Baltimore Boat Show Lures Visitors with Boating Experiences

The 2014 Progressive Insurance Baltimore Boat Show will be filled with hundreds of boats, interactive and educational activities and family fun January 23-26, 2014

Boaters in the Baltimore MD area looking to experience warmer thoughts this winter can celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Baltimore Boat Show as it gets underway at the Baltimore Convention Center on January 23-26, 2014.

The 2014 Progressive Insurance Baltimore Boat Show promises to lure in new and existing boaters with hundreds of boats on display along with numerous interactive and hands-on boating activities for boaters of all ages.

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Kids Sun and UV Protection Products on Boats

Recommended products to protect your baby or kids from harmful UV rays of the hot summer sun while boating

My kids love being on the boat and we spend a lot of time out in the sun. When we are not up at our marina’s pool swimming, you can usually find us anchored out on a nearby cove for the afternoon.

With countless hours in the sun during the summer boating season and it is really hard to avoid it. We’re always worried about our young girls’ fair skin and we try very hard to avoid sunburn at all costs. Our canvas is always extended and we try to take advantage of sun and UV protection products to keep the kids protected from the sun on the boat.

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Rainy Day Boating Activities

Foul weather ideas for you and the kids to stay entertained on a boat when it is raining

The pitter patter of rain falling down on a boat can be a total bummer. Most people don’t like to be stuck on their boat when it is raining, but sometimes it is inevitable. Whether you plan a trip on the boat not knowing rain is coming, or you are such a boating die-hard (like us) that you go to the boat regardless of the weather forecast, it’s best to have some ideas for rainy day boating activities on-hand.

Most rainy days we spend on the boat tend to be periods of on and off rain. It’s enough to ruin a boat trip, swim in the river or dip in the pool… but you can still find some activities to make the best of foul weather. In fact, sometimes a break from the sun is actually a good thing!

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Kids Ear Protection for Watching Fireworks Shows on the Water

Protect your kids from hearing loss during loud fireworks displays on the Fourth of July and holiday events with noise reduction headphones, earmuffs or earplugs

Whether it is fourth of July, Labor Day weekend or another holiday or special event, watching a fireworks display light up the sky from your boat is one of the most enjoyable things to do on the water for the entire family. And luckily for boaters almost every river, lake and harbor offers spectacular fireworks shows to enjoy on the water every year.

But the loud explosion of fireworks can be both scary and harmful for young kids, especially noise-sensitive kids. We should be careful to provide proper ear protection for kids so that the holiday tradition doesn’t damage little ears... and they can continue to enjoy one of our favorite summertime traditions.

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Bed Options for a Newborn Infant or Baby Sleeping on Board a Boat

When boating with a baby, here are choices for safe and space-saving compact bed solutions for having a newborn infant or baby sleep inside a boat cabin

Infants and babies tend to sleep very well on board a boat. The gentle water movement and rocking of a boat is very soothing and calming for a baby. Both of our babies slept their longest hours through the night for the first time on the boat.

We have had two babies sleep on-board our boat since they were only a few weeks old, and we have experience with a variety of sleeping arrangements while boating. If you have a boat with a cabin there is no reason why you can’t have your baby sleep on the boat with you for daytime naps, weekend overnights or live-aboard boating.

Having a baby sleep on a boat can be both safe and easy with the right baby gear. The biggest challenge is often finding the right bed option for the tight space quarters of a boat cabin that is safe and appropriate for the age of your baby.

Here are some of my recommendations for good compact infant bed options for a newborn or baby sleeping on board your boat.

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Family Boating Safety and Cruising Tips

With a focus on boat safety and special accommodations for cruising with kids, you can make boating as a family both enjoyable and safe

Boating can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time together as a family. Family boating is a great way to slow down the pace of your daily life - getting back to nature, cruising to new destinations and making family memories that last a lifetime.

Of course boat safety should be at the forefront of all family boating activities. The number one concern for families with kids on a boat – especially young kids – is to keep them safe around water. Whether at the dock, anchored out or going on a cruise, you want to make sure they are comfortable and safe on the water and on a boat.

