just can''t help it.

[catamount]

Here''s a thought about how to keep the grandparents reassured about the safety and well-being of their grandchild during this grand adventure -- Communications! Take a cell-phone or satellite phone and keep in touch with them-- Every Day! (at least at first) E-mail pictures to them all the time. Then maybe they too can become involved in the adventure.

As to how to ease them into it before hand, the RV analogy is a very good one. Also, communicate with the grandparents during the re-fitting of the boat and the preparations for the journey -- keep them filled in on exactly what you are doing to prepare and why, so that they can have confidence in just how well-founded the boat and its crew are.

Good Luck!

[seame]

Hey there,
I can tell you there is no better life than raising your children on board. Both of mine were born on board and we sailed with them until they reached high school and are now in college. Well on off one soon to go.

I even sailed back from NZ to California alone with the kids. I often got that "too dangerous" part. Well the most dangerous part of sailing is getting on the freeway to go to the boat!

Compare the amount of lives lost at sea with those lost on the highway. Open a new world to your child. My children have no racial/gender or political prejudices. They speak languages and are just as comfortable with adults as young people. They revere elders and they respect nature.

Do you know any teenagers who when asked what they wanted most upon arriving in port said "Fresh fruit and vegetables"? Go for it and if you have any questions, please don''t hesitate to ask.

seame

[seame]

Hi,
My two children were born on board and we sailed until the oldest was in high school. Get them a plastic sextant and teach them to navigate. Don''t worry about peanut butter on the sheets.

Netting around the deck and stop the boat anytime they want a swim. Have plenty of games on board that you can play together. Books to read alone and outloud. If you play muscial instruments that is great too.

We did Calvert school and the New Zealand correspondence schools and I also did some on my own. All were fine. They learned and grew. My oldest in in University now and my youngest to go in the fall.

Snorkeling from very young. If they can''t swim, put them in an inner tube to snorkel and they can stay out longer and enjoy more.

You have the biggest swimming pool in the world enjoy it!!

seame

[Whitewings2003]

Help, I am looking for a md2b in running condition, if you know of anyone with an engine that they are planning to up grade or replace and would be interested in selling their engine please let me know. I took my boat from Washington State to Mexico last year and broke everything on my boat. My boat is lieing in La Paz Mexico and I will be going down soon to change engines. I have a couple of prospects but am still trying to find the perfect engine. Thanks in advace,
Bill Wilfong

P.S. do you have a bulliten board in your marina that you could put a note up for me?