Introducing Young Children to Sailing

[jac]

The time has come when SWMBO has nearly agreed that we can introduce the children to sailing, and I'm seeking advice from the esteemed members who may have done so succesfully ( or unsuccesfully) in the past so that we have the greatest chance of getting crew for life, with minimum risk of them running a mile.

We have 2 girls, just turned 4 and just turned 6. We sold the last boat ( a Gib Sea 84) before we had the chance to take the children out on her and couldn't afford to run a boat and have 2 in nursery, so although they know we used to sail, and have seen pictures of mummy and daddy sailing, been on boats at boat shows etc and are relatively accepting of the fact that we will do it when they are older, they have no experience od actually doing it.

We know no-one who we could use to gently introduce them and living just south of Reading, it rules out joining the local sailing club. The nearest yacht club is an hour + away and even if we joined, it would be pushing it to expect introductory trips for the whole family! - the local dinghy club is only 5-10 mins drive away but don't really think that's suitable for them at that age ( although the purchase of a laser for evening fun in the summer is appealing) so I think that rules out the "join a local club" option.

We also think it would be foolhardy to go and buy something that we think suitable until we know that the children will like it as if they don't we'd have to sell again. The original idea had been to start with the try a boat events at SIBS last september but they don;t ley young children on board those boats so thought at the moment is to charter for a long weekend or maybe 4-5 days - somewhere on the south coast - maybe Devon and probably in June and take it very very easy. e.g. a short motor on the first day - get them used to living aboard. then start sailing - v gently of course and short trips.

SWMBO is concerned that we don't know how they will react - she may need to spend all her time reassuring them etc which leaves just me to handle the boat - which i'm happy with but we're looking to bring SWMBOs brother along as another set of experienced hands.

Obviously I don't want to have to do loads of charters to settle them in as each charter will have to come out of the boat purchase fund so I'm keen that we use this year as wisely as we can so that by the end of the year I'm pestering the forum with a "What boat shall I buy thread!"

So.....

What tips for a first trip for 2 girls that might help make it a success and what else can we do?

 

[Ludd]

Don't let anybody say the word "seasick" in their hearing,give them ginger biscuits to nibble (without telling them why) and stay in sheltered waters. Get them their own mini-binoculars to look for other kids on boats.

 

[Twister_Ken]

see current PBO

 

[Kukri]

Don't fully understand question; I was taken sailing age 0 and so were my children.

You are correct in thinking that you will be singlehanding, because mother's attention will be 100% on children.

I do however have a tip:

Gameboys.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

My tip would be to give them a task to be solely responsible for. It can be a pretty trivial thing given their age, but let them guard it jealously!

At that age, one of mine was responsible for putting the hand bearing compass away and getting it out, another tasked with tidying all shore line tails up... Sounds piddling, but made them both feel involved in actually 'running' the boat rather than mere passengers.

 

[Tintin]

My kids are now 4 1/2 and 7 and have been on my boat since 1 and 4, only ever with just me.

I started off with lifejackets and life lines and they both now put them on themselves and understand that they have to wear them whenever they are out of the cabin.

They know that when they can swim twice around the boat then they donlt have o wear them in the cockpit when we are moored.

They know about using safe and solid hand holds, especially when going up and down the steps and up the side decks.

They tried steering this summer and loved it, but the younger one was (understandably) hopeless, but he enjoyed it and it stopped an argument between them.

They love sleeping on the boat overnight even if it is windy and a bit bumpy, but one night the wind was howling through the rigging and the elder one got a bit scared so I had to turn it into a game (guess which dog breed made that howl etc...).

Drawing sea stuff (fish etc..) keeps them occupied for a while.

Crab lines are OK, but tend to need me to help with.

They love playing with ropes, so rather than un hitching important things they now have their own ropes rigged.

Once I thought it would do no harm to do painting (with kid water colours) in the cockpit but I wouldn't do it again

Basically find lots of things that they find fun to do and take it slowly over several years) - the last thing you want to do is put them off.

Just thought of another tip - put a 2nd reef in and take a few rolls in the genoa even when you don't need it, then you lessen the chance of heeling, which kids find worrying, and it means you don't need to reef on your own if it picks up - you can bet that will happen just at the wrong time.

Have fun, and be mindful of SWMBO's fears too.

 

[Kukri]

We don't have life lines but we do have jackstays and safety harnesses; the elder boy fell overboard once a year without fail until he was ten and got a dinghy of his own. Just grabbed the line and pulled him out again.

Just remembered another thing; pond yacht on crabbing line; will sail away ad far as the string goes then tack and come back - magic - will work for an hour at least.