If you are new to having kids on-board or new to boating as a family, here are some family boating tips to keep everyone safe and ensure comfortable cruising adventures on the water.

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Best Boat and Water Theme Books for Kids

Share your love of boating with these kid's boating themed books that are perfect gifts to inspire young boaters

Boat themed books teach kids to love the water and boating

Reading books about boating makes boating even more fun for kids... while helping them appreciate the ocean, sea and waterways... AND teaching them about water safety. From children's books about pirates to ocean and sea adventure kid's books, there are a lot of great boat themed books for kids.

Whether you are looking for a book on boating for your own child or a gift for a special young boater, these boat and water themed children's books are great choices for kids that love boating and the water.

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Boating While Pregnant: Boat Safety When Expecting a Baby

A pregnancy doesn’t have to stop your boating season - first mates expecting a baby can enjoy time on a boat with some precautions

If you are an avid boater that is ready to start having kids (or having another baby now as a boater), chances are you have thought about how to handle a pregnancy while boating. You may have even thought about trying to “plan it” around your boating season. Uh, good luck with that one!

It is true that being pregnant on a boat may slow you down a little, but you can still enjoy time on the water while waiting for your latest crew member to arrive. With a few extra precautions, along with some minor changes to your typical boating routine, boating while pregnant can be safe and still fun.

Safety Precautions for Boating While Expecting a Baby

How much boating time you can get in while being pregnant most likely depends on the size of your boat and how pregnant you will be during your boating season.

Simple precautions can make boating
while being pregnant easy & safe.

If you have a smaller boat, you’ll definitely want to slow it down and take it easy cruising. Hitting big wakes on the water in a small boat while pregnant can be uncomfortable for you and potentially dangerous to the baby. Taking the boat on short cruises at low speeds in no wake zones is probably more advisable. Consult your doctor about any special precautions you should take if you plan to cruise in a small boat.

If you have a bigger boat that easily handles wakes, such as 30 feet or bigger, then cruising while expecting is much easier. In fact, we took a 2 hour cruise in our 41 foot boat when I was 7 months pregnant with no issues at all. As you get closer to your due date the biggest concern is being too far away from your home marina if you go into labor – so plan boat trips earlier in your pregnancy to be on the safe side.

Some other basic safety precautions for pregnant boaters include:

• Stay hydrated in warm weather
• Avoid lifting heavy gear onto the boat
• Avoid walking on the bow when pregnancy weight makes you less stable
• Slow the boat down when approaching large wakes during cruises
• Stay close to your home marina as your due date approaches

Be sure to consult with your doctor about when you should stop traveling to your marina if the distance is too far if you go into labor. Most doctors recommend not traveling more than 1 hour away from home once you reach 36 weeks. This break from boating is the hardest part for boaters, but a good safety precaution as you go into your final weeks waiting for baby to arrive. After baby does arrive, there is no reason why you can’t return within a few weeks as long as you are physically up to it. Boating with a baby is very easy and safe with simple precautions.

Tips for Having Fun While Being Pregnant on a Boat

Stay cool while being pregnant boating by swimming
in a marina pool or anchoring out with your boat.

Just like most boaters, we thought we would try to plan the timing of a baby around boating season. We were ready for kids, but didn’t want having a kid to put too much of a cramp in our boating style. And as luck would have it, both of my pregnancies ended up being mid-summer babies. So I spent the first half of the summer pregnant on the boat, missed about 1 month on the water and then spent the last few months of the season with a newborn baby.

My biggest concern being pregnant on our boat was not having any fun. After all, boating is all about having fun on the water. I was afraid I would be too hot, uncomfortable and not be able to fully enjoy the boating lifestyle.

