Sailing with Kids: Creating Family Memories at Sea

At Sailogy, the sea has become a second home where we share the boundless joy of sailing with loved ones. Over time, numerous Sailogy clients have embraced these remarkable journeys with their families, even including the youngest members. Yet, amidst this enthusiasm, a question arises: How many families still hesitate to embark on a sailing holiday with their children due to apprehensions about its suitability?

Rather than crafting a generic article filled with conventional advice, we opted for authenticity. We turned to those who live and breathe family life on a sailboat, recognizing that they possess the genuine insights and motivation our readers seek.

The forthcoming interview introduces Marina and Fabio, two individuals united not only by their deep passion for life at sea but also by their roles as parents to three wonderful children. With seven years of boat living under their belt, they've not only grown as a family but also forged unbreakable bonds and gained fresh perspectives on life.

If you've ever contemplated a sailing vacation with your family but hesitated due to doubts, this article promises to dispel those uncertainties. Within its pages, you'll discover a wealth of insights that illuminate the undeniable allure of a sailing holiday for families like yours. 

.

Rent a Boat With Skipper: Book Your Sailing Holiday Today!

.

.

Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you live, and where you are right now?

We are Marina and Fabio, a couple who could have once been mistaken for "normal" if you had met us on the streets of Novara. Marina is a Store Manager and Fabio is an IT specialist who recently created Atmo, an ecological wooden PC.

In 2017, we experienced what some might call an early midlife crisis, which we prefer to define as a moment of revelation: we sold our home, quit our jobs, and left city life behind, along with our 2 children and our cats, to set sail on Gentilina, a 1990 Beneteau Oceanis 43.

We had opted for a two-year experiment of full immersion in the sea, without a well-defined plan for the "after." Seven years have passed, we've changed boats and had another child, but we have never given up on life at sea!

After wandering for 5 years as modern nomads in the Mediterranean, we decided to choose the Island of Elba as our winter base, a wonderful island that, along with Valerio aged 17, Leilani aged 9, and Rune aged 2, we currently call home... At least until the call of the open sea becomes too strong to ignore!

.

What boat model do you live on?

Our floating home is called Valeila, and it's a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44 from the '90s. It's a classic cruiser, very seaworthy, solid, and robust. We chose it precisely for its simplicity and reliability. It has 4 cabins, two bathrooms, and a swimming pool as big as the sea!

.

Marina and Fabio, how did you meet and what led you to share this common passion for the sea?

We met by chance in Novara and only later were introduced by mutual friends. That evening marked the beginning of everything. We immediately realized that we shared a great love for the sea and, more generally, for everything related to the great outdoors.

Whenever we had the chance, we would take a tent and our children on a trip to the mountains, the river, or the lake. During the summer holidays, we would venture along the Italian coasts with an old inflatable boat we had fixed up and adventure on marine explorations.

The turning point came thanks to Fabio's parents, who owned a small sailboat, the Pupaccia, moored on Lake Maggiore, and unfortunately gave us a very old copy of "Tamata and the Alliance" by Bernard Moitessier! We started making short trips, which became more and more frequent.

We love sailing, but more generally, life on a boat so much that we would spend even the coldest days of January on board the little Pupaccia, which barely had a stove to heat a frugal meal brought from home. It was clear to us that this passion required a more serious commitment.

I (Marina) decided to get my boating license and started commuting from Lake Maggiore to take sailing lessons. I would wake up at 4 in the morning to juggle between home, work, family, and my burgeoning passion, but the joy and energy I felt every time I was on the water made every sacrifice insignificant. A thought began to take hold in our minds...

.

When did you decide to live with your family on a sailboat?

Our jobs were certainly fulfilling, but they required total commitment, including weekends. We were always ready to pack up and leave late at night, just to spend even one night and a couple of precious hours on the Pupaccia before returning to our daily routine.

This circumstance prompted deep reflection on the trajectory of our lives. We wondered why we should spend the best years of our lives, and those of our children, in a constant race, trying to snatch moments of happiness amidst a thousand commitments.

