How cold is cold

[Stigomery]

OK so I have spied a new window of opportunity to run in the engine, this Sunday. Now the tides aren't perfect but should be fine at about 2 hours after low tide at Mersea Island. Wind and wave currently looking good. Only challenge is the cold... Not for me, I care not about the cold, but for my boy. I'm looking after him on Sunday so he's gotta come too. He will love it so long as he doesn't get miserably cold... it's likely to be about 3 degrees before we're even sitting at 15knots.

He's 5. Am I crazy to wrap him up and go for it? Will it be absolutely freezing?

I don't want to risk putting him off future trips by subjecting him to freezing weather for 2 hours + but I really can't anticipate how cold it might get, sitting in a boat in the open water.

Thoughts?

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

OK so I have spied a new window of opportunity to run in the engine, this Sunday. Now the tides aren't perfect but should be fine at about 2 hours after low tide at Mersea Island. Wind and wave currently looking good. Only challenge is the cold... Not for me, I care not about the cold, but for my boy. I'm looking after him on Sunday so he's gotta come too. He will love it so long as he doesn't get miserably cold... it's likely to be about 3 degrees before we're even sitting at 15knots.

He's 5. Am I crazy to wrap him up and go for it? Will it be absolutely freezing?

I don't want to risk putting him off future trips by subjecting him to freezing weather for 2 hours + but I really can't anticipate how cold it might get, sitting in a boat in the open water.

Thoughts?

That is a bit Chilly for one so young out on the open water..specially if you consider the windchill.
For me when mine were young....I always tried to make the first experience be it Boating...Fishing....Judo..Rugby ect as enjoyable as possible!
They've got plenty of enthusiasm at that age,but little experience!...I reckon you already know the score.
IMO Very easy to put em off,which may create negativity in the future.

[boristhebold]

New boat or new engine being run in, 5 year old probably excited, 3m boat, cold weather, even colder water, probably dont have a dry suit, personally i wouldnt but thats just my opinion.

[office888]

I wouldn't go for it...you should always assume the worst case scenario. What if the engine conks out and you're stranded for several hours? Or the boat sinks?

Boating this time of year, I wear my drysuit just in case I take an unexpected plunge.

[Fenlander]

Important note: I think I mentioned before access to the pontoon may be restricted currently due to pile repair work.


You say you're looking after your boy on Sunday so he'd have to come along... does that mean just you and him... if so I'd say no.

And if it were a beach launch into open sea I'd say no.

However if mum will be along too knowing Mersea I'd consider it. Launch around 1pm and have a couple of hours out which will give you the best of the day... perhaps even some sun... and there will be enough water to launch OK at that time.

Just have him well wrapped up with hat and gloves and mum can shelter him.

Notherly light wind should give easy sea conditions and if you're worried it's colder than expected just have the stage 1/2 running in around the moorings and up the creek to the limit free area to get on the plane a few times.

As I say of Mersea with a hard surface launch into calm water and nice pontoon for passengers to embark with dry feet it's all very civilised and you can do as much or as little as you want according to how it feels once the boat's launched and on the pontoon.

You could even drop mum and lad off at the pontoon after 20mins out so they could have a flask of drink on one of the seats while they watch you go back on your own for a nip about.

[Squid Boat]

I just had to put 2 logs on me fireplace after just reading this post.
I'm a old Connecticut Yank that is no stranger to cold temps and small boats, but no way I would bring me boy on a trip like that.

Cheers

[Max...]

No way take the little lad, nor would I go myself TBH!

[Pikey Dave]

Character building👍
I'd wrap him up well, pack some sandwiches & a hot drink. Put the boat in & just go for a pootle close inshore, make an adventure of it. Go out, give it 10 mins, have your sarnies & drink, chug about until he's had enough & call it a day.
Precious moments😊

[Stigomery]

Cheers chaps - I think I'll call it on the day and formulate a back-up plan should it simply be too cold. Wind & wave forecast getting calmer every day, even the forecasted temp is up a few degrees to 7.5

My ethos has always been per Pikey Dave above, but, other than Antarctica many years ago I've not been in a SIB in very cold weather and can't really recall how cold cold was and whether it would be too cold for the boy.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Character building��
I'd wrap him up well, pack some sandwiches & a hot drink. Put the boat in & just go for a pootle close inshore, make an adventure of it. Go out, give it 10 mins, have your sarnies & drink, chug about until he's had enough & call it a day.
Precious moments��

sound advice from dave if youve got to go. i took my boy with me every where i went i wanted him to have the chance to see whats out there and then make his own mind up as he grew older.but at five he needs a lot of care good clothes & boots all as dave said and chemical hand warmes are good one in each pocket. just be sensible and know when he's had enough unless he's hard as nails then it might be you throwing the towel in ha!

i was over at denver yesterday at the cut off channel and it was bitter loads of boats moored up no one out.

cheers

[Poly]

I don't know your part of the country but I wouldn't be planning 2 hrs afloat with a 5 yr old at this time of year (with that sort of forecast). Even in OK weather I think a 5 year old can start to get bored sitting on the boat with just the roar of the engine (not even conversation) if out that long. So as a bare minimum you need to plan in a stop somewhere with major reward like hot chocolate and cake! A flask is a good option but I always find a "destination" is somewhere better to aim for (flask as back up!). Personally in that weather on a first trip out I'd be looking for somewhere to go 1/2 hr from base with a cafe/tea room/chippy and see how it goes. If its really bad somewhere you can get a bus / train / cab back to your car and then retrieve the boat from is not crazy!