Vital to carry spare bread for swans.

 

[onesea]

Don't let anybody say the word "seasick" in their hearing,give them ginger biscuits to nibble (without telling them why) and stay in sheltered waters. Get them their own mini-binoculars to look for other kids on boats.

Agree, encourage them to use the bino's and get them to help with them.

Let them eat my daughter at 4 does not eat crisps with me ashore but on the boat she is allowed whole packets. Always have food handy sandwiches, soup, crisps, chocolate, large boiled sweets (as my sisiter pointed out, do you know how it is to cry and moan with gob stopper in your mouth ).
Do not let them get hungry, EVER. If you have run out of pre-made sandwiches you have got it wrong.

My tip would be to give them a task to be solely responsible for. It can be a pretty trivial thing given their age, but let them guard it jealously!

At that age, one of mine was responsible for putting the hand bearing compass away and getting it out, another tasked with tidying all shore line tails up... Sounds piddling, but made them both feel involved in actually 'running' the boat rather than mere passengers.

Involve them, at EVERY opportunity fenders, mooring, ropes, anchoring (careful big heavy trap fingers etc), pulling up & in sails, call out depths, wind speeds, show them the charts. Teach them knots with rewards for getting it right. IF they want to pull a sail up slow down and let them, you have children you should NOT need to rush.

Life Jackets yes my 4 year old tells me off if I do not wear one I like this, shows she see's they are essential. I must admit not done harness on present boat but if she leaves the cockpit we are on standby, or with her at sea.

Also safely moored with adult in cockpit she is allow in cockpit without life-jacket. Check their life jacket is comfortable can they easily eat a biscuit? I think modern life jackets are terrible for this.

Mine has steered since she was a baby, she would sit on my knee hold the tiller and I was not allowed to touch the tiller. I had to move her to steer!

Now she is 4 1/2 it is interesting she gets bored to easy but likes to try, you have to accept you are sailing for them.

Crabbing is essential all kids love crabbing, great thing they can do during lunches etc. Use the bags not the hooks so no worries there for sails etc, let the crabs loose on deck its fun!

"They love playing with ropes, so rather than un hitching important things they now have their own ropes rigged."

I like that, thanks one for memory banks.

"Basically find lots of things that they find fun to do and take it slowly over several years) - the last thing you want to do is put them off."

+1 You are sailing for them NOT FOR YOU, if you want them to enjoy you have to consider them at every step.

If you want to sail further (More than 4/6 hours? in one leg), leave them with grandparents etc, sail the boat there. Get grandparents to meet you.

After a trip or 2 of that they will put up with ANY hardship to do that passage, I did .

"Just thought of another tip - put a 2nd reef in and take a few rolls in the genoa even when you don't need it, then you lessen the chance of heeling, which kids find worrying, and it means you don't need to reef on your own if it picks up - you can bet that will happen just at the wrong time."

Yes and No! My 4 1/2 year old on a 24 footer demands the cruising chute at every opportunity (its got pink on it ), she is also much happier when boat is sailing with deck under water than when there is no wind.

I spoke to my sister about this we think the one to be careful off is when it starts getting choppy that kids struggle. Also reason for caution over long dull choppy passages.

Any child who gets on my boat are given the rules about life jackets harnesses. Asking to leave cockpit but encouraged to explore the boat above and below its a play ground. Walk them to the bow when sailing it is a great feeling, it will make you younger.

"Have fun, and be mindful of SWMBO's fears too."

Certainly my daughter had 18 month break from sailing (divorce) when my daughter came sailing with my new partner I instructed my partner she is NOT allowed to show any FEAR .
I was lucky I could get away with that, she was quite in experienced at the time. Now she has seen the reasoning she has done the same for her sister and son .

If children (or adults) for that matter do not know its scary then why should they be scared? Children can sense fear a mile off.

At every opportunity play with the boat, do not scare them but rock the boat, take them in a rowing boat and encourage them to rock it! Show them its a game, I start rocking the dinghy my daughter looks back and smiles and tells me off! When she started she was scared, it takes time.

Have a safe area, an area that when it does go wrong they can be, its safe but they CAN SEE. I know when my daughter is 1/2 nervous she goes to her safe spot on at the top of the companion way.

Putting kids below is not always good idea, firstly if boat is tilting they will sea water one window sky the other no horizon. It makes people scared and I think takes them along way to feeling sea sick.

Make if it fun, FOR THEM

 

[Babylon]

Don't worry, just do it. You're both experienced sailors.

