BAREBOATING With the KIDDOS

With some planning and creativity, family time on board can take vacation fun to a whole new level.

- CHRIS CASWELL

A bareboat charter is perfect for kids. It's fun, it's educational, and it bonds parents and children. Rediscovering the joys of boating through the eyes of a child is a remarkable experience that transports you back to your own first days on the water.

But, as with everything involving kids, you'll need to plan ahead for success.

Set the ground rules long in advance, reinforce them before you cast off, and offer subtle reminders during the charter. The most important rule is that the skipper's word is law. With two families aboard, parents should sort out the various issues in private. Bottom line: One person is in charge.

Life jackets are essential, but how and when you require them is up to each parent. In my case, all preteens have the run of the cockpit and the cabin without life jackets. Set one foot on deck, and the life jacket rule is in force. Adults should set a good example by wearing their own PFDs so that the kids don't feel like outcasts.

Before you depart for your charter, find comfortable life jackets for the kids: Wearing bulky PFDs is a quick way to turn a swell trip into a hell trip. Life jackets for youngsters should be lightweight and flexible for their active lifestyle, and ideally have colors that are "cool" designs. With a comfortable PFD, kids won't think twice about wearing it constantly.

If possible, have them wear the life jackets before the trip to make sure there aren't any chafing issues.

Kids also need nonslip shoes just like adults, and they need sun protection in the form of hats, sunglasses (with cord!), sunblock and protective clothing. And, to fully integrate them into the "crew," they should have their own sailing gloves as well.