Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

[S.Lee]

Hello,<br />First, I am really new to boating, and infact just purchased my boat in April. Anyhow, we just got a tube for behind to pull the kids on. They are really young (9 and 7), so we bought a 2 person and my wife will ride with them (I don't like that sort of thing). My question is at what water temperature do you think it is safe for them to do this wearing only a bathing suit and lifejackets? I think that it should be 65 min. They potential is there for them to go into the water, and be there for up to 5 minutes. Just looking for some opinions.

 

[tommays]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

i would recomend a 1/8in wet suit there pretty cheep in kids sizes<br /><br />kids allways think there cool when they wear them and it does offer a lot of protection from HYPORTHERMIA <br /> <br />and it will keep them from getting the chills when they get back in the boat <br /><br />tommays

 

[bayman]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Most kids that age are pretty thin. Not having much mass they will get cold rather quickly. I also encourage the use of wet suits when they will make boating more comfortable. If the kids are comfortable they are much more likely to have a good time and are more eager to spend some good quality time with the family out on the boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Does Canadian law require an additional adult "spotter" in the boat?

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Good question,<br />If it does, then we will use one. I don't think so though, I see people at the lake all the time with a child spotting, but I don't know for sure. I know I would feel safer if the MRS was on the tube with the young ones, rather than spotting.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

i would say 70, 65 is a bit cold.<br /><br />kids that age can talk, listen to them. if they are shivering and have blue lips, tell them time to take a break.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

From Canadian Shipping Act<br /><br />

<br />Small Vessel Towing Activities<br /><br />41. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate a small vessel while towing any person on the water or in the air,<br /><br /> (a) unless there is on board a person other than the operator, who is keeping watch on the person being towed;<br /><br /> (b) unless there is seating space on the small vessel to accommodate the person being towed;<br /><br /> (c) if the person being towed is not wearing a personal flotation device or lifejacket, unless the small vessel carries the personal protection equipment that would be required under Part II if the person were on board; and<br /><br /> (d) during the period beginning one hour after sunset and ending at sunrise.<br /><br />(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a small vessel that is being operated during formal training, in an official competition or in a skill demonstration, if the vessel meets the safety requirements of a governing body respecting such training, competitions or demonstrations.

Doesn't specify an adult. How old/responsible will the children be as spotters?

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Hey Tacklewasher,<br /><br />I was just about to post that. Tough call on will they be good spotters, but, remember where we do this, there are not alot of other boaters. I would feel alot better like I said using one of the kids as a spotter. Plus I am not exactly going to be going very fast or getting too carried away. I like hearing others opinions though.

 

[kaiyuh1]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

kids bodies are smaller and will lose body heat quicker than adults so if it is uncomfortable for you then it will be too much for them. it is better to be safe than sorry and i agree with tommays.

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Sure, <br />a wet suit is a good idea, but at what temperature is one not needed, or when is one needed. I have been looking into them, but it seems the folks who are selling them are the ones with the charts.

 

[tommays]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

it depends on the person some people were a light shorty suit all season even down here on long island the water really never gets warm <br /><br />its just not painfull at some point but i would not want to spend the day in it<br /><br />were your boating i got to think the water stays pretty cold <br /><br />its hard to decide if someone else is warm enough<br /><br />i no my children never enjoyed water sports with out suits unless it was blazeing hot and the water was 80 deg<br /><br />tommays

 

[jlinder]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

I'm not sold on the idea of having your wife in the tube.<br /><br />I can see where her presence could be a moral support to young children. But if the question is safety and communications, I'm not sure what she can do. She can't hold them in, and if they fall out by the time she reacts they are she is not that close.<br /><br />There always want to have a mature person spotting for me. They react quicker and give me more information. Kids have a tendency to let their attention wander and at critical times you may find them looking off at another boat.<br /><br />If I am told of a problem quickly (someone fell off) I can stop, turn around, and be near them pretty fast.<br /><br />If you want added safety have your throwable ready on a line.

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Thanks for the opinions folks and please keep them coming. When I am new to something, I like to get as many opinions as possible, I then weed thru them and form my own. I don't think I will be able to get wetsuits for them before we leave on vacation Friday afterwork, but then they can wait if I feel the water is too cold.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Adult spotter only for safety, what if, heaven forbid, something from illness to overboard occurs with only one adult aboard, could child take control?

 

[DJ]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

Most kids that age are pretty thin.

Not today.<br /><br />Geez, if it's too cold, don't go. Forget the wetsuits and all the other nonsense. Stay home and let them wakeboard/ski/tube via a videogame.<br /><br />IMHO, get them out in the environment, promote fun and they'll ask for more.

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

txswinner,<br />why not? Both my kids even as young as they are have been shown how to operate the boat. I have let them practice everytime we go out, just in case there ever is a need for them to. Good God, when I was 9-10 years old I was operating farm equipment regularly. I have also went snowmobiling and let my son drive my wifes sled while I led on my sled. I could see your point on a busy lake with lots of people around, but such is not the case where we are.

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

DJ,<br /><br />I agree with you completely. After looking into wetsuits, I am not going to be buying any anytime soon for the once or twice a year we are going to be doing this. My kids have been doing stuff outdoors since they were babies. My son has been riding a snowmobile since he was 3, and atv's as well. Same goes for my daughter. Kids need to be outside, having fun. I am still curious as to what others say is too cold or to warm. I am thinking right now that as long as their lips aren't turning blue and they are having a good time, it is a go.

 

[DJ]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

S.Lee,<br /><br />TEACH them to TELL you when they are cold. <br /><br />Technology cannot, at least not yet, replace parenthood.

 

[S.Lee]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

DJ lol<br />I thought that went without saying, but today, the way some people think, I guess it doesn't. I don't want to see my kids get hurt, but I think I would be hurting them alot more by coddling them.

 

[DJ]

Re: Safe water temperature for pulling kids on a tube.

I would be hurting them alot more by coddling them.

DITTO!