I wasn't when I bought my first ever boat as a rookie Day Skipper, and my now ex-wife (a complete nightmare on land at at sea) had never even been on a yacht, yet our lad was only just two at the time and accepted it as completely normal and loved it. I rigged the lee-cloth on 'his' saloon berth which became his own special den when we were at sea, and he wasn't allowed in the cockpit without his LJ on and we clipped him on whenever we were underway.

Everything new is normal and usually hugely exciting to young children, so don't make a big deal out of it with them. Whatever you use to distract or engage them (a beach or other attraction at the destination is useful as a rationale for actually going sailing), they'll make a game out of everything and you'll find they'll become self-tending for long periods - its how children learn - so let them just get on with it.

PM sent.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Shamaya

Shamaya, our V27 is a part of the family, and my daughter really cares about her. Boat is not only mine even I have been using most...
Portable DVD, DSi game lots of pens, paper and her friends are always welcome.
Always acknowledge and price they help with thank you…
They are most important crew !

 

[Bebo]

You are correct in thinking that you will be singlehanding, because mother's attention will be 100% on children.


Also ( and I'm the SWIMBO) DVD players, nintendo's, the RYA have a great selection of kids logbooks, sticker books etc to get them interested. Colouring books, magnetic games, travel games, binoculars are a great idea as previously mentioned

We have a locker onboard solely for our daughters games etc she decided what she would like onboard, we supplied ( within reason!!) And is constantly updated as she gets older

Do not mention seasickness, as they will latch onto this!!

Our daughter has been sailing since she was 3, me 35!!. We started on a UFO 27 on the Humber ( HWMBO has been sailing since he was a child), Only going out in really good weather as the Humber can be a bit daunting! progressed to a UFO 31, which we then took to Holland before we sold her, then 2 years ago bought a Dawn Class 39, which as a family we have just sailed back from Holland to Hull ater 2 years of cruising there.

Now she is 8 I no longer have to concentrate on her 100% and she sails the boat as well and when she has had enough of that occupies herself with games in her cabin, colouring, reading or simply chatting in the cockpit!!

As a family we haven't had any other holiday for the past 5 years that hasn't been aboard with our old 31 or current boat and we all still enjoy it, so my husband did something right in introducing both our daughter and me to sailing.

Think the main points from my experience are, expect the constant ??'s and the constant Why repsonse to every answer you give!! Also pick easy weather to begin with.

Start on a small boat that you can singlehand in the beginning, I remember countless journeys up and down to take her to the loo etc!

Hope it goes well

 

[EBoat126]

Take them dinghy sailing, best way to learn. Cheap and involving.

I started ours in a Miracle dinghy, and just bought a 420, both safe dinghies with plenty of room...do not buy a Laser (hateful boats that fall over too easily have little to occupy the crew)

 

[tyce]

Surprised you have left it as long as you have to take them, i started taking mine as twins age 1, they are now 6 and love and care for the boat as much as i do, we have had our best holidays on it, only advice you need is take things sensibly, dont go for long trips and let them enjoy themselves but make sure they know that when you say something that is important that they will react straight away, i.e. hold on etc..
Oh and give them a brush and some water, kids love scrubbing the decks.

 

[xyachtdave]

They are the perfect age to start big boat sailing. Take them to the boat show and let them climb around a few boats, with a bit of encouragement what's not to like?

I think you will find the more formal route via club dinghy sailing starts at 8 years plus, unless you buy something and DIY.

Audiobooks are great for entertaining them whilst not making them feel unwell on a long trip. On arrival some halyard swinging, fishing, and a bag of Worther's Originals will keep the interest up.

Our boat is now an irreplaceable family member in the eyes of our daughter, the quality time spent as a family and the achievement felt after a passage completed is priceless.

The only mistakes I have seen friends make (IMO) are trying to turn a boat into a living room with TV/XBox/computers and making long passages in weather most of us would think twice about with lads.

 

[Boat44]

Our daughter went for her first sail at 6 weeks. She is now 7 years old and hasn't threatened to mutiny yet; although she did refuses to clean the top set of spreaders last year!!!

Dinghy sailing is great to teach them the basics of sailing. I think they start lessons at about 7, so for now you would need to have your own dinghy, or borrow one.

No reason why you cant go chartering now. All you have to do is stick to some basic common sense rules people have previously mentioned. Key is that the kids need to be involved; no reason why your 6 year old cant help sail and moor the boat up (they love “Rover” the roving fender!). And don’t be afraid to change your plans if it looks like it might be a bit too windy. We generally wont bother if its forecast F6, although if it’s a short hop in the Solent we will tend to just go now.

