Sailing with a toddler

Is it a safety issue or the lack of running around space that's worrying you? Presumably if you've sailed with your son before then you've got all the safety gear already? If not then I would invest in whatever you need and even the stuff you think you won't. Have you got the netting stuff which blocks off railings etc? Is there anyway you could create a safe cordoned off area for him to run free without feeling like he's in a playpen? Travel stairgates?

Hi sailorgirl. The trip sounds very exciting and a real opportunity for you all, esp. your son. I have done a little bit of sailing, and last summerwe took my dd on the solent when she was weeks old, just for the odd day. It was fine, mainly because I had no responsibilities except looking after her. If it were me, I would dedicate someone to looking after your son i.e. not be included in watches etc. With 3 other people around to do the rest of the work, it should be bliss!!

Sailor girl

Can I ask you (and anyone else with experience of this) a question, how did you manage to go sailing with your DS. My DH is desperate for us to go on on a sailing holiday. I have no sailing experience (DH is a qualified sailing instructor) with DS 16 months and bump on way.

How do you keep them on the boat? - do they get bored since confined to deck space only.

my brother used to go sailing for couple of weeks with his family from when they were babies (oldest now 19 y old). Not sure what safety measurements they had. Will ask him when I am in contact to him (not very often).

I was trying to be all useful and post some safety equipment fro children on boats - but I found this instead. Will keep trying

Ok - more sensible now - here's the account of a family with an 18 mth old who went cruising for several months - cruising with children

Thought I'd post this from a mumsnet online chat that Libby Purves did with us... here's what she had to say on the subject of sailing with toddlers:

Lil: Libby, as a sailor, can you give me your advice on whether it really is possible to go sailing with a 1 year old toddler. People tell me stories of babies hanging from the boom, apparently without sea-sickness. What are your experiences, and do you suggest any kit that we should buy?

Libby: One year old is the WORST time. Fine with basket-babies, fine once they're curious chatty toddlers (about 3 upwards). If you go sailing with really little ones you HAVE to make the days short and work round them; which can rather spoil the cruise for the adults.
However, it can be done. Good kit: get a strong plastic chair and fix it with lanyards to dedicated cleats, both in the cockpit and below, so that the baby ALWAYS has a safe place to be put in, padded with a harness, if there's an emergency on deck. Also make sure the bunk is safe and that the baby can NOT crawl out and explore while you are asleep. And get lots of those awful stick-on wobbly globes, and put them all over the boat for infant to bash. We did this and people used to peer in thinking they were state of the art navigation equipment!

I've got friends with 3 kids who are buying a yacht this summer having done lots of sailing. They have a rule that EVERYONE on the boat (mum, dad and guests included) is permanently attached with a line to the safety line that runs round the edge, so if you do fall over you just dangle. NO EXCEPTIONS EVER (you only de-cleat when you're halfway down the stairs below). That way the little ones are safe and can see its not just them so not worth having a tantrum about, and you don't have to panic even in an emergency cos you know they're not going anywhere. They all seem to enjoy it!

Not very helpful but had a short email from my brother. Most important safety tip was always have safety vest on, also "ashore" (thought that was obvious but am not a expert/fan of sailing...).
He always enjoyed it "despite" 4 children and only 2 adults...

Thanks all for your posts, my husband will be pleased, although I think I will have to get over my sea sickness !!

Happy sailing sailor girl