Toddlers in RIB's

[al40]

Trying to work out the best way to accomodate a toddler in my RC 5.3. It's got single jockey plus two twin jockeys behind. Previously on my SR4 I was able to hold him securely on my knee at the console but there's not enough room on RC to do this.

So, options are:

- Whichever adult isn't driving holds him on one of the double jockeys. We tried this and it wasn't overly successful. Toe straps would probably make it a bit more relaxed as you could wedge yourself in better.

- Try and fabricate some kind of seat inbetween the double jockeys. Webbing straps could be used to effectively make a pen between the seats so it was a safe area. Disadvantage of this is he would not be able to see much so would probably create after a while.

- Make a bow cushion for adult to sit on and hold toddler. This is quite a comfortable posn to sit in (apart from the cleat sticking into your backside) and with a cushion would be OK. Wet in bigger waves tho!

There must be loads of folk who have done something like this before. By the time summer comes he'll probably be able to hold on for himself but can't really rely on that at the moment.

Cheers,
Al.

[sticky]

Originally Posted by al40

Trying to work out the best way to accomodate a toddler in my RC 5.3. It's got single jockey plus two twin jockeys behind. Previously on my SR4 I was able to hold him securely on my knee at the console but there's not enough room on RC to do this.

So, options are:

- Whichever adult isn't driving holds him on one of the double jockeys. We tried this and it wasn't overly successful. Toe straps would probably make it a bit more relaxed as you could wedge yourself in better.

- Try and fabricate some kind of seat inbetween the double jockeys. Webbing straps could be used to effectively make a pen between the seats so it was a safe area. Disadvantage of this is he would not be able to see much so would probably create after a while.

- Make a bow cushion for adult to sit on and hold toddler. This is quite a comfortable posn to sit in (apart from the cleat sticking into your backside) and with a cushion would be OK. Wet in bigger waves tho!

There must be loads of folk who have done something like this before. By the time summer comes he'll probably be able to hold on for himself but can't really rely on that at the moment.

Cheers,
Al.

Dont know how old,or weight but have seen these adapted to fit jockey/bench seat,best of luck.http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/0362456.htm

[al40]

That's definately a possibility. We had though about a car seat as well (one of the light Britax type of things). I'm a bit nervous about strapping kids into the boat tho from a safety perspective.

[Poly]

We haven't found a perfect solution - but generally happiest sitting beside mummy or on daddy's knee helping to drive.

There was a discussion by the SW rib folks on this topic about 9 months ago. Some of them were suggesting fold our foot rests on the side of the jockeys like a motorbike pillion seat. Someone (roycruise?) had tried a sling of webbing with footholes in the bottom wrapped over the seat- I guess it is similar to a horse riding saddle then.

Originally Posted by al40

I'm a bit nervous about strapping kids into the boat tho from a safety perspective.

Presumably you don't take a toddler out in big waves where capsizing is likely. Therefore the risk of him falling overboard must be higher.

[al40]

Yes he loves to help drive (and also likes pressing every button he can get his hands on!)

Unfortunately on the new boat if he sits in front of me he's effectively sitting on top of the VHF and with the extra bulk of toddler plus lifejacket, makes it near impossible to turn the wheel :-(

Absolutely agree - we would not normally be taking kids out when there are large waves but it can't always be guaranteed and sometimes the journey home can be rough (esp if there is a wind against tide effect).

The webbing strap idea sounds interetsing. A "saddle" would certainly release the amount of pressure required to hold him in place. With some stud or turnbuckle fasters this could be quite simple to fabricate.

Thanks for your suggestions so far

[Poly]

Originally Posted by al40

Yes he loves to help drive (and also likes pressing every button he can get his hands on!)

Unfortunately on the new boat if he sits in front of me he's effectively sitting on top of the VHF and with the extra bulk of toddler plus lifejacket, makes it near impossible to turn the wheel :-(

Absolutely agree - we would not normally be taking kids out when there are large waves but it can't always be guaranteed and sometimes the journey home can be rough (esp if there is a wind against tide effect).

The webbing strap idea sounds interetsing. A "saddle" would certainly release the amount of pressure required to hold him in place. With some stud or turnbuckle fasters this could be quite simple to fabricate.

Thanks for your suggestions so far

OK found the previous thread. It starts around p24 of this epic http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11902&page=24 - and stand corrected - its seems nasher is the inventor of the webbing stirups and roycruise prefers to just tie his kids in!

[al40]

Originally Posted by Polwart

OK found the previous thread. It starts around p24 of this epic http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11902&page=24 - and stand corrected - its seems nasher is the inventor of the webbing stirups and roycruise prefers to just tie his kids in!

Thanks!

[Cork Rib]

Couple of ratchet straps should do it

[dctucker]

I have a 16 month old boy who's spent a fair amount of time aboard the Searider. I strap his stroller down securely in the bow. It's a reclining type with a sunshade, so he can lie back, relax and mostly be out of the sun. Wife insists that he wear life jacket and be strapped into the stroller. He usually falls asleep that way for most of the ride. When he wakes up and gets restless, he rides on the jockey in front of me. Or if we're just bobbing about, I'll let him walk around, only keeping him away from the external fuel tanks. He can't even see over the tubes, so I'm not worried about him falling overboard!

Yes, if if something catastrophic were to happen, he's attached to the boat, but I consider that an extremely small risk, after 39 years of boating myself. Particularly in comparison to the risk of injury from being thrown about in the boat.

[Andy Moore]

Originally Posted by al40

- Make a bow cushion for adult to sit on and hold toddler. This is quite a comfortable posn to sit in (apart from the cleat sticking into your backside) and with a cushion would be OK. Wet in bigger waves tho!

I think they should definitely be behind the console unless pootling along slowly.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Cork Rib

Couple of ratchet straps should do it

Nah, stick them in a fender basket on the A-frame

[al40]

Originally Posted by dctucker

Yes, if if something catastrophic were to happen, he's attached to the boat, but I consider that an extremely small risk, after 39 years of boating myself. Particularly in comparison to the risk of injury from being thrown about in the boat.

Agreed it's a small risk! Maybe a good solution is to go with the strapped in chair / seat / buggy and if it does start to look bad, hold him (he really likes it when it's rough and is generally quite happy sitting on someone at that point).

Now if only I did have fender baskets!

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Nah, stick them in a fender basket on the A-frame

Or even better: http://www.jollyjumper.com/ Little bugger would get a hell of a ride!

When my kids were really little, we just wedged them between us on the 2 man jockey. As they got a bit older, they progressed to "second helmsmen" position.. in front of me, helping to steer.

As they got older they progressed to riding on the tubes, but as often as not, would just curl up on the deck in a secure corner someplace... And once they became teens and wanted as little as possible to do with parents (but still liked the boat) we would tow them 75' behind on a tube. My oldest once dragged for 23 miles that way!

[al40]

Originally Posted by Stoo

When my kids were really little, we just wedged them between us on the 2 man jockey. As they got a bit older, they progressed to "second helmsmen" position.. in front of me, helping to steer.

As they got older they progressed to riding on the tubes, but as often as not, would just curl up on the deck in a secure corner someplace... And once they became teens and wanted as little as possible to do with parents (but still liked the boat) we would tow them 75' behind on a tube. My oldest once dragged for 23 miles that way!

Yes that would be the ideal situation (to have them wedged between us) but unfortunately the single jockey console and twin seats arrangement make that impossible.

Guess we'll just play around a bit and see what work. Youngest will prob be strapped into a car seat with toddler free to roam, maybe on a lead!

Cheers for all the replies guys.

Al