Cruising with Kids & Pets

After 3 years of planning a trip around the Elizabeth Islands, on our 28’ Pursuit Cruiser we finally did it this year, and what a trip it was.

The weather was perfect and the seas were calm. We packed enough food and clothes on board for 2 adults, my 7 year old grandson, and our cocker spaniel Connor. But this blog isn’t about the trip as much as what it took to prepare for it.

A 28 foot boat may seem pretty big and secure until you get on the open water. The safety of the passengers and vessel is the primary concern of the captain and they need to prepare for any event that may occur.

I need to go through all the safety gear needed for this trip. First, I checked to make sure that my navigational aids – GPS, radar, etc. are working. I also made sure to have accurate navigational charts of the areas we were travelling in to back up the GPS.

Second, I checked all the life preservers and made sure we had at least 2 for every passenger including the dog. I made sure they were located in spots that are easily accessed. For my grandson we took 3 because he would be wearing one all the time unless he was sleeping. Swimming would be a major activity for he and the dog so they needed to have access to a dry one at all times.

Next, I filed a float plan that I gave to my daughter and told her that I would keep in touch by phone. If she couldn’t reach me I told her to follow the plan and I would not deviate without letting her know.

Last, I checked the batteries in my Autotether Wireless Lanyard and made sure I had a spare set on board. I wear my Autotether religiously, and on this trip my wife, grandson, and dog all wore the small personal sensor at all times. If they were to fall off the boat, it sounds an alarm alerting me to a man or dog overboard. The sensors are small enough to forget you had them with you. About the only excitement we had during the trip was on the first night while anchored offshore at Napatree Point. We had tied our dinghy up to the back of the boat and it came loose and was drifting away. Fortunately, we had put one of the Autotether sensors in it and when it got about 100 feet away the alarm sounded, which was great. My wife didn’t want me to start the boat so I had to swim to retrieve it which wasn’t so great.

Other than that the we all had fun, a trip we will not soon forget even the dog loved it, considering we had to carry him off the boat when we got home as he wouldn’t leave thinking this was his new home under the dinette table. I can’t wait till next year; I am already planning our next trip.