I developed these tips as part of an article for Boating New Zealand after our first offshore passage with the children, they were published as a sidebar.
- Develop your expertise. Attend training courses, read books, talk to those who have done it before.
- Test yourself and your boat, with the family beforehand. This gives everyone confidence if conditions deteriorate and ensures familiarity with the onboard environment.
- Plan food for easy snacking. You won’t want to prepare a meal at 2am when you are on watch, but you may want to snack on a muesli bar. If a child moans that they are hungry and you’ve just thrown up you can direct them to the self-help snack box.
- Don’t worry too much about the kids. Have safe places for them to sleep and play. Pack low supervision activities. If necessary use seasickness medication.
- Savour the good moments. Keep a strong positive vision of arrival at your destination in mind. See yourself sipping that Pina Colada in paradise.
Note: First published in Boating New Zealand, November 2007. The full article “What’s not in the brochure” is also posted on this site. Click here for “What’s not in the brochure”.
