Big dad / small kid

I have just been through the same for my little one.

A four year old will not crew the boat and you can’t really expect that until probably in a couple of years time. So the line of thinking kind of goes “stability, can not fall out, can sail single handed”

To be honest at 4 years old (mine is four next week) they are just happy to get in a boat and have a float around and then go ashore for a picnic. After a lot of research I did not want to spend too much money and went for an older design with the choice ending between an Enterprise and a GP14 as they both are fiberglass, have inbuilt buoyancy and cheap (not to loose too much when you sell in a few years for a racing Mirror machine for them!).

I opted of the GP14 because,

1) smaller main than the Enterprise so sailing under the main alone will be easier. This is a priorty as it is soley up to you to sail the boat. The little person will not.

2) more stable (bit more weight to help out here)

3) got over the large genoa by adding furling gear so sheet loads are light for when the crew becomes a useful age

4) a cheap one came up with everything I needed!

The Enterprise would had been just a suitable but I would reef the main to reduce the sail area each time out with the little person.

Some one said there is a big difference between a four year old and an eight year old. There is also a big different between a four year old and a six year old.

the GP has very high loads on the sheets from the genoa, so is not going to be suitable for the very young to be active in.

I like the ideas of an ent and a N12.  the ent is the sensible choice, can be single handed by someone big with the jib cleats on, and ideal for scruising around too, and not too heavy to manhandle on the shore. and they do go well when it is honking too.

The N12, not a problem the weight in the back..... .buy a longer tiller extension and get forwards!! an old single bottom boat would be the way to go, the DB modern ones are not a good idea.  small jib so managable loads.  seen plenty of 8 yr olds thrown in the front of them before.  Look for an old vintage, like a china doll, then you have a circuit to go round on as well.