Sailing with young kids?

[pkburns]

My husband and I are planning on buying a Catamaran and sailing the winters in the Carribean starting next Dec. Our twins will be 19 months old then. Anyone out there done/doing this? Any books you can suggest on getting started? Any suggestions on boats? Our friends and family think we are crazy.

[Gallivanters]

<font face="Arial"></font id="Arial">Our son moved aboard with us when he was 36 hours old (his first sensation of boat life was a taste of fine champagne) and he's now two-and-a-half years of age. I installed the usual precautions - nettng around the prtimeter of the deck & his first bunk and I cut a piece of plywood which inserts snugly in the bottom rung space of the ladder to prevent him from getting a toe-hold and going up when we don't want him to. I also made custom canvas panels which are laced inside the open spaces of the stern railings, bow railing and gates, where I attached brass hooks on top and elastic attachments on the bottom corners. Other than that - cover the settee cushions at he dinner table with plastic... and keep very close watch whenever they're out on deck or walking down the dock. Stuart seems to already to have developed a very keen sense of where it's safe & unsafe to be on the dock and marinas. Kids on boats? No problem - just stay alert.

Kirk

[JeanneP]

We had a friend, a professional boat captain, who made his young son wear a life jacket whenever he was near the water - on the dock, whatever. His comment to us was that, since he had never known any other way of being near the water, he didn't argue or complain or find it restricting.

It's my opinion that consistent and strictly followed rules are readily accepted by children. It's the inconsistent, sometimes followed, sometimes not, that cause problems.

We have twin grandsons, and as I'm sure you know two of them is more than double the work. I think it's a wonderful experience for them, but you will have to work on maintaining a sense of humor occasionally.

Fair winds,

Jeanne

[gerson]

no problem at all-a lot of games, a net arround, make them participate in the sailing and programs and you will find qualities that never before appear