Launching and recovery with young kids

[Genelie]

So I need some imput; My son will be 4 this summer, and I want to take him out, thing is there will be times when we are alone. IS IT considered taboo to leave my son in the truck during this process??? Obviously I would not leave him in the boat. I do not want to be at a dock and have some people give me the evil eye if my son is in the truck for 5 to 10 minutes. Any Thoughts????

[fridaysoff]

Genelie,
I don't see any problem with your son in the truck. He will actually be with you considering that the truck will be attached to the trailer. He may be in the truck alone when you pull/push/drive the boat off of the trailer to tie to a dock, but as long as the vehicle is not running and he is within eyesight I fell like its OK.I do understand your thinking.You just never know these days where predators are lurking.Good luck and enjoy your time with your son. Mine is grown and I wish often that I could go back and spend more time with him. He and I still go fishing together. That will be some of your fondest memories with your son and he will feel the same.
John D.

[Lucky]

Another thing to consider is that the truck could end up in the water due to a mechanical problem (failed brakes) or operator mistake (which often comes from the excitement of launching your beloved boat). This is a rare occurrance, but something you should factor into your decision on how best to keep your son safe from the commotion on the ramp and docks.

Personally, I would ask him (at his age) to stay in the truck but allow him to unbuckle and to have a window or two rolled down (just in case he needed to get out if the truck rolled into the water) and I would be very careful to ensure the truck was in park, brakes firmly engaged, engine off, and I'd take the keys with me so my son wouldn't be tempted to "pretend" to drive while I'm busy focusing on launching the boat.

Whatever you do, don't leave your son at home... you and he will be making lifetime memories by spending time on the water together!

[wpschaef]

I am impressed that you ask and honored that you ask us! I agree with in the truck. Found out today that my first grandchilp is due near Christmas this year so safety is best.
Biff

[1John]

Hi there

Sorry to disagree with you all. I ran a seaplane base for three years and the boat ramp was on our facility. we got pictures and went swimming every couple months in the summer getting people not just kids out of trucks, Vans, campers out of the back of trucks. These vehicles were new and old, they were standard and automatic. There were usually a few things that were not quite right, that is why accidents happen, but when it does I can tell you first hand, usually the owner of the truck goes into shock and just stands there. The good thing is they all float for a short period of time if the doors are closed, even the campers. If you do leave them in the truck, please verify the parking brake is set, and multiple windows are open. It is harder than you think breaking a window on a truck in the water and kids are watching you wondering what is wrong. They probably will not unlock the door, these did not. This was a ramp that would launch 100 boats on a good day, the chances for something to go wrong were high, everyone was in a hurry. This also happened more to people unfamiliar with the equipment, like it was their brothers truck, try to explain that.

The best fix we ever saw was a guy had a set of wheel chocks on a short lanyard. When he put his truck in place to launch his boat he set the chocks, and clicked the lanyard to his bumper. Now his truck could not move. He could take his time and tie up his boat. When he left he just drove up the ramp dragging the chocks to park. He was kind of slow but he would never lose his truck.

Remember Safety is no Accident. I take all three of my kids fishing all the time, it is some of the best time you will have. They will remember it forever.

John

[BigBird]

Hey good questions. I am not an expert but what has always worked for me is wherever I go is where the kids go. My philosophy is if something happens then they need to be within reach and I need to get to them.
I have taught my kids safety first when at boat landings. Our process is life jacket goes on before they get out of truck. When I get out of truck on ramp they get out my side and are at my side-same whether I drive off or push off!
I am not leaving my kid in boat or truck when i am away from them. I have seen too many trucks roll into and under water, as well as boats that get away from the owner and float away.
Fishing rivers I have seen people loose trucks/trailers in the river, sink boats because they took off with anchor down and other assorted stuff......
Fyi, My oldest son is in college now and he works at summer camp in charge of canoeing and has discovered that he likes paddling and camping on the river. It looks like the lessons taught were learned pretty well.
Hope this helps.
Good luck with the kids.
LB