We keep our day time passages short 2-4 hours, although as she gets older they are starting to get longer. If we go across the channel etc we go at night so she is asleep for most of it and wakes up to fresh croissants; and a snoring daddy!

Take their favourite toys teddies etc, playdo was great at a younger age; the DS and IPod is now a must. We also play lots of board games and read books etc. Fishing nets, crabbing lines, wetsuits, kites all a must and keep them entertained for hours. DVDs also helps!! Pick you marinas/anchorages with kids in mind. Somewhere with a beech nearby is best for obvious reasons. Or just throw them in the dinghy; whilst the bosuns chair makes a great swing!

It is great fun, the boat is child proof. Just use common sense and take everything slowly.

 

[penfold]

We know no-one who we could use to gently introduce them and living just south of Reading, it rules out joining the local sailing club. The nearest yacht club is an hour + away and even if we joined, it would be pushing it to expect introductory trips for the whole family! - the local dinghy club is only 5-10 mins drive away but don't really think that's suitable for them at that age ( although the purchase of a laser for evening fun in the summer is appealing) so I think that rules out the "join a local club" option.

I'd revisit this; if the local dingy club have Optimists or similar your eldest is just getting to the age where single handing in light weather is possible, and learning along with a swarm of other squealing wetsuit-clad(kids suits can be got cheap on ebay/lidl/secondhand) kids seems likely to be an enjoyable if not a quick way to learn! My local club use Laser Picos, but the effect is much the same, unless it's cancelled because of excess wind the cadet sessions are oversubscribed and the jetty seethes with neoprene covered children attempting to out-squawk each other.

 

[Kukri]

Start right now by reading them "Swallows and Aamazons" as a bedtime story.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Day Sail

We have a modern 21.7 footer in Plymouth that we sail with our kids (8 & 3) and it's great, safe fun and never too far away from a beach and an ice cream. You can charter it if you like.

It's not too daunting to sail, winches are small enough for the little ones to help and they can steer all day or crash-out down below. Jackstays on the side mean they stay attached whatever. A good B&B or an overnight in a marina and it's great fun either way.

 

[dunedin]

We know no-one who we could use to gently introduce them and living just south of Reading, it rules out joining the local sailing club. The nearest yacht club is an hour + away and even if we joined, it would be pushing it to expect introductory trips for the whole family! - the local dinghy club is only 5-10 mins drive away but don't really think that's suitable for them at that age ( although the purchase of a laser for evening fun in the summer is appealing) so I think that rules out the "join a local club" option.

As some others have said, don't rule out dinghy sailing. IMHO opinion it is the ideal starter for getting kids sailing
- can start with very short sails, and stop before they get bored
- no waves
- in many places can sail to the swings or playpark which makes it all fun !

Something like a cheap Mirror dinghy is ideal (we had a GRP West Eleven then proper Mirror) and had them sailing from age 1 in the right conditions.
(Does assume skipper is competent and experienced dinghy helm - if only sailed yachts then get some dinghy practice first)

 

[jac]

Thanks for all the replies

( And PMs)

I've shown the thread to SWMBO and she's feeling happier.

Just to expand on a couple of points that people have asked -

Personally I would have introduced them much sooner but that was met with a very firm veto - I'm pushing my luck this year with SWMBO but some of my earliest memories are holding on to the gunwhales of my uncles dinghy and struggling to look over so must have no more than 5 at that stage. I also have vivid memories of my dad taking me and my sister off in his felicity for the weekednd when i was about 6 and she was 4 and want that for my girls. SWMBO didn't see that and was focussing more on all the things that could go wrong so thanks to all for the postivity shown.

Re Dinghy sailing - I do agree that to actually learn to sail, a dinghy is the best way. I had a mirror at about 8 or 9 and the sailed through school and university ( even managed to captain the school sailing team so must have picked up something) but think that at there present age it's probably not the best bet. To get all 4 of us afloat we'd really need something like a wanderer or wayfarer but they seem so heavy ( compared to a more modern design) and really need a crew so if the children don't like it i'm back to square one again. There is also of coure the capsize question in a dinghy - appreciate it may only be technically possible to capsize some safer dinghies but again it is the getting them wet and cold fear and then turning them off for ages risk. Certainly once they get a couple of years older ( or if they ask) then would very keen for them to do dinghy lessons and develop proper wind sense and the feel for a boat when helming.

Some great ideas to follow up re keeping them entertained and will be doing that and also some great factors to consider in terms of passage planning ( or realistically - non passage planning)