joe]

Life jackets on my grand kids when their on the dock or the boat. My grand daughter has no fear and likes to live close to the edge. Last summer she got a little to close to the edge and fell off the dock.

[MH Hawker]

I tie a rope around the gate so it wont open. other that that the above apply s.

[BobG]

All the kids I've had on my boat were over 21. Their listening skills are not as good as toddlers!

[Cowracer]

Check you local laws. In Missouri, children under 7 must wear a PFD at all times, unless confined in a fully enclosed area of a boat.

Tim

[Bamaman]

My daughter potty trained on our pontoon boat, and she rolled around on her walker.
Her 6 year old son potty trained and rolled around on his walker in the same pontoon boat.

And every kid under a certain age should wear a life preserver per the law--or anytime their on the pier/dock. And the should all have swimming classes as soon as possible.

I just wish my grandson would let me drive my new Bennington tritoon. He's now the captain.

[BobL]

I agree with others PLUS I would suggest that the child have the appropriate life jacket for their size (they have them with leg straps) and make sure the life jacket has a good place to get a hook on the back. If you don't have one of these for mooring (and grabbing the back of a life jacket), then I suggest you make the investment:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... gi?i=38798

[jediger]

Every child wears a pfd before even getting on the dock in our family. On the boat, if a child is present then EVERYONE wears a pfd. Modelling is important. I might get lazy if I'm out alone fishing and take it off, but if I'm with the kids, then I need to tough it out.

[Gonefishing]

Check the state laws. Nc children have to wear a life jacket all the time while on a boat. Me everyone on mine wears a life jacket. I purchased the nice easy fit light weight and everyone wears it.