Cruising a racing boat... With children

Judders

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Although a quick search has not bought anything up, I am aware that this theme is only a slight variation on one that has gone through this forum since it's inception.

In bed this morning, after the children had gone downstairs to their IPads, SWMBO mentioned that the girl, six, had again expressed an interest on going on the boat and staying over night. It was also mentioned that there would not be a proper holiday this year. I responded that the three of them are more than welcome to join me on mine, which is planned to be spent cruising South Devon in my Impala ahead of the Nationals in Brixham in July.

I should probably clarify that SWMBO and I are not married and that these are not my children, though I love them very much and we do get on well.

Now at six and eight, two weeks cooped up in a scruffy cramped race boat up various Devonian rivers with your mummy and her boyfriend is not going to be their idea of fun, but maybe we can have some Swallows and Amazons adventures closer to home this summer.

Where I would appreciate some input, is where folk have done similar before In a similar boat. Magic is a Hunter Impala 28. I'm sure many are familiar with the design but for those less so, she is 28', 2.5 tons with a big but manageable rig. There is a big fore peak double , two quarter berths with pilot bunks above. The saloon is small and cramped with a very basic galley and fold down chart table. The boat is primarily used for racing with a six man crew. Labour saving devices that slow her down are a Nono but we do have a furler. I've got a set of delivery sails and my sail maker has given me a good price for cutting down an old #2 into a furling #2.5 with a uv strip. I can bung the racing sails into the car and pack a fan heater. We have a hob and a grill.

In terms of the crushing ground, I think our home waters of the Solent , whilst a bit familiar to me, probably a pretty good pick. We've got olde world eat Yarmouth and Lymington, a little wildernessesishness at Newtown and Beaulieu and museums and shops at Pompey and Southampton, all within short sails of each other.

So on the face of it, it doesn't look a bad idea. I wish the boat was a bit bigger and maybe had a better galley but then don't we all? What I'm asking is what have people done in similar situations in small boats to make life easier for the parents and more fun for the children? All hints, tips and experiences greatly appreciated.
 
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We're doing the same with grandchildren now. Using the same lesson we learnt on family holidays when our kids were very young, basically do the things that they want to do and are happy with and forget all your other ambitions!
With sailing I didn't get it right with our children, trying too hard in dinghy racing and probably put them off, that was before we started yacht cruising.
Whatever you do, don't frighten them on the boat in these early years.
 
Go for it. Done properly they will have great find and want to come back many times.
We have taken non sailing kids and OAPs sailing quite a few times, and a boat like Impala will be good provided you bang in the reefs early (perhaps always). I remember once taking my mum (who had never been on a boat) sailing for an afternoon. We silently reefed and unreefed every 10-20 minutes to keep the boat upright and no flapping sails, and she never even noticed the reefs happening..

BUT. I would strongly recommend starting with an overnight or long weekend only. And choose when to go at short notice based upon a benign weather forecast, not a pre-arranged holiday date
 
At that age it should be no problem at all - our boat is very little bigger and was fine.

Your enemy is the weather, as having kids couped up in that space while it is raining would be very wearing on all concerned. Make sure they have proper waterproofs and if the weather is bad allow for nights spent in a marina visiting shore-side attractions.

The only thing I would say is that a good portable fridge is a good idea.
 
Your enemy is the weather, as having kids couped up in that space while it is raining would be very wearing on all concerned. Make sure they have proper waterproofs and if the weather is bad allow for nights spent in a marina visiting shore-side .

Or better to get a second trip is not to go the first time unless weather clement. Better to be patient and keep enthusiastic, than try to hit a schedule and put them off for life
 
I'd say go for it, they'll look at it as a big adventure.

My brother and I used to go off for a week at a time on a Sadler 25 which is an even smaller boat and we loved it. A few years later we used to do the same on a 30 foot racing design with small accommodation, he used to strap an Optimist dinghy to the foredeck so we had something to play in when we got there. On calm days he'd actually go an have a nap leaving me sailing the boat!

Also did a North Sea race on an Impala with 4 guys and me (the kid) onboard, loved that as well. I think they'll probably love it providing they get to visit some interesting places.
 
Our children did much of their growing up on our Mystere, 26' or less. For much of the time we stuck to East Coast rivers and passages of only a few hours. I think that messing around in an Impala should be a piece of cake. Children, like dogs, need plenty of time ashore, preferably doing messy things on their own. A dinghy is also essential since that is a ship they can be captain of. Of course, we were lucky in enjoying some wonderful summers, such as '75 and '76, and even managed some racing, with me on the foredeck struggling with a spinnaker, my wife handling the lines, our son aged ten at the helm and the little one just being useful.
 
