Sailing with a baby

[Tim Dranttel]

We just purchased an '86 Cat 30 and although I've been sailing since I was 8 my wife is relatively new to it but is game. The sticking point is that we have a 6 month old. I've sailed with babies before (my little sister) but she is not taking my word for it and wants to hear some ideas from you fine people. I say leave her in her car seat and secure it down below until she is walking at which point she graduates to a PFD and harness. Any words of wisdom?ThanksTim

 

[james]

Babysail

We did something similar. Typically when manuvering or working we put our child in the carseat. We secured it in the stern of cockpit, behind the helm. It worked out well, she could see what was happening and we could she her. If things got ugly she was in the carseat below w/my wife.Good luck.

 

[Roger Noble]

we did it

We took our son James sailing for the first time when he was only 17 days old, and went on a week long bareboat charter with him when he was 8 months. At that point he had just started "cruising the furniture," staggering along the sides of the room holding onto things. I put safety netting around the cockpit and we put him in a harness with a tether tied to the binnacle and short enough to keep him aboard. He loved it. We also bought a "Tot-Lok" chair that clamps to a table top, and would lock it to the sliding companionway cover and set him down in that while manoevering. He could see all around, but was strapped into the chair and was perfectly safe. He's 11 now and is our "1st mate."We've taken lots of infants out on our boats since then, and have always been able to find a safe place to wedge or strap in a car carrier. On our C-30 the spot is on the setee wedged between the table and the port side bulkhead.

 

[Mitch Smith]

babysailing

I didn't but my best friend took the packnplay and wedged it in the saloon.Worked well for them.

 

[Bob Robeson]

Sailing with our baby

We would not think of giving up sailing or leaving our newboarn at home and going without her.Sailing is one of the most positive ways to bring up a baby, so much better that watching TV.While she was just weeks old to 6 months, she spent most of her time in her mommy's arms, and child seat, as she is getting older she is down below and furniture cruising or up and in the cockpit cruising. Once we learnd to feed her before docking to keep her quite at the time we needed her to be, we have really enjoyed haveing her with us.She is over one now, has done may day sails, lots of weekend cruises and even a 7 day ocean cruise aboard our Catalina 36. See sleeps fine, plays well down below, we just lift the latter so she can't climb it and she has a grate time.She is now pointing at everything, birds, boats, bouys, and just taking it all in, what a joy to watch. Wait tell you feed the ducks and watch her little eyes light up! Wow.Big fun, enjoy ti!Bob

 

[Daivd Bier]

I was in that position!

I know that sailing with a baby can work very well. My parents have catalina 30. And i have been sailing on it every since I was 2 months old and now I am 15. They kept me on a harness attached to the life lines or railing. And some one would hold me or i would lie down on the seat behind the wheel. It worked well for my parents and I'm glad they did cause I love sailing!