Granddaughter's first sail

[PotomacDaysailer]

Took my granddaughter out for her first sail. She is nine and has been out on ski boats and a cabin cruiser before -- I figured I'd better expose her to the One True Way before the forces of darkness corrupt her

We rented a Catalina 22. Weather was cool with maybe 12-15 kt breeze, higher gusts. We sailed under just a jib and reefed main to keep from heeling much.

She was excited to take the tiller and got the knack of steering pretty quickly (better than her grandmother). I think she may have got the bug - at least, she asked when could we go out again. I may have my leverage to talk my wife into a pocket cruiser next summer!

 

[jimmyb]

Way to go PD. Nothing like the smile on a childs face to tell you job well done. I bet she will always have fond memories of the first day she sailed, with grandma and grandpa, and taking the helm to boot. What a thrill.

God Bless, jimmyb

 

[John Nantz]

You done good!

At age 9 she's too young to be using a boat as a boy magnet (hopefully), but if she can impress her friends and share this in class at school, it might be just enough to really impress her classmates and give her an ego boost. And that could be the catalyst for more sailing.

The comment about how she can run the tiller at age 9 is good. It shows she can think and understand what is happening. This is excellent. Sounds like you've got something there you can work with.

Choosing a C-22 on a day with wind like that instead of your flush deck was probably a good idea. The C-22 would be a bit drier and more comfortable. However, there is something about being in a sailing dingy and watching the water going by just inches from your hand. Maybe when the weather is warmer again, and the wind a little lighter, it would be time to "test the water" again.

I like your strategy about how to morph into a pocket cruiser. There's plenty of time to think about it and mull it over. Keep it up!

 

[Miss Kayla]

After our grandaughter sat in in the Catalina for several hours at the dock, I took her out for the first time last summer. Once the sails were raised, she looked up and didn't look away for about a half an hour. Then she looked at me and smiled. She is only 3 yrs old, but she has been on the power cruiser since she was 3 days old with grandpa and grandma. It was only natural that the Catalina 22 that was just purchased, had to be named after her. I think she will be a true sailor in time.

 

[sfgary]

Great job! I took my granddaughter out last Sunday and she sailed across the slot in front of the Golden gate bridge, she is also 9. She absolutely loved it. She called last night and wants to know when we are going again.

Gary