kids onboard

[mttcarv]

hi all just wondering who else has the kids in tow and how do you cope ?what are your thoughts on saftey ect?is there such thing as a child safe craft?
we have two children 2 and 6 one on the way feb.we dont live aboard at the moment but would like to hear the veiws of those that do.
thanks
matthew

 

[Talbot]

Lots of people do this in different ways. Some people string netting along their guardrails completely, others keep kids down below during passage (although why that should give them a love of sailing I dont know. Some insist on harness as soon as they come up from below, others rely on lifejackets.

My personal method was to buy a catamaran with a large cockpit. In normal weather the kids were allowed into the cockpit without any harness or lifejacket. In calm conditions they were allowed forward during passage provided they were on a harness. Worked for me

 

[Tamarisk1]

Agree with Talbot's comments but would add that kids car seats fixed/lashed in the cockpit seem to work well for the very young.

 

[Cheeky Girl]

Our kids are now 5 & 7 and have been sailing with them for 3 years. They always wear lifejackets when moving and harnesses and this allows them to wander around and also if the wind picks up they can be secured in the cockpit. At anchor lifejackets are not needed in the cockpit but if they are going on deck then they are required. We also have a special place for them to go when mooring or berthing so they are out of the way - this is also the quiet time!!! As the last thing you want to hear is "Daddy what is that boat over there!!!!" when you need to know how far off the pontoon you are....

But most of sailing with kids is enjoyable and fun
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Adrian]

our Kids now 6 & 9 have been sailing with us for years, we insist on life jackets for all crew once outside the cabin, we felt it was unfair to ask the kids to wear them without us wearing them as well, they hated it at first as we had the bulky foam type, we've since invested in the auto inflate collar type, the kids love these as they "look like propper sailors" and they forget they've got them on.

We find 3-4 hours sailing is about enough before they get board and start fighting (both boys!) so we plan our days in 4 hour chunks with plenty of messing in the dinghy, swimming, fishing running about burning off energy in between.

 

[yachttequilla]

Our kids are now 9 and 10 and we've moved on from them keeping them quiet stage to them being useful. They tie a mean bowline, row ashore with lines to tie on so when I back in to anchorages thet require tieing back the line is already there. They can also hop off and tie up with more athletism tham SWMBO (but don't tell her I said so).

In rougher weather they generally don't need telling to head for their cabins and go before I'd make them!!

Guess it's a personal thing about how safe you feel but if they get involved progressively as they grow it's great for their personal development and general self-confidence.

Steve