How do I get my family to actually ENJOY the boat?

Question

Bought the family bowrider dream. Reality: kid's seasick, wife's sunburned, everyone's phone died, and I'm the only one who wants to go back out. The boat was supposed to be FOR them. Parents of boat-ambivalent families — what actually worked?

marina_mary · Answer

Destination > journey for kids. 'We're going boating' = whining. 'We're taking the boat to the ice cream place / sandbar / raft-up with the cousins' = they're carrying the cooler for you.

onemoreboat · Answer

Let everyone own a job. My 9-year-old is 'fender captain' and takes it deadly seriously. Ownership beats entertainment.

hatterashank · Answer

Short trips, calm days, home before anyone asks to go home. You're building tolerance like a workout program. The 6-hour July 4th death march is how you end up boating alone.

weekend_wally · Answer

Fender captain deployed last Saturday. Kid now salutes me. We may have over-corrected. Thanks all — sandbar trip next weekend.

How do I get my family to actually ENJOY the boat?

4 replies