Kids and boats
 

I am trying to decide what type of boat to purchase. Most of our boating will be on Lake Michigan out of Grand Haven and Holland area. My wife and I have 3 young kids (ages 7, 4, and 1.5). We are trying to decide between a 28' offshore type boat like a pantera or a 24' to 26' boat like a searay sundeck or a Cobalt 263. Cabin cruisers are not an option.

Anyone have any experience with young kids and offshore style boats? Im not sure running 80mph with three kids on board is very safe or fun for them. The offshore would be my choice but Im not sure if the kids would enjoy it. The cobalt could do everything the pantera would do except high speed and handling big waves plus it could pull a tube if the kids wanted, not sure if a pantera could do that or not.

I know ultimately I need to make the choice but is there anyone who wants to share their own personal experience with boats and kids.

Much appreciated!

Boated my whole life with my children on board. Great family time. We always had some form of a runabout with as big of a cabin as we could afford. We had from Rinkers at the beginning to Baja's to Fountain's to Donzi's, etc. I recommend deciding how much overnight boating you will do and find the boat that will meet those needs. Day boating on Lake Michigan is what we have done for years and a nice cabin with some amenities is very helpful to keep a happy spouse and rested children. The market is full of 27-38 foot runabouts for $35-100K that will meet these needs and fit into your budget. I did always prefer a twin engine application, especially with kids, for safety if nothing else. Good luck.

When we were buying a boat our kids were maybe 1 & about 9. My wife wanted a bow rider so we got a 23' Islander. After first summer wife wanted a cabin so the kids could get out of the sun & take naps, so i got to move up to something bigger.

From a kid's perspective, I grew up around offshore boats. We had a Baja 280 Sport when I was born, then we had a 30' Velocity by the time I turned 6. I was able to handle the Velocity well by the time I was 8, and single handed it (under, supervision from shore of course) at 12.

As for running 80 with young kids, probably not the best Idea. I do however remember running in the gulf when I was about 11, perfect 3 footers, just dad and I with me at the helm we ran low 80's on the speedo. Fastest we ever got out of that boat.

It was always a family event for us, and we spent tons of time on the boat. If you get the kids involved with the boat as soon as they are able, I think they will enjoy it. Tubing behind the Pantera would be doable, skiing is kind of a bear, but it's possible.

We currently don't have kids, but when we do I have no intentions of giving up performance boating.

I'm sure you will have a blast whatever you choose!

Keep in mind, a 28 Pantera has a fairly low freeboard. Of course my boys boated on mine hwen I had it, but in rough water you had to keep a close eye them. Most of my boating with the kids was done in fairly smooth water.

Formula 400ss or the 370 you can find some around 100k.

Check out Sunsation boats, they make a 28ft mid-cabin open bow that works really well for families. I've seen people tube off the back of them.

http://www.sunsationboats.com/index.asp

Your wife is probably going to be the one you have to make comfortable. The kids will enjoy any boat.

My kids, now 12 and 9 have been boating since they were 6 mos. old. They like to go fast and seem to enjoy rough water too.

Most offshore style boats are not very good for water sports. They don't plane very well at the speeds you typically tube or ski. I have to put my tabs WAY down and I never get fully on plane. Just seems tough on the boat.

I don't know why people are funny about kids and performance boats. Wouldn't you take the same safety precautions regardless of passenger age? An adult can get ejected just as easy as a kid. My kids know (and I warn them) to hold on and pay attention in rough water or crossing wakes, etc.

Made this mistake when mine were little too ! DON'T buy a boat for your kids or your wife for that matter . Most wives will dig any boat as long as it's not smaller then the boat she was in before ( or her girlfriends hubby's /bf's boat ):drink:
The kids are little for such a short time anyway , before you know it , they will be big enough for anything as long as it's not too ruff! Get the boat that YOU want ..... cause before you know it you will be kickin yourself when you can't sell the pc. that you brought home that you didn't really want to get the one you really wanted that will usually pop up right when you can't swing it ... A 28 - 30 offshore with a cuddy is a great all around boat that should work for most boating . Here's a good way to make everyone happy .... keep your boat at a marina with a pool and nice bathroom ! :party-smiley-004:

Best advice I saw yet! :coolcowboy:

I agree, get the boat you want and everyone else will be satisfied. I had a 292 Formula which was perfect for the Mrs. & myself plus enough room for the kids to overnight once in a while. I would look for a boat with a head and sink/wet bar.:drink:

I just got a 28 Saber, I have 2 kids 4 and 6. I think they will be fine, enough cabin to rest in and decent room. I had the same dillema, but got the boat that I wanted, they will love it regardless they love the water. If I want to go run the rough stuff or poker runs they can hang out at the beach or pool no problem. Or stay at grandmas, or stay home with the wife lol.

Any advice on a kid not here yet - wife pregnant?

My wife boated up till around 8 mos. It's all in what she is comfortable with. Or, if she has a "high risk" pregnancy, you might want to rethink.

When I was pregnant my Dr. said I could do anything my body was already used to except horseback ride & sucba dive.

I boated the weekend before my son was born, I went into labor on Tues. and had him on Wed.

I sat in the back seat when we would go fast, the bumping seemed to be a bit softer on my back & belly. Plus being on the boat was the only time my son wasn't kickin' the crap out of my insides!

At that age they fit anywhere...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...1&d=1268269405

Somthing with a head or port-a-potty will help get kids through a long day.

Replies will most likely be a little bias on this site.....just like if you went to a Sea Ray or "cruiser" type site. But a good offshore style boat will fit your needs great. Might be tight if your looking to do any overnighting though. If your in Grand Haven/Holland area a 28' Saber would be the ticket being they are made in your backyard. Sunsation would also make a nice selection...they have some mid cabin models you might like for the kids. My 5 year old loved the 28' Saber.

You can't go wrong with Sunsation, for what your looking for. Either a 288MCOB or 32SSMCOB would fit all you family needs and your performance needs. good luck

My two girls (8 & 11) have both been on the boats since they were about 5-6 months old. We have had a few different boats, nordic, fountain and pontoon. Out of all the boats my girls like the fountain. Now that they are older, they love standing up behind the front bolsters w/ their headsets on. My 8 year old likes the cuddy to hang in. When we slow down she comes out of the cuddy and wants to know whats going on.

Go as big as you can. Lake Michigan will beat the snot out of you on a deck boat. I have 2 kids 4&8 and a 28 foot PQ. I boat mainly on Lake Michigan. My boat does ok but I am more than willing to hop in with friends on bigger boats if going any distance. Open bow will be cold with kids also. You will extend your boating season with a cabin and a windsheild.