Keep them interested...

Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
There ya go ...

Sailing simulators? Model sailboats? Discuss a project and execute it at home? Teach them how to use a sewing machine?
a sure fire way to kill any interest in sailing! ;) Are you kidding me? The best way to get winter over with quick is to actually enjoy it! Don't even think about sailing unless you are taking a trip to Florida or the islands. Of course skiing, snow-mobiling, even ice fishing are among the favorite winter activities in the Badger State. I'd bet the kids would get into kite-sailing on snow-covered lakes as well. With all there is to do I rarely even get any boat projects done (I usually make a meager effort sometime in late March :redface:). I watch Captain Ron, et al, as often as Sue can tolerate it ... that and staying in touch on SBO forums is about it as far as thinking about sailing for me (not that our southern and west coast friends don't often make me envious during the winter!)

Time off just stimulates the urge as far as I can tell ... no need to worry about it.
 
Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
Winter project?

Isn't there something on the boat that can be tackled as a winter project? That's the thing about boats, there is ALWAYS something that needs to be replaced, refurbished, rebuilt, restored, painted, varnished, sanded, cleaned, flushed, lubricated, organized, stowed... did I miss anything?

Oh wait... did I just kill the enthusiasm? LOL :D

No, seriously though, everything I learned about tools, working with my hands, and never doing a half-assed job I learned from my Father and Grandfather. Without the know-how they passed on to me through boats, fishing, and building trades I wouldn't be half the man I am today.
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
You do your research and pick a Caribbean destination. Decide whether you want to crew it yourself (bareboat), or hire a crew. Price it out. Then you buy a cruising guide for your destination and spend some quality family time planning your adventure. Everybody has a job - gear, food, activities, travel planning. Make sure you throw in plenty of land adventures where you mix in the local culture, and food. BVI is a good starter charter. Line of sight, pretty adapted to American culture and tastes. Get a boat big enough to live aboard comfortably. 1 week is a minimum, 10 days better but you have to fit it to your crew.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Judging by the lake effect cloud rolling across Ohio on the news tonight, I'd offer that a lot of people won't have much time to be thinking about sailing for a couple of days.