Boating with Family & Friends

How can I make boating truly enjoyable for everyone on board?

Hands-on learning experience! When you are away from other traffic in a clear space, let others have a go at operating the boat. Talk about boat terminology (see our Boating Glossary for more), discuss basic navigational procedures, and show them how basic safety equipment works such as whistles, flares, fire extinguishers, and the radio.

If you are going out with the family give each family member an onboard duty. Family boating responsibilities can range from going over a pre-departure checklist to serving as a lookout, and can also help instill your children and partner with confidence. Working as a team is a great way to strengthen family ties.

If you plan on a longer family boating expedition, be sure to pack plenty of food and snacks to keep your kids happy and comfortable. Kids may need a break from the water at times as well, so card games, books, board games and other toys can help to keep kids occupied. It also helps to have a project or destination in mind, whether it’s finding the best skiing spot on the lake or stopping by a favourite inlet for a bit of sunbathing or sand castle-building.

Plan ahead and find out where you can go for walks and tramps in the bush or up mountains on the many islands that our coastline offers.

How do you go boating with small children?

You have to have at least two adults on board if you are going out with young children. While one person takes responsibility for the boat and its safe operation, the other is needed to keep a close eye on children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to work together as a crew. Consider practicing a “baby overboard” drill. Bring a doll to the boat, put a life jacket on it as you would the baby, throw it overboard and practice rescuing it until everyone feels comfortable with the procedure. Make sure to always establish boating safety rules with the children prior to hitting the water! We recommend visiting Water Safety New Zealand’s page on boating with kids.

Can I take my pet boating?

Taking man’s best friend or any other furry creature on board a boat requires considerable planning and consideration. If your pet is shaking at the sight of water or scared by the engine sound it’s going to be a difficult change. However if you and your pet are keen, there’s a few things you’ll need to consider.
Be aware of the local bylaws wherever you choose to land. Significant damage can be caused by dogs to native bird life in many locations around NZ.
Dogs are not permitted on most land managed by DOC in the Auckland region, including all island conservation reserves (and their foreshores) of the Hauraki Gulf and around New Zealand.
For up to date information go to the Department of Conservation website

Do dogs need life jackets?

The truth is not all dogs can swim. And not all those that can swim are great swimmers. Additionally, water or weather conditions can cause problems even for a pet that is typically a strong swimmer. Any dog can get fatigued or disoriented. Older dogs, especially, can tire easily. Pets with low body fat can have trouble when exposed to water for long periods. Health issues, such as hip or joint problems can also make swimming difficult for some pets. So, while there are no regulations regarding life jackets for pets, a dog life jacket can help keep your pet safe while aboard your boat or around any body of water. Pet life jackets are designed to keep the animal afloat in a horizontal, swimming position. An additional, important function of a pet life jacket is as a retrieval device, should your pet fall overboard.