This weekend, weather permitting, I'll be bringing my 2 Yr. old granddaughter on board with me for the first time. I've gone 'round-n-'round with my wife & daughter about the best ways to secure her. Obviously a good stearns life jacket (Mom thinks she should wear it in the car on the way to the lake!!) will be on her at all times, but in addition I bought a harness and tether as well as that netting to secure to the lifelines. My preference was the tether, so the little one could have some freedom of movement in the cockpit. I plan to shackle it to the pedestle guard so she can't get to far away. If I'm below I'll find something in the cabin to attach her to, or on the foredeck the same way. Mom and Grandma insisted on the netting as well, thinking that the 6' or so tether won't be long enough for an active 2 year old. I'm interested what others with small children have done to secure them on board. I want sailing to become a fun, yet safe, activity and really want to start her out right with a good balance between safe and comfortable. Helpful comments appreciated . . . . .
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Gerry Lattimer
6' Tether is too small
I have taken my 3.5 year old daughter out a number of times since she was 2 and the best solution I have found is to choose a day when it isn't too rough and have at least one person keep an eye on her at all times. It is a little scary having her roam around unattached, but she did fight the tether with all of her will. If it gets too windy or rough I douse the sails and motor in. Also I let her become familiar with the boat in the slip a number of times before I actually took her out in the ocean so she was used to crawling around on it.
I have taken my 3.5 year old daughter out a number of times since she was 2 and the best solution I have found is to choose a day when it isn't too rough and have at least one person keep an eye on her at all times. It is a little scary having her roam around unattached, but she did fight the tether with all of her will. If it gets too windy or rough I douse the sails and motor in. Also I let her become familiar with the boat in the slip a number of times before I actually took her out in the ocean so she was used to crawling around on it.
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Kurt
Don't compromise
Steven; My family is upgrading this summer from a 14.2 lake-kept day sailor to a 31 ft. bay/ocean kept sailboat. My children are 7.5 and 3.5 and I've opted to go with all the available options; good PFD, lifeline netting and harness/tether/jackline. I envision using tether/harness and jacklines intitially so they'll have a bit more mobility than simply being tied to one spot.And then, as they and I get more comfortable, and assuming it's a calm day, I might allow them a bit more mobility and go with just the life vests and lifeline netting for safty. The latter is also critical when the boat's in its slip. I don't want them tethered to the boat at all times in dock, but need to feel reasonably sure that they won't fall overboard either. Of course, all of this is IN ADDITION to one of us always keeping an eye on them too. Kurt
Steven; My family is upgrading this summer from a 14.2 lake-kept day sailor to a 31 ft. bay/ocean kept sailboat. My children are 7.5 and 3.5 and I've opted to go with all the available options; good PFD, lifeline netting and harness/tether/jackline. I envision using tether/harness and jacklines intitially so they'll have a bit more mobility than simply being tied to one spot.And then, as they and I get more comfortable, and assuming it's a calm day, I might allow them a bit more mobility and go with just the life vests and lifeline netting for safty. The latter is also critical when the boat's in its slip. I don't want them tethered to the boat at all times in dock, but need to feel reasonably sure that they won't fall overboard either. Of course, all of this is IN ADDITION to one of us always keeping an eye on them too. Kurt
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Jonas
Supervision number one
Kids and water are like flying jets at low altitude-one moments inattention and disaster. Sounds like you've got redundancy built in, but don't let it make you over confident. Little ones are as good as racoons in getting through security devices. Always ensure one adult has positive control-never assume. Also think out your priorities ahead of time-what can you afford to let go in lieu of accepting decreased attention to your little explorer. How will you incorporate positive control if a disaster should occur..Its a lot, but any mistakes could change the rest of your life.
Kids and water are like flying jets at low altitude-one moments inattention and disaster. Sounds like you've got redundancy built in, but don't let it make you over confident. Little ones are as good as racoons in getting through security devices. Always ensure one adult has positive control-never assume. Also think out your priorities ahead of time-what can you afford to let go in lieu of accepting decreased attention to your little explorer. How will you incorporate positive control if a disaster should occur..Its a lot, but any mistakes could change the rest of your life.
