[liveaboarddreams]

Hello,
I'm curious to hear from liveaboard families with young children on boats under 37'. I'm not looking for arguments as to why it's a bad idea - have read the thread on interior arrangements for families with children and understand the argument that kids need privacy, space especially as they grow older.

What I'm looking for are thoughts and viewpoints from families who have done it contrary to conventional wisdom and how they did it while addressing their children's needs.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CaptainForce]

You'll notice that I had responded to your question on another forum. Here, I looked at your site and saw that you had visited our friends Justin & Jenny. All of our times raising children aboard were in Florida. I'm sure there are added challenges in the Northeast. While our children were with us we lived at four different marinas. Finally, staying at one that was more "child friendly",- grassy safe play areas and other children living aboard. Take care and joy, Aythya crew

 

[MSter]

I know this is an old post, but a 37 ft child is just ridiculous!

 

[MARC2012]

They are somewhat smaller based on the title.Did have to look at thread though.marc

 

[friendsmily]

Great question. Not many answers though.

 

[BlkOnyx488]

@CaptainForce What is the name of the child friendly marina your family lived at. was it also in FL? thanks

 

[Andrew65]

I know this is an old post, but a 37 ft child is just ridiculous!

I started to read this post just to see if someone caught that too and was going to write what you wrote..hahaha.

Bravo Mster!

 

[CaptainForce]

@CaptainForce What is the name of the child friendly marina your family lived at. was it also in FL? thanks

When our children were young the marina was known as Whitney's Sail Center, but now the name has changed to Fleming Island Marina in Orange Park, Florida, just south of Jacksonville on the St. Johns River,- 'nice neighborhood and good schools. We still take a slip there from Thankgiving through Christmas each year as our children, now in their thirties, are living nearby. There's still some nice play areas for children and an added, well fenced, pool. The river is wide here with plently of sailing opportunity. We currently pay less than $500/month total for a liveaboard rate with 41' boat.

 

[vtsailguy]

I have pondered this very question
The Best Boat for Cruising with Children | Sailing With Kids

 

[luhtag]

We have been living aboard with 3 young children for 4 years now. Ours wasn't a 37' but it was a coastal cruising 40 with a quarter berth layout. When the kids are young, under 7, any boat will work. Now that ours are getting older we had to sell and get bigger. But we faired well enough. Sailed a few thousand around Fl and the Bahamas.

When it was time to make a change I offered the land lubber rat race to my wife. She wouldn't hear of it but said that a bigger boat would be nice. So I got her a 50 with 3 staterooms. So far it has been great. Once the kids hit preteen status we'll move ashore temporarily in our hometown. But from my experience, if you want to explore, any boat over 50' will severely limit your travels in said cruising grounds.

A 37 footer should do fine with kids.

 

[captain jack]

families with small children under 37'? i didn't know there were children that grew anywhere near that tall. how big are they at birth? must be a epic pregnancy and delivery. and the food bills....

 

[captain jack]

heck! i just read through the thread. somebody beat me to it! lol

 

[WithTheWind.Net]

Surprisingly nobody mentioned the displacement of the boat. Length does not mean much.