1 August 2021 - It’s a sailing holiday in Croatia with the family. The sailing, sea air, and sun will be great for the kids, and there are some special considerations to make when sailing with children on board - especially toddlers. It also means a little extra planning and forethought, so here are SIX things to think about when planning and preparing to go on a sailing holiday with the kids:
Life jackets (PFD or personal flotation device)
While most charter companies will offer children's PFD, most do not have the correct sized PFD for children under 5 years old. Some may and it is always a good idea to check with your charter company to see what sizes they have in stock. If you have a toddler, it is highly recommended to buy a PFD that you know fits from a local supplier. When looking for a PFD for a baby or toddler, there are a few things to consider.
- A crotch strap is a NECESSITY in any personal flotation device for a child, as it prevents the PFD from riding up over the child's head.
- Think about comfort. Kids love to wiggle out of anything that they are restrained by that is digging into them or scratchy and uncomfortable. If their PFD fits them snugly and comfortably, then they are far less likely to fight you about wearing it.
- A wide V-shaped neoprene crotch strap won’t ride up as easily, and contoured panels, adjustable drapes and neck support will all contribute to a much better fit.
- Fit is important in keeping a child's head above water, so do not get a too-big PFD thinking he or she will grow into it.
- CE approved: All European life jackets must carry the CE mark.
- Make sure that this is all checked and fitted before you leave home, so that you and your baby are well prepared.
A good tip is to actually introduce the PFD to your child as a plaything well before you step on-board the boat. This will help your child create a positive association with the PFD before the sailing holiday even begins!
Safety Netting
Another safety feature that you can choose to have installed is safety netting. This is an add-on that most charter companies offer for an extra charge. What this means is that netting is installed down each side of the boat on deck, tied to the lifelines and stanchions. This means that small animals and children are far less likely to slip on the deck and fall overboard. And yes, “far less likely” and not “impossible” because nothing is 100% effective. It is strongly recommended that children are always under adult supervision when moving around the boat, whether safety netting is installed or not!
Sun Protection
If you are thinking of a sailing holiday during the peak months of summer, protecting your child from the sun should be a priority. Ensure that the boat that you are on has plenty of shade to sit/sleep/play in. Shade is always a much better sun safety strategy than simply relying on sunscreen. And with the sun also reflecting off the water, be mindful that your baby will likely soak up more than their usual amount of Vitamin D, and all that goes along with that. Don’t forget to pack plenty of your preferred brand of child-friendly sunscreen. Make sure that you have a good full-coverage sun hat!
Water Water Water
Children dehydrate FAST. Much faster than adults. So it’s important to keep a strict eye on how much your wee one drinks. Having a bottle that bub can constantly drink from is going to keep the little one hydrated, and water can easily be flavoured naturally with local fruits. Good advice for adults and children alike, staying hydrated can actually help you avoid seasickness too. Which is always a good thing!
Play and Toys
An amused baby is much easy to sail with than a bored, cranky baby. Bringing a couple of favourite toys from home (make sure that they are waterproof and not too precious, just in case they end up in the Adriatic!) is a great way to help keep your child appeased and amused. Having a foldable or inflatable paddling pool that you can fill up and have in the shade of the cockpit is also a fantastic and safe way to keep your child occupied during long passages or hot days. Making sure that there is at least one safe play space for your child on the boat that you are chartering will make everyone’s sailing holiday much more enjoyable!
And don't forget water toys! An inflatable water float is great to help your child feel safe in the water. Stand-up paddleboards are also great water toys that kids and adults alike can use as giant floats. NOTE: If you do buy an inflatable toy, please make sure that it is firmly secured when not in use so that it does not escape and end up floating in the Adriatic Sea.
Trust Your Skipper
Your Skipper is in charge of the boat and thus, in charge of the safety of your family on-board. If you have additional crew on-board, ensuring that they are child-friendly can make or break your holiday. Extra eyes to watch out for bub, extra hands to make sure that any dangerous lockers are locked up or to catch bub if he/she is old enough to start climbing. There is a myriad of situations where the more baby minders on board, the better for everyone’s sanity.
If you can arrange to talk with your skipper prior to your trip. You should feel comfortable asking your Skipper and crew questions if you are unsure of anything. The more comfortable you are, the more at ease your child is going to be, so having a good crew is a must!
Of course, there are many more aspects to consider when traveling with a child. Booking with a crew who specializes in families with small children can help to alleviate a lot of stress and worry. 45 Degrees Sailing are one such company that love to have small children on-board! Small details can often make a huge difference in the success of a sailing holiday with small children, which Nick and Mahina from 45 Degrees Sailing know well!
Check out their Youtube channel for testimonials, like this one from David and Katherine Liola and their three kids.
If you have questions on anything sailing in Croatia, feel free to ask below in the comments or check out Total Croatia, Sailing in Croatia: Your One-Stop-Shop for everything sailing.
If you’re looking to experience an amazing family sailing holiday that keeps you wanting more, find more details here about 45 Degrees Sailing
For more about Travel in Croatia follow TCN's dedicated pages on Travel.