Here are some of my personal tips for keeping the fun factor in boating while being pregnant:

• Swim a lot. Staying cool at the marina pool or anchoring out in the water will keep you cool and feels great with the extra pregnancy weight.
• Anchor out close to your marina. Get away from the dock and plan to spend more time out on the water close to your marina. It is cooler, water feels great and you can get the “boating experience” without the concerns of cruising too far away.
• Make non-alcohol cocktails. Being the only one that can’t drink alcohol can be a real bummer boating. Make special fruit & yogurt smoothie drinks so you can share a cocktail with everyone else.
• Take it easy. If packing extra food for the weekend is too much work or stress, then plan to go out to eat or order food. If you’d rather go on a trip with your captain without extra boats and friends, then enjoy some quiet low-key time alone. Make your own rules to slow things down to your pace if needed instead of trying to keep up with your typical boating routine.
• Stay cool in the shade. Keep yourself as comfortable as possible while on the boat and out in the sun. A retractable canvas system for extending shade comfort on a boat is a convenient way to help keep you cool and comfortable while pregnant.
• Relax and have fun with it. Being pregnant is an exciting time – focus on the moments you can enjoy while boating and how much fun it will be to return later with your baby.

After your baby arrives, there is no reason why you can’t return to your boat as soon as you feel ready. With us, we were back on our boat with our newborn baby within 2 weeks of birth. Boating with a baby is actually much easier with a small baby than a toddler that is learning to walk and get into trouble. Remember proper precautions for babies on boats – like infant life jackets, keeping baby cool and protected from the sun – and your new crew will be ready for your next boating adventure.

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Teaching Kids How to Fish while Boating

National Fishing and Boating Week is the perfect time to teach young boys and girls all about how to enjoy the sport of fishing while spending family time on a boat

If you are an avid boater then chances are your kids are just as fanatical about the boating lifestyle. Spending time on the water enjoying nature is a great family activity to share. There is always something new and fun to show young kids on the water, and the sport of fishing is a great way to enjoy boating with kids even more.

Seeing a young kid catch their first big fish is exciting for both kids and adults. And it’s just one more reason why your kids will learn to love the boating lifestyle and make it a lifelong passion.

In honor of National Fishing and Boating Week - June 4-12, 2011- take the opportunity to teach your kids how to fish and enjoy the art of reeling in the big one. Fishing can be a great way to teach kids about wildlife and nature while building patience and agility.

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Boat Safety Rules for Kids and Adults on the Water

Most state laws and regulations require boater licenses and safe boating courses to ensure both kids and adults practice safe and responsible boating

Boating is all about relaxing and enjoying yourself on the water with family and friends. But those fun times can turn tragic when boaters engage in irresponsible behavior or just lack an appropriate level of boating expertise. The rules of the water must be taken seriously.

In the past, anyone could operate a boat regardless of their age, boater education or experience. However, in recent years there have been many changes to boat safety rules for both kids and adults across the U.S. and Canada in an effort to help reduce boating accidents and ensure safer boating practices.

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Toddler Life Jackets Best for Boating and Water Safety

Choose the best Coast Guard approved toddler life jackets to keep young kids safe near the water or on a boat

Toddler life jackets should be worn
while boating or on the water.

Hands down, the best way to keep toddlers and young kids safe on the water is to always use a life jacket. Hopefully parents have already started reinforcing water safety at an early age by using an infant life jacket for their baby, but its even more important as a toddler gains independence.

All too often I see toddlers walking down a boat dock with no life jacket. It is scary to see because a busy toddler could easily wander off the edge of a dock, or lean over the edge of a boat unexpectedly. Although some toddlers may already be learning basic swimming moves, they are unlikely to be able to keep their head above the water if they fall into deep water. Its an even scarier thought with murky river or bay water.

Toddler life jackets should be worn as a precaution anytime a toddler is near water or on a boat to ensure safety and piece of mind.

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Sterns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jackets Review

Toddlers and kids learn to swim faster with Coast Guard approved Puddle Jumper Life Jackets

The Sterns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket

is Coast Guard approved and gives

kids the confidence to quickly learn

how to swim.

Our almost three year old daughter is practically doing laps in the pool this summer thanks to her Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket. It is one of the best ways for young kids and toddlers to quickly learn how to swim.

The puddle jumper design combines the security of "floaties" or "swimmie" arms with a floatation pad that goes across the chest and attaches to the floatation arms. They are fastened in the back with a secure clasp.

Because Puddle Jumper Jackets are Coast Guard approved, they are great for young kids learning to swim in the pool, on the lake, in the river or out on a boat.