We looked around and admired with a healthy dose of envy, mostly through social media, those families, especially foreign ones, who were living the life of their dreams, dedicating time to what mattered most: family and happiness. Their stories instilled in us the seed of inspiration. We didn't know exactly how we would do it, we just knew we were determined to change our lives... Courage was there, the boat was missing! So one day the decision came: we put our renovated house up for sale.

It was a leap into the void, but we were convinced that, if it was destiny, we would find a way to buy our boat and live freely for a few years. Destiny seemed to be on our side: in just four days, the house was sold!

Four months before the big change, we searched for the right boat, sold or gave away what we couldn't carry along, and organized "Boat Schooling" for the next five years.

.

Have your children been on the boat since the beginning or was it a gradual process?

Apart from our eldest, the other children practically grew up on the boat. Rune, for example, was only a few days old when he set foot on a sailboat for the first time, and Leilani hadn't even turned one yet.

It's often thought that sailboats are not suitable for the youngest ones, but our experience says otherwise. The environment of a boat, with its compact dimensions, movements, and sounds, can be incredibly comforting for babies, almost a reminder of the maternal womb.

And then, living on a boat means being in constant contact with nature, which offers an infinite variety of stimuli and teachings, especially for children, helping them grow with a sense of beauty and wonder.

As children grow, each develops their way of living and enjoying life at sea. Some love the thrill of sailing, while others prefer quiet days at anchor.

But the activities that can be done on a boat are so diverse and interesting that it's rare to find a child who isn't excited about the idea of coming on board. Our experience has shown us that life on a boat can be incredibly enriching for children, offering them unique opportunities for learning and growth.

.

What are your main daily challenges with kids on board?

Despite our boat being 14 meters long, the spaces are limited, and every centimeter counts. In the beginning, finding space for all the "necessities" of a child seemed like an impossible mission. In reality, many of these items, which seemed essential on land, are not equally necessary at sea.

Life on a boat and nature itself offers plenty of entertainment for little ones, and can easily replace kids' everyday objects. A cushion is a perfect bumper, and a shopping cart becomes a convenient stroller! Hence, here's our advice when packing for your sailing vacation: bring only a few essential things, and surely next time you'll bring even less!

But the real challenge was becoming a team, not just a family. During our first five years of life on board, the boat was our home, office, school, and kindergarten. Living together in cramped spaces requires teamwork, patience, and effective communication. Sailing is, in fact, a perfect place for those who want to strengthen family bonds.

Living in such a unique and special environment requires an open mind to change and growth. Daily challenges become opportunities to learn from each other, to strengthen mutual trust, and to develop a deep sense of belonging. In this context, every family member becomes essential to collective well-being, contributing with their strengths and abilities. It thus becomes essential to take into account the needs of each family member in a balancing act that teaches us to navigate the depths of our relationships, making them stronger and more enriching.

.

The three things that cannot be missing during a sailing holiday with children.

• WATER ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT

At the top of the list is snorkeling equipment, even for the little ones. So masks, snorkels, and fins for everyone! If we want to go all out, a beautiful mermaid tail for the girls! This way you can approach the underwater world together, stimulating curiosity and growing respect for the environment.

Paddleboards or kayaks are perfect for coastal explorations!

• BOOKS

Never underestimate the power of a good book! In an era dominated by digital entertainment, a sailing vacation can be a great opportunity to rediscover the magic of shared reading! Books not only entertain, but also open doors to imaginary worlds, enrich vocabulary, and are perfect for those quiet moments at anchor or under the stars.

• BOARD GAMES

Perfect for entertainment between dips, we are personally passionate about Backgammon tournaments, but something simpler and more portable like a deck of cards works fine too.

Board games are unbeatable for creating those moments of family connection, teaching children to handle both victories and defeat with a smile.

• BONUS!

Placing an inflatable kiddie pool in the cockpit provides a safe and enjoyable way to play with water and stay cool!

.

How do you ensure your children's safety on board and maintain peace of mind while sailing?

Very few but strict rules will do the job. For instance, it's forbidden to leave the cockpit while sailing unless accompanied or authorized by the "commanders," who are mom and dad. 

The key is not to be overly authoritarian but to communicate the importance of these rules and the possible consequences if they are not followed. We've discovered that clear explanations lead to children willingly following instructions!