Solent is ideal.
I think the advice to start with 2 or 3 day outings is good.
It may be quite hard for the Mum, keeping an eye on two kids while you look after the boat, so you need to be able to more or less do everything singlehanded.
That may need a little thought as my Impala was fine with one crew, but some things were awkward solo.
But then, because I almost never sailied it solo, I never got the autohelm sorted, and I didn't have roller furling...
 
Look for Cruising With Kids on Amazon too. Plenty of tips in that. I'd echo what's been said earlier -break them in slowly to it; short trips and possibly an overnight first. Three of us cruised a 22' with 5' headroom for my formative years,so an impala is a breeze in comparison.
 
Some good advice so far.

I have two girls now aged 10 and 8 but sailing with us for 4 years although on a fat cruiser! On that basis my top tips would be:-

Give them the forecabin if possible. It will be their den and many midnight giggles and plans will be hatched.
Let them take a bag of toys but also take some new activities that they haven't yet seen. Hide them and bring them out as appropriate. They don't need to be expensive, hobby craft etc for crafts and toyshop chains special offers.

Keep the passages short. At 6 and 8 they should manage 6hours at a push and maybe even longer but it's not fun - 3-4 hours tops. Plan on moving at most every other day, ideally every 3-4 days giving plenty of time for the kids to play. You can up the sailing after the first trip if they like it.

Plan some beach days, especially taking the dinghy ashore is very cool. Even dinghy over from say Bembridge to the beach on the south side of the harbour is great.
Look into what other water toys you can take. We bought an inflatable kayak on Amazon. Girls love it.

Download some new films to the iPads for when you need them to chill.

Make your cockpit comfortable for you and SWMBO to sit in as you may spend a few early evenings there whilst the children go to bed. So canopy, Dodgers, maybe even cockpit cushions.

Good opportunity for you to grow your own crew and get the family into it. Go for it but take your time, do a couple of weekends / over nighters first and work out how it will work on practise
 
overnight in marinas with wifi

sail no more than three hours a day when the sun is shining

Tarp over the boom

the solent is ideal

D

+1. We've sailed with our grandchildren a few times. What we found especially good was to make overnight passages. Evening meal ashore, dark dinghy trip back to the boat (which boats yours grandpa, how will we find it?) and put the little dears to bed. Couple of hours later, weigh anchor and move to next spot. Wake them up with the anchor dropping in a new place. Repeat as required. Good weather for shore trips/swimming essential. Don't fuss about the sleeping arrangements, that's all part of the adventure.
 
Stick to the Solent for the first year, easy sailing and lots of options. A reasonable cover over the cockpit to extend the living area is important. Cooking onboard can be good some evenings but also consider a BBQ, take away (or even delivered!) pizza, fish and chips etc. Marinas are good for showers, etc but the adventure of a buoy or anchor together with learning to row helps break up the days.

Yoda
 
It all sounds idyllic. If you overtake a daft old singlehander in an ex-racing dinghy kitted out like a cruising yacht, give me a wave. :encouragement:
 
Agree about the Solent. Warm, dry days and thing about 4 gusting 5 to start with.

Don't forget Portsmouth for Gunwharf or Ocean Village for cinema and / or Town Quay for West Quay shopping.

Beaulieu for the river with options to use an inflatable kayak, giving some independence to the kids. Hamble the same, go to Swanwick and go up stream for the quiet river, perhaps stop off at Mannor farm for ice creams and the petting zoo?

When I wanted to get the family into boats, I started with a canal holiday or two. Worked pretty well and got everyone into the idea before getting them to sea.
 
Agree about the Solent. Warm, dry days...about 4 gusting 5 to start with..

Warm and dry for everyone, regardless of age or experience...but force 4 or 5 to start with?

A steady force two-and-a half is still my preferred breeze, and much more takes things out of effortless control, very quickly. Novice kiddies in that situation - force 4+ in the Solent - sounds like a short route to tears or injuries. I detest total calms - so frustrating - but too much is definitely worse.
 
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We did it in a 22 footer with ours at that age. Unless they are dead keen sailors, the key is a) dont drive the boat too hard unless they are actually enjoying it. b) short hops, not too many long passages c) plenty of time ashore doing interesting things. 'Interesting' will depend on what they like doing. The actual bl;ance of sailing time vs time ashore will depend largely on the kids, and how they view a long passage. d) give them things to do on passage if they are interested, like keeping a paper chart updated: helps them learn the basic skills too.
 
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