The right clothes make a huge difference. Bear in mind the right clothes may make swimming near impossible.

A successful trip with kids is one where they ask when they can do it again / go further rather than 1/3rd of the way in ask how much longer!

[two stroke mick]

I think it is too cold. You have to ask yourself what if
1) engine breaks down
2) you end up in the water.

I would leave bring the cub out for a nicer day.

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

chemical hand warmers are good one in each pocket.

Genius idea (for me too)!

The boy is used to the cold and has better winter clothes than me! Also, he won't be just sitting bored in the front of the boat - he loves to steer the tiller etc. and I actively encourage that all... he's a proper outdoors kid.

Hot choc and other treats/destinations are in the plan...

But... we remain 'playing it by ear'... thanks for the suggestions!

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

I think it is too cold. You have to ask yourself what if
1) engine breaks down
2) you end up in the water.

I would leave bring the cub out for a nicer day.

We have a back up engine so (1) is not an issue...
As regards (2) I think that's always a risk, obviously the consequences are more extreme this time of year and the best i can do is plan for the worst and take a very cautious approach...

... it's all hypothetical at the minute

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Character building👍
I'd wrap him up well, pack some sandwiches & a hot drink. Put the boat in & just go for a pootle close inshore, make an adventure of it. Go out, give it 10 mins, have your sarnies & drink, chug about until he's had enough & call it a day.
Precious moments😊

+1

Dads n lads time, you canny beat it.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

Genius idea (for me too)!

I think if it gets cold enough to actually need them its too cold - you want him holding on not hands in pockets. They are good to have "in case" but if its the plan from the start...

The boy is used to the cold and has better winter clothes than me!

possibly but even the best 5yr olds kit isn't perfect. The two things to be most aware of are bare skin (even just a nose) and wet bits. Those zap morale faster than anything. So (1) cover everything, buff, gloves, hat, make sure no gap at back of waste when sitting etc. (2) spare everything in a dry bag - but especially the bits that WILL get wet - hat, gloves, socks, and scarf/buff/towel for neck. One big wave an hour from home is funny for us, but miserable for him. Also of course make sure he's not too hot!

If lips are exposed consider lip balm as cold+wind is a pain. Salty water makes it worse.

Oh and I think you said you had a KISU in another post. Well worth packing it just in case he does get frozen - as you know that is a major morale booster.

[Mikefule]

It will be more cold than you can possibly imagine. Cold air plus splashing plus wind chill plus sitting still being shaken about.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

it's likely to be about 3 degrees before we're even sitting at 15knots.

Not sure what wind speed you are expecting. Lets assume its 10mph (8.5kts) - so into the wind you are up to close to 25kts. That takes it with wind chill down to -8C

He's 5. Am I crazy to wrap him up and go for it? Will it be absolutely freezing?

Yes and Yes

So I took my 4 year old skiing last year. We skied in those conditions. Difference being he wasn't sat for 2 hours. He was working his sox off. Able to stop and snack and shelter from wind if need be and even then 2 hours would be a LONG stint... Big difference from sitting steering to fighting your ski's down a mile long slope... Even going up in a chair lift for 10minutes is enough to make me be putting hoods up over hats etc to try and stay warm.

subjecting him to freezing weather for 2 hours + but I really can't anticipate how cold it might get

VERY VERY COLD. I'd say aim 10minutes out - 10minutes back.
Aim to be able to take him from boat when you come ashore, plonk in car, with heater on, and change any wet gear. Then recover without him.
Have a plan if sh17 hits the prop and you aren't headed back as quick as planned. Extra gear, flask, chocolate, some form of shelter, bivvy bag, call for help early. Bucket of tar to burn just in case ;-)

If you are putting him in ski type gear and wellies bear in mind it would affect his buoyancy if the worst happened.

[Sutty]

Sounds pretty selfish to me, what's the rush?

[steco1958]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Character building��
I'd wrap him up well, pack some sandwiches & a hot drink. Put the boat in & just go for a pootle close inshore, make an adventure of it. Go out, give it 10 mins, have your sarnies & drink, chug about until he's had enough & call it a day.
Precious moments��

Totally agree !!

Make it FUN FUN FUN, and it will be an adventure, where he will want to come back for more.

Enjoy