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Mike Hagerman
Attaching the Safety Netting
We have 2 1-year old's - Labrador puppies that is. Next year we'll be getting a baby boy who we'll need to keep on board, too. I want to install safety netting on our 1977 Cat 30 but can't figure out how to anchor the bottom part of the net since there are few if any tie-down points. Suggestions?
We have 2 1-year old's - Labrador puppies that is. Next year we'll be getting a baby boy who we'll need to keep on board, too. I want to install safety netting on our 1977 Cat 30 but can't figure out how to anchor the bottom part of the net since there are few if any tie-down points. Suggestions?
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Steve B
Thanks everyone
Very sound advice from all. I will be taking it very slowly as I get used to a new (to me) boat and having a youngster aboard as well. And for Mike, I just recieved the netting from BoatUS and what I plan to do for securing the bottom is to run a line through the stanchion bases from bow to stearn, and weave the line through the netting every few inches or so. Should be OK, but I'll let you know when I actually get it installed. Thanks again.
Very sound advice from all. I will be taking it very slowly as I get used to a new (to me) boat and having a youngster aboard as well. And for Mike, I just recieved the netting from BoatUS and what I plan to do for securing the bottom is to run a line through the stanchion bases from bow to stearn, and weave the line through the netting every few inches or so. Should be OK, but I'll let you know when I actually get it installed. Thanks again.
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Hayden Watson
netting attachment
My daughter has been sailing with us since she was 2 weeks old. Netting all around has always been a standard. On my boat I took the lifelines off and wove it though the netting. Make sure that you stretch the netting tight along its length as well as its width. The tighter it is the better it works and looks. This takes a bit of work and several tries but the results are worth it. At the bottom I have a 1/4” line which runs from the base of the pullpit to a stainless carabiner hooked into the hole in the front pushpit base and up to a small bow shackle which is inside the pelican hook on the top lifeline. This line is woven though the netting and the stanchion bases. When you close the gate you leave the carabiner off until the pelican hook is hooked. Then you can stretch the 1/4” line down to the pushpit base. This gets the line very tight. It took some work to get everything adjusted but the final results were worth it. The finished product keeps my daughter (now 7) and lab onboard. The dog uses it for a hammock. His favorite place on the boat is hanging off the low side of the boat when sailing. He weighs 70lb. This stuff is strong. It also keeps everything on deck from blowing over the side. When you drop your jib all you need to do to secure it is put a little tension on the sheet. It has also kept my feet from slipping over the edge. I have received lots of comments on how good my netting looks and don’t plan to remove it. If done right its a great addition to the boat. Hayden Watson 1988 C30 Papillon Spokane, WA
My daughter has been sailing with us since she was 2 weeks old. Netting all around has always been a standard. On my boat I took the lifelines off and wove it though the netting. Make sure that you stretch the netting tight along its length as well as its width. The tighter it is the better it works and looks. This takes a bit of work and several tries but the results are worth it. At the bottom I have a 1/4” line which runs from the base of the pullpit to a stainless carabiner hooked into the hole in the front pushpit base and up to a small bow shackle which is inside the pelican hook on the top lifeline. This line is woven though the netting and the stanchion bases. When you close the gate you leave the carabiner off until the pelican hook is hooked. Then you can stretch the 1/4” line down to the pushpit base. This gets the line very tight. It took some work to get everything adjusted but the final results were worth it. The finished product keeps my daughter (now 7) and lab onboard. The dog uses it for a hammock. His favorite place on the boat is hanging off the low side of the boat when sailing. He weighs 70lb. This stuff is strong. It also keeps everything on deck from blowing over the side. When you drop your jib all you need to do to secure it is put a little tension on the sheet. It has also kept my feet from slipping over the edge. I have received lots of comments on how good my netting looks and don’t plan to remove it. If done right its a great addition to the boat. Hayden Watson 1988 C30 Papillon Spokane, WA
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Aaron Gregg
Swim for it.
Teach the kid to swim... There are many classes available for kids as young as 6 months.
Teach the kid to swim... There are many classes available for kids as young as 6 months.
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Mike Hagerman
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