Sailing with kids
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1998
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 11:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sailing with kids
Posted By: Copper999
Subject: Sailing with kids
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 11:39am
| I have a 16 month old son and can't wait to get him out on the water. You guys with kids, what age have you started sailing with them and whats a good family dinghy? |
Replies:
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 12:14pm
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hi copper, i think 16months is too young to get out in the boat. i would say that at about 3-4 you could take them out for a cruise. a good family dinghy, depends really on how much u want to spend how much u will use it etc, but here is a short list, laser stratos, wayfairer, rs vision, omega, there is lots of boats out there for family's just go to a local club and find out what they sail/cruise in and take it from there, and would strongly recomend swimming lessons for the young one so at least they have some water confidence before going afloat. hope this helps ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: yellowhammer
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 12:24pm
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took my first lad out when he was 18 months in a fun cat at Abersoch, F2-3 breeze ... he was comfortable out of his depth in water at the swimming baths, and I feathered the sail a lot and kept in to the shore ... my old club stipulated that they needed to be able to swim 25m confidently i now regularly sail with the two of them (age 2 and 4, only one at a time) in my Laser 3000 in light winds ... Aaron, the eldest, crewed his first 1-day open meeting at Burghfield last weekend the 3000 could be a good choice if you're proficient, as it's relatively underpowered and good for single-handing, hiking or trapezing ... a versatile boat a Mirror would be another good option if you mainly intend to sail with your lad general advice would be it depends on how capable and confident you are yourself (at sailing and swimming), how protected the water is, and what safety cover you have ... don't cut corners on the life jacket and wetsuit, get good ones that fit correctly, even if they'll only last a season or two most important, be sure it's fun for the kid ... if he's frightened it could have the opposite effect to what you're looking for |
Posted By: Garry
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 7:38pm
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My youngest was about 3 when I took him out (yacht) eldest was in canoes close to shore on rope from about 4 and sailing as crew (in mirror) from about 6.
keep the sessions very short. Get something they can play in on their own and gain confidence around teh water. Oppie, canoe or even a dreaded blow up boat with a paddle, attached to parent on shore with 10 m rope probably ideal for those dead calm sunny days.. ------------- Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk |
Posted By: yellowhammer
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 10:16pm
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i gave Aaron and Tom the trapeze elastic in their early days ... certainly wasn't trapezing conditions and made them think they were doing something Aaron's helming was a bit erratic at 3 yrs ... snaking course and unintentional S-gybes, but he enjoyed it crewing last weekend, Aaron worked out for himself at 4 yrs to pick up the opposite sheet when I said I was about to tack, and waited for the jib to flap before pulling it across ... better than many adult crews I could name |
