What can I do with all my kids crap?

[solar7647]

I am redesigning my entire boat....I have an issue..... I am having a lose of ideas on how to solve. What the He*l do I do with all the crap we have to bring for the kids..IE diapers, food, cloths, toys you know the crap every kid 4yrs and younger needs.

We have seen alot of overpriced bulky storage units "made for boating" ( they have to put that so they can charge 100% more)

so...any good suggestions you guys can offer would be good. I really don't want to have a bunch of bulky storage containers all over.

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

When my kids were that age, um, we just didn't go boating all that much. Too much stuff to tote in the boat. When we did go, we most of the time got a sitter.

I never did come up with an easy solution to this issue.

Sorry

 

[angus63]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Small boating and small kids is rough. Bigger boat or bigger kids solves the problem. We did the large tote thing years ago to keep everything together and dry. Good luck!

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

The big issue is me kids luv going out on the boat and we have blast! One thing to take in mind is i have the ability to build into the boat since it is currently ripped apart and I am rebuilding it.

 

[arks]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

As mentioned, get a bigger boat!
When mine was little we had a 23 foot cuddy. The cabin became our 'trunk' for all the stuff we took along for the day.
My wife found it easier to load some large canvas totes with kid stuff, so she knew right where to find what was needed during the cruise without tearing everything apart.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Shorter cruises = less stuff ????
Oh to heck with it, get a bigger boat

 

[slasmith1]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

build the interior to look like mine.

galley space

kids room

my office.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

I wish I could get a bigger boat! Butt we have 22ft and it the perfect size to use on river or lake. When Lake Erie is rough we stick to the river and when the river is crowded we head for the lake since all the 18ft and less people tend to stay to the river since he lake can wip up some big swells fast....I like the canvas bag Idea...

 

[rbh]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

No disposable diapers, with cloth all you have to do is drag them behind to clean them.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Alton Brown's kitchen and my boat have one thing in common: The only unitasker is the fire extinguisher. I'd go for a large cooler. You could use it for kiddie toy storage, a seat, a livewell, a baitwell, some people even keep food in 'em. They're not boat specific so prices are average and are available everywhere.

Get one big enough, rip the top off and it could even be used as a life raft for junior in case the unthinkable happened. I saw one at Sam's that was big enough to float me!

 

[Triton II]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Get one big enough, rip the top off and it could even be used as a life raft for junior in case the unthinkable happened. I saw one at Sam's that was big enough to float me!

Get one big enough and you can keep junior and all his stuff in it!

 

[ddrieck]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

OK Already....lets help him out with this issue....

You don't need a bigger boat, just some good dry storage.

There are many types of hatch lids that seal water tight and can be ordered in conjunction with a live well. Instead of cutting holes to make a live well ust get the matched hatch lid and live well and use it for dry storage for all the kiddo's stuff. Then as they get older and the stuff they need to bring changes you don't have to worry since you already have the dry storage box with a water tight hatch lid....

I believe they are even available in the iboats store. Since your in the process of restoring your boat you can add what ever size suits your needs. Add as many as needed to accomidate the stuff and your set.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Ok..I think I am on to something...I just busted out my AutoDesk Inventor 3D modeling program from when I was in school and came up with a drop down hatch design that would mount to the roof of the cuddy cabin. They would be 4 inchs deep, 24 inchs wide and 36 inchs long. They would mount with a hinge at one end and a clip at the end that opens to keep them closed. I could use a cable or small bungee cord so they can only drop about 8inchs.......what do you think. any ideas or mods welcome!!!! the model is accurate in dimension so it is what they would look like in real life...If my Calculation is right.. each box would give about 3400 cubic inches of storage or just about two cubic feet (W x L x D) I could be wrong its pretty late!

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

You don't have a problem,Just wait till they want to take the boat out without the (OLD MAN)!!!

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

You don't have a problem,Just wait till they want to take the boat out without the (OLD MAN)!!!

I will buy them a john boat and a couple of paddles and tell them to have at it!

 

[aspeck]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

We bought cooler seats from iboats ... as Spots said, multi-functional for when diapers and things were'nt needed. Now we store extra FPD's in one and actually use the other for food.

Since you are rebuilding your interior, make some of your seats dry storage compartments under them ... fold up seats to access the underneat part, and a drain plug to use them for other things later. Shucks, you could even make it so when you fold the seat down you have a changing table all ready for you.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Don't over do it...

You are re-building a boat, not a storage shack...

My experience with three little ones and a boat, is that the more space you have,the more stuff you bring....

I would list the things that the usually bring along, and make space enough to keep them out of sight...

Save on weight to make the extra fuel economy...

Just my five cents...:redface:

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

Don't over do it...

You are re-building a boat, not a storage shack...

My experience with three little ones and a boat, is that the more space you have,the more stuff you bring....

I would list the things that the usually bring along, and make space enough to keep them out of sight...

Save on weight to make the extra fuel economy...

Just my five cents...:redface:

Good point...I think I found a good solution with the storage containers I posted above. I figure that is enough space and it will stay dry, clean and out of the way...plus if it dosnt fit it the container it dosnt come with us..I made a list of what we really need for a good 5-6hr day on the water for each kid.... Then gathered it up laid it on the table and I was able to fit it all in a 24x36x4 inch space with room to spare!

Thanks for all the comments....got a good laugh out of some of them! and still willing to take any good idea

 

[slia67]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

I think you are overthinking this. When our daughter was a little younger (she's 6 now) we would just bring a seperate canvas "swim bag" for her. I had her sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and other necessities in it.

If you're rebuilding the boat I would put built-in storage under the seats and where ever else you can afford the space, but I wouldn't customize it for infants because in a few years the kids will be older and out of diapers & bottles.

Hope this helps.

 

[solar7647]

Re: What can I do with all my kids crap?

I think you are overthinking this. When our daughter was a little younger (she's 6 now) we would just bring a seperate canvas "swim bag" for her. I had her sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and other necessities in it.

If you're rebuilding the boat I would put built-in storage under the seats and where ever else you can afford the space, but I wouldn't customize it for infants because in a few years the kids will be older and out of diapers & bottles.

Hope this helps.

I am not going to costamise for an infent. ...we did the swim bag for the kids last season and it was alot of trouble for us..we are looking for some thing we dont have to take with us on and off the boat. We want something that can just stay on the boat and packed so we have a little more freedom of just going with out haveing to pack bags and all that.....I will have stoarge under the seats, but I have to have a lot of gear on the boat that the law requires....


6 adult PFD , a PFD for each kid, flares, distress flag 100ft of rope for the anchor, 50ft of loose rope, first aid kit, ship to shore radio, fire extingusher, two trowable PFDs...the list goes on...plus the kids crap...plus being the person I am I cary double on some safety gear just incase...If i get busted by the WC patrol or the USCG with out the minamal equipment its a huge ticket.

I am just seeing if anyone has some tricks I havent thought of or know of something that helps, I know that there are alot of well seasoned salties on this site.....

Thanks for the comments