Start em' young!

SybariteIIISV · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009

We were all set to go for a sail yesterday but the wind was whipping up and as we pulled in to the harbour we stopped to watch a C&C 36 blow out it's mainsail just before coming in the channel... so, we decide to sit in the sun at the dock and let our newest sailor get a feel for the wheel, and tie a few knots:

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009

Now THAT'S a cute sailor, dude! Great pics!

chall03 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009

Adorable! Great photos.

SybariteIIISV · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009

We figure the earlier we get her used to it the easier it'll be down the road to explain why mommy and daddy don't want to live in a house any more!
(she's blonde with blue eyes and we'll be wanting to be offshore before she starts dating!)

annm78 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009

Too cute! My son is 2 and my husband's family is so proud he already walks around the boat like a pro. Scares mommy to death though!

T37Chef · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009

Our first child, Elizabeth, was born in November and was sailing with us by March, our second child, Olivia, was born in February and was sailing with us by March

They love it!!!

I am now looking at a sailing dingy for them to learn on...any suggestions?

leland515 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T37Chef

Our first child, Elizabeth, was born in November and was sailing with us by March, our second child, Olivia, was born in February and was sailing with us by March

They love it!!!

I am now looking at a sailing dingy for them to learn on...any suggestions?

I think that waiting until about 5 would be best for them to skipper, and start with an optimist, when they get to about 7-8, move to a sunfish, and 11-14 get them a hobie 14 turbo, then let them start making their decisions about what to do with it, how to afford their next upgrade...

bb74 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009

Just a couple words of wisdom - anytime the little ones get beyond the parking lot and onto the docks get them in a life preserver - may sound like overkill but things happen quickly and they don't mind as much as you may think once they know it's the rule.

St Anna · #9 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009

Great to to see families on the water.

My son started as the kids above did. At 6, he could steer a course with foot on the tiller and stretching to see over the dodger. He could determine which side of the red or green beacons to go. [didn't need to turn the chart upside down when sailing south - like his mother wanted to].

The pfd thing was a struggle and we all ended up wearing them.

Now, at 14, his school friends think a boat is uncool - so another phase to get through. His friends haven't grown up cruising out of the way places, so he has a world of experiences which they havent. He fitted back into mainstream school easily enough and getting great marks. I think this is a maturity thing.

leland515 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Anna

Great to to see families on the water.

My son started as the kids above did. At 6, he could steer a course with foot on the tiller and stretching to see over the dodger. He could determine which side of the red or green beacons to go. [didn't need to turn the chart upside down when sailing south - like his mother wanted to].

The pfd thing was a struggle and we all ended up wearing them.

Now, at 14, his school friends think a boat is uncool - so another phase to get through. His friends haven't grown up cruising out of the way places, so he has a world of experiences which they havent. He fitted back into mainstream school easily enough and getting great marks. I think this is a maturity thing.

If your son's friends think boating is so uncool, then he needs new friends. Just saying, it's what I'd do