2nd tender for sprogs

[YAYoHamble]

I assume it's the case on any boat with an 8 and 10 year old on board - as soon as we're anchored, they want to abscond with the dinghy and practice rowing. Actually, it's not rowing as you or I would recognise but it does involve oars and does result in some degree of propulsion in a slightly less than random irection. Probably also involves more in the way of shouting and fighting than is usual between adult shipmates.

Anyhow, they are becoming frustrated that I insist on keeping them on the end of a line. Joking aside, they are becoming reasonably competant at dinghying and I really should let them go. The problem is, if they've got the dinghy, I can't then use the dinghy to either rescue them or (more likely) drag them forcibly back for supper.

Does anyone know of a not too beach-toyish light inflatable that I can hand over to their full control?

 

[fluffc]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know of a not too beach-toyish light inflatable that I can hand over to their full control?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your kids are quite old enough now to go off on their own. Set the parameters - how far they can go, when to be back. If they break the rules, then forfeit their dinghy use for a day...

If you're worried about rescuing them, only allow use when the wind is blowing onshore so that at least they won't disappear over the horizon!

Please don't submit them to the torture of rowing a flubber (assuming your main dinghy is a solid one).

 

[yoda]

At that age my children were using the Bombard AX2 quite happily. Ideal for 2, takes an outboard, built in pumps and all packs away quite small. PM me if you want one!

Yoda

 

[DJE]

Ours started cruising with us at 7 and 8 years old and rowing around in the inflatable on the end of a rope. They very quickly dispensed with the rope and learned all about the effects of wind and tide. (It's an Avon Redcrest and they seemed to have no problem rowing it with only the weight of a few kids in it.)
Next we got a nine foot "Sit on top" canoe from Woodmill Outdoor Centre in Southampton. We carry this on deck and it's been everywhere.

The final addition to the fleet was an eight foot rigid dinghy with oars and a small sail. We have to tow this and it's been from Portsmouth to Poole several times in good weather. We found it at the back of the yacht club dinghy park, bought it cheap, and gave it a bit of a spruce up. It's a Dockerel Yachts 8ft tender. I don't know if you can still get them anywhere. The bright yellow paint was our doing and it helps spot the little darlings as they get a bit more adventurous.

We have been know to arrive at an anchorage with the entire fleet plus a radio controlled model yacht!
Hope this gives you a few ideas. Ours are both teenagers now and will do just about anything to avoid being seen on their parents' boat.

 

[snowleopard]

Good for you not letting them loose with an outboard as so many do, endlessly circling the other boats. I'd second the idea of a sailing boat but I guess a canoe type thingy is a bit more practical for stowage etc.

 

[Bajansailor]

I have a Wetline 1.8m. inflatable dink which although almost saucer shaped, does row reasonably well (with one person in it - havent tried 2 yet) and should easily cope with two little kids.
It was about GBP 260 from Force 4.
And best of all for your usage, it has no provision whatsoever for attaching any form of propulsion motor to it!

 

[silas]

how about a foldup kayak or inflatable kayak? That might solve storage problems and still let the kids have some independence.

 

[Judders]

Why not see if you can pick up a seahopper or some such? It might take a while but would be easier to stow than any other sailing boat.

Alternatively, there are some great inflatable canoes on the market at the moment.

 

[DJE]

[ QUOTE ]
Alternatively, there are some great inflatable canoes on the market at the moment.

[/ QUOTE ]
Agree but they were two to three times the price of the blow moulded sit-on types whe we were looking. Our one stows comfortably on the cabin top of a Sadler 29.

 

[YAYoHamble]

[ QUOTE ]
Good for you not letting them loose with an outboard as so many do, endlessly circling the other boats.

[/ QUOTE ]
I've seen some pretty horrendous practices by kids with outboards recently and wouldn't want mine to have the option of doing the same. Not just irritating buzzing around but outright dangerous stuff - like the lad in the water hanging onto the bow of an inflatable being pushed at speed. If he'd lost his grip he'd have lost his legs (or his knackers) as well.

 

[YAYoHamble]

Thanks for the ideas - having browsed the web, it looks like an inflatable canoe might be the way to go. Much more practical for exploring and playing and able to roll up and stow. While rigid canoes are far superior, we are a small boat family!

 

[akirk]

I was in Cotswold Outdoor this evening (local and widespread camping / outdoor chain) they were selling inflatable canoes from £100 The one which was out and inflated was a single seater for £100, but looked very well made, they also did a two seater one...