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Renting a Boat Slip at a Good Marina

Is finding a boat slip to rent at a marina that is family-friendly, has good service and offers resort-style amenities too much to ask?

Choose a boat slip at a marina that has it all.
Pictured: Hillside view at Skipjack Cove Marina
in Georgetown, MD

People spend a lot of money on their boats and deserve a good place to dock it for the season. But it's more than just the boat slip. A marina should be like a getaway or vacation every time you go to your boat.

I think a lot of marinas need to step it up. Far too many marinas seem to think they can get away with the bare minimum for their boat slip rentals. Bathrooms are not kept clean. Ship stores are hardly stocked. Dock hands are no where to be found. And you certainly can't trust your most valuable possession to the maintenance department that has a bad reputation.

When we first started boating, a boat slip rental at a marina was simply a place to dock our boat. Almost every weekend we would take our boat out on trips. The cruise was always nice and the destination was always fun, but we realized that every weekend we were trying to get away from our home marina so we could go to a nicer marina. On top of our boat slip rental, we were paying for transient fees at other marinas...

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Infant Life Vests and Jackets for Boating

Selecting a Safety Life Jacket or PFD for Infants on a Boat

Infant Life Jackets or Vests

Keeping a young baby or infant safe on a boat or around water should be a number one priority for boaters. Although life jackets are necessary for young kids too, they are especially important for an infant or baby that has no swimming skills at all.

The important thing about selecting an infant life jacket or safety vest is that it fits the child correctly for their size. And there are many Coast Guard approved infant life jackets to choose from that are appropriately sized for the latest addition to your crew.

Choosing Coast Guard Approved Infant Life Jackets

According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety, infants should not "travel on a boat" until they weigh at least 15 pounds and they should always wear a personal floatation device (PFD). But a baby can be on a boat at any age you feel comfortable boating with a baby. Just be sure that a baby wears a proper infant life jacket when on or near the water: boating, canoeing, rafting or any water sport activity.

An infant life vest or jacket should fit properly and qualify as a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for boating safety. Youth life jackets come in size ranges noted as: “less than 30 lbs”, “30-50 lbs”, “less than 50 lbs” and “50-90 lbs”. Infant life jackets are typically marked as “infant” with a weight of less than 30 lbs or 15-30 lbs and listed as a Type II life jacket.

If you boat in Canada, U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets have a higher safety standard than the Canadian Coast Guard so you are safe to buy a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for use in Canada.

Features in Infant Life Jackets for a Baby

Infant life jackets are intended to fit snugly like a vest. They should feature a built-in “heads up” cushion (to keep an infant's head afloat in the water) and a loop handle on top of the head cushion (to easily pull a baby out of the water). Another important safety feature is a leg strap that wraps through the crotch and legs and then buckles onto the vest. This safety strap keeps the vest from sliding up and off of the infant when floating in the water and is actually a requirement for young kids and toddler life jackets.

Most infant life jackets are vinyl, although you can find some in the new neoprene material. The new neoprene fabric styles are softer and may feel more comfortable, but they can be very snug to put on an infant and cost much more. Vinyl styles will dry quickly and typically have a less bulky fit for infants.

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Boating with a Baby or Infant

Is it safe to take an infant on a boat?

Some people are very nervous about taking a baby on a boat. For active boaters (myself included), having an infant baby should not stop you from boating.

In fact, it is almost easier to boat with a baby then it is to boat with young toddlers that are climbing and running around. And if you have a boat that you sleep on, there is nothing better than the gentle rocking of a boat to help a baby sleep.

With proper safety precautions, there is no reason why you can’t continue boating with a baby.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety states that an infant should not travel on a boat until they weigh at least 18 pounds and can wear a personal floatation device (PFD).

Most babies hit that weight between 4 and 11 months old. However, I have found several infant life jackets that fit very well – intended for under 30 lbs. An infant PFD has a built in “heads up” cushion with a loop handle at the top, along with a strap that goes between the legs (to keep the jacket from sliding up). Infant life jackets are intended to fit snug and do a great job of raising the infant's head out of the water. To feel extra safe about how they work, you can practice holding the baby in a pool while wearing the infant life jacket...

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