Another fundamental measure is the use of life jackets while sailing. For this point, we advise you to equip yourself with self-inflatable jackets for children; they are much more comfortable and less bulky, don't restrict movement, and are therefore worn more willingly! 

The top safety measure when you have young children on board is to have an adult dedicated solely to their supervision.

.

What are your children's views on this lifestyle? Were they always fond of the sea, or did they need time to adjust?

Our children have embraced this lifestyle from an early age because we involved them in our adventures since the beginning, creating a family environment where love for the sea and exploration were constantly nurtured.

Nevertheless, Valerio, Leilani, and Rune are profoundly different from each other, so each of them reacts and adapts to this lifestyle differently, reflecting their unique personalities. This diversity of desires and needs has taught us the importance of listening to and respecting each other as individuals. Leilani, for example, would be more than happy to continue living as nomads forever, Valerio, on the other hand, has expressed a desire to settle in one place to continue classical studies during the winter.

That's why for the time being we have chosen to settle on Elba Island for the colder months, a place that allows us to continue living life on a boat while offering a certain stability and the opportunity to go to school.

.

Was there a moment when you thought you had made the wrong decision? How did you overcome the difficulties?

We thought we had made the wrong decision more than once! One of these early moments was during the first storm in Greece, facing the fury of the elements completely unprepared; another example is that in the first year, we realized that the budget we had planned for two years of sailing would not be enough.

Like in everyone's life, there is always a moment when you wonder if you are heading in the right direction, and a choice like the one we made has a higher percentage of risk than a more "canonical" life.

However, these experiences have taught us the importance of reflecting on the reasons why we decided to start this adventure. They taught us that [...] Life at sea, and life in general, requires a mix of courage, preparation, and, yes, even a pinch of luck. But it is precisely this mix that makes the experience incredibly rewarding and confirms, despite moments of doubt, that the direction we took was the right one for us.

.

What areas do you navigate the most?

We sailed throughout the Adriatic and much of Greece. Since we are currently based on Elba Island, we have been exploring the Tyrrhenian part of the Mediterranean Sea. Last summer, for instance, we sailed to Corsica, Sardinia, and of course the Tuscan Archipelago.

This summer, for the recording of the episodes of our new TV show "Vele all'Orizzonte" (Sails on the Horizon), we will sail from the Island of Elba to the Aeolian Islands in Sicily and then sail up from the eastern side of Sardinia. But we have learned not to make precise plans while sailing because the Sea always decides everything.

.

What is the most valuable advice you'd offer parents considering a sailing vacation with their children but worried about its suitability?

Our advice is simple: don't let fear hold you back and dive into this adventure!

If you are new to sailing, the first suggestion is to have an experienced skipper on board. This will not only give you confidence but also allow you to learn and become familiar with the boat and the sea, making the experience educational for the whole family. If you are an experienced sailor, set off without hesitation!

The main precaution, in addition to the obvious one of double checking the weather conditions to avoid any risk, is to plan short stops, without forcing the children to long sails. This way, they will have the opportunity to discover the wonderful world of the sea and the boat without stress.

A sailing holiday is completely different from a resort vacation where you can leave children at the entertainment for a few hours. Enjoy every moment with them. Explore together, immerse yourselves with them in marine adventures, and play pirates. Be kids again with them! A sailing vacation is an experience that strengthens bonds, enriches everyone, and creates unforgettable memories. We firmly believe that, with the right precautions and an open approach, it's difficult for any child to be bored during a sailing vacation!

.

What are your plans for the future?

In June, we will depart from Elba Island for a slow journey of 24 stops to the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. During this journey, we will record the new episodes of "Vele all'Orizzonte," our new television adventure where we will explore the Italian coasts and show how a family with three children lives on a sailboat. If you want to see the first 4 episodes, they are available on the "Vele all'Orizzonte" YouTube channel.

We're sure there will be plenty of fun, and we can't wait to start!

.

How can our readers follow your adventures? 

You can find us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook of "Vele all'Orizzonte." We'll be a bit busy, but we'll try to provide updates also on our channels of Valeila Sail.