Taking the family out on a motorboat can be one of the best reasons for owning one, but the first few trips do not need to be ambitious. Children are unlikely to care how many miles you covered or how technically interesting the passage was. They are much more likely to remember seeing something from the boat, stopping somewhere for lunch or being given a job to do on the way.
For the skipper, that means planning the day differently. The aim is not simply to get the boat from one marina to another. You need to think about comfort, attention spans, weather and how much time people actually want to spend underway.
Keep the First Family Trips Short
A common mistake is trying to make the first family outing a full day.
Start with a route that can easily be shortened. Around the Solent, that might mean a relatively short run, a lunch stop or some time in sheltered water rather than committing everyone to several hours underway.
This gives you options if somebody feels seasick, the weather is less comfortable than forecast or the children simply lose interest.
Think about the return journey as well. A pleasant run with the tide and wind behind you can feel very different several hours later in the opposite direction. Check the weather forecast and tide information before leaving and make sure the return still suits the people aboard.
There is nothing wrong with changing the destination. With family boating, a shorter enjoyable trip is usually more successful than completing the original plan with everybody wishing they were back ashore.
Give Children Simple Jobs
Children often enjoy boating more when they feel involved.
That does not mean putting them in charge of anything safety critical. Give them jobs that suit their age and can be abandoned immediately if the skipper needs everyone’s attention.
They might look out for a particular buoy, spot other boats, identify landmarks or help keep track of the journey on the chartplotter. Older children may enjoy learning why you are following a particular channel or how navigation marks work.
Before leaving, give everyone a short safety briefing. Children need to know where they can sit, when they need to hold on and which parts of the boat are out of bounds without permission.
Keep the rules straightforward. No jumping ashore with lines, no hands or feet between the boat and pontoon, and no moving around without asking when the boat is manoeuvring.
A few clear rules are much easier to remember than a long briefing full of boating terminology.
Pay Attention to How Everyone Is Feeling
The skipper may be perfectly comfortable in conditions that feel unpleasant to somebody who rarely goes boating.
Watch your passengers rather than assuming silence means everybody is enjoying themselves. A child who becomes unusually quiet, pale or uninterested may be starting to feel seasick.
Reducing speed can make a considerable difference in choppy conditions. Moving to a more comfortable part of the boat, getting some fresh air and looking towards the horizon can also help.
Clothing matters more than many first-time passengers expect. Even a warm day ashore can feel considerably cooler once the boat is moving. Bring extra layers, waterproof clothing, sun protection, drinks and easy snacks.
It is much easier to keep everybody comfortable than recover the day once somebody is cold, wet and fed up.
Make the Stop Part of the Day
For children especially, the destination can be the part that makes boating fun.
Instead of planning a passage purely around miles covered, give the trip a reason. Stop for lunch, go ashore somewhere new or find a suitable sheltered spot where everyone can relax.
You still need to think like a skipper when choosing the stop. Check the expected depth, shelter, tide and likely marina conditions before committing to it. If you are unfamiliar with the destination, know how you intend to approach and where you can go instead.
But once safely there, allow some time away from boating.
Children who have spent an hour sitting sensibly underway will probably appreciate being able to move around, eat and explore before being asked to sit still again for the journey home.
Do Not Turn a Family Day into a Training Exercise
There is nothing wrong with practising while the family is aboard, but choose your moments.
A quiet approach to a familiar berth can be useful practice. Trying an unfamiliar manoeuvre in difficult conditions with children aboard is something different.
If you are still building confidence with berthing, do the difficult practice separately. Family members should not find themselves compensating for an uncertain approach by jumping onto a pontoon or trying to pull the boat into position.
The same applies to longer passages. If you are still getting comfortable with tidal planning, navigation or handling the boat in rougher water, gain that experience before making it part of an ambitious family day.
A skippered practical experience can also be a useful introduction if the family wants to experience being afloat without one person having to manage an unfamiliar boat at the same time.
Come Back Before the Day Starts Going Wrong
One of the best habits with family boating is returning slightly earlier than you think you need to.
It gives you time to prepare lines and fenders properly, approach the marina without rushing and deal with an unexpected delay without everybody becoming tired or hungry.
More importantly, it means the day finishes while people are still enjoying themselves.
That matters if you want boating to become something the family looks forward to rather than something they tolerate because one person loves the boat.
You can always go further next time.
A successful family trip might only involve a couple of hours underway, somewhere enjoyable for lunch and an easy journey home. If everyone steps ashore asking when they can go again, the day has probably worked.
FAQs about family motorboat trips
Should children wear lifejackets on a family motorboat trip?
Children should have properly fitted lifejackets suitable for their size and weight. Check the fit before leaving rather than relying on an adult lifejacket tightened to suit a smaller wearer. The skipper should also decide when lifejackets are to be worn and make that rule clear before getting underway.
How can you help a child who is nervous about going on a motorboat?
Allow them to become familiar with the boat while it is still securely berthed. Showing them where they will sit, explaining unfamiliar noises and keeping the first outing uncomplicated can make the experience feel much less daunting. Avoid pressuring a nervous child into a long trip before they are comfortable aboard.
What should families consider when planning toilet stops on a boat trip?
Know what facilities are available aboard and at your intended stops before leaving. Younger children may need more frequent access than adults, so choosing destinations with convenient marina or shoreside facilities can make the day considerably easier.
Is a marina or anchorage better for a family lunch stop?
A marina can be convenient when you want straightforward access ashore, toilets and somewhere for children to move around. An anchorage may provide a quieter stop but requires suitable conditions, dependable anchoring and a safe way of getting everyone ashore if that is part of the plan. Choose the option that best suits the crew and conditions that day.
What should you pack when taking a baby or toddler on a motorboat?
Alongside the normal boating equipment, allow for extra clothing, nappies or changing supplies, drinks, suitable food and anything needed for shade or sun protection. Keeping familiar comfort items readily available can also help. Everything should be stored securely so that it cannot move around the boat while underway.