So, I'm curious about people's experience sailing with kids. I always sail with crew; that now could potentially include my toddler on mild days (in the care of his mother, with safety gear, of course).
I don't have a ton of money, so I'm strictly in the used-boat market. I was originally planning on taking it easy and getting the Hobie Getaway, but they're in surprisingly high demand and the price point for what you get is a bit steep, IMHO. For comparison, I'm looking at a beautiful Nacra 6.0NA tomorrow that's in the same price range as several used Getaways I've found over the past 24 months of looking.
But anyone have experience sailing such a big boat with young children? If I have a mild day and go out without the jib, is the "beast" manageable? I sailed a Hobie 16 fairly religiously for a while (and some Waves, Flying Scots, etc). I got pretty comfortable with the H16, but I know there are a LOT more controls on a big boat like the 6.0.
I'm just over 200 lbs and always sail with crew, so a bigger boat seems pretty nice after how much the H16 would bog down. Ideally, I want something that is quick and fun for when I go out with adult crew, but I could also depower and cruise a bit on a mild day with some n00bs/adorable baggage.
Doable with a Nacra 6.0NA? Any strategies for this? (AKA, should I upgrade to a rolling furler, etc)
Or should I really rethink this?
Sailing with (young) kids on a Nacra?
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 11:44 AM
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 03:49 PM
First there is no absolutes on this subject, I know longtime beachcat sailors who routinely take very small children and groups of children out on high-performance beachcats like the Supercat 20 and Nacra 6.0 with no issues.
However I also personally know cases where it didn't work out and the children grew up with no desire to get on a beachcat if they didn't have to.
So only you know the combination of your boat handling abilities and the child's "hardiness" that will work.
But as general advice for someone who is not already a long-time Nacra 6.0NA sailor, that doesn't sound like a good tool for the job.
But where do you sail? Lake or ocean, from the beach or a dock? How are the prevailing wind and water conditions? Smooth lake with low winds you can sail anything, until the thunderstorm pops up.
To answer your question, no, I don't think the 6.0 is a fit. Why? You remember sailing a Hobie 16, sounds like that is your main beachcat experience.
You have to keep in mind that the Hobie 16 is the Beast, all beachcats are overpowered, it's their nature. The difference is in the kind of beast, think of the Hobie 16-8 and other classic beachcats like the Prindle 16-18, Nacra 5.0, 5.7 as a beast like a large dog. Powerful, but can be tamed by most people.
Then you have the pre-spinnaker high-performance beachcats like the Hobie 20, Nacra 6.0, Prindle 19, Supercat 19-20-22 which are still beasts but more like DRAGONS that can be tamed by some.
Then you have the modern spinnaker boats that are more like THREE-HEADED DRAGONS.
Depending on the factors I mentioned above it sounds like a Hobie Getaway is just the ticket if you can get one. Your kids will have a blast and they will be able to bring as many friends along as wanted to share in the fun. Sailing will be fun instead of terrifying and they will grow up craving more speed instead of less.
Just the opinion of a bachelor with no kids, so feel free to disregard.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 04:09 PM
Definitely hear you, loud and clear. Thanks! It's why I had been focusing my search on the Getaway, until recently.
I do a lot of my sailing at a lake (Marburg, in Codorus state park in PA). I've also done cat sailing on the bay and in the ocean and will do more of that once I get to know the Nacra.
I understand that I have a learning curve ahead. I'd probably get an entire season in before taking my kid out, etc.
I hear you re the Getaway being a good fit for the family. So I may end up sailing this one for a bit and then getting a Getaway (or even a Wave) for the family, for that exact reason.
But in the meantime, I guess my main question for anyone that has owned one--what have you done when you want to "cruise" more with extra bodies? And just how bad has the "spaghetti tramp" situation been?
Edited by thebeardedone on Mar 17, 2016 - 05:11 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 09:03 PM
I think a getaway is a good choice for a family cruiser. The wave is likely to small for 3, even if one a toddler. I will vote for my old favorite a H18 magnum for your needs. The wings make it great for kids and adults. More complicated than a H16 but not like a modern spin boat. I recently moved to a 21 for the extra room, had my 18 for over 10 years.. I currently have two 4 year olds and a 5 year old. So I will take a total of 3 kids and 3 adults on the boat and the 18 was ok, but my 21SE is better for that on mild days. I always have everyone in life jackets and the crew knows they are assigned one kid each.
I think the 6.0 might be a bit much. I went for the 10' beam with wings to add stability to a performance oriented boat. Knowing how to depower is important too.
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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 09:25 PM
all depends on the weather, skipper's skills and child's ability to follow orders (stay put, shut up, RUN, swim... etc)
it can be done but it's a risk.
I have a good friend who's daughter was on a cat as a toddler but so was the mother, and the kid was VERY well behaved and they were good mariners, with lots of other friends and boats around at all times. -
I had a gf and her obnoxious 6 year on board once. i turned around and returned him (and her). i'm unwilling to accept that type of risk
I personally dont think cats are a great idea for anyone who can't swim - they become an extreme "problem" WHEN things go unplanned (i.e. mast falls over, person falls overboard, etc
" should I upgrade to a rolling furler, etc" - YES!
reducing sail area it is a GREAT (and my "goto") way to depower any cat
that and dowhaul, outhaul, travel out and sheeting (and hangon)
Edited by MN3 on Mar 17, 2016 - 09:30 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 09:50 PM
You might also notice my 5 year olds head/hat in my avatar picture. Yes kids behavior/attitude, skipper skill and conditions are all huge factors. In this pic my brother and his 2 kids were on a SUP being towed while taking pic.
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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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Posted: Mar 17, 2016 - 10:20 PM
Thanks, all! Great points, all around. As soon as my kid could walk, I got him in a lifejacket and taught him to float and took him on a few short sail rides, so I totally agree that the points above about attitude/skill/boat-size are all spot on.
To be clear, I don't plan on it *primarily* being a cruiser--just the opposite, in fact. But I am interested in depowering on a calm day or two and taking crew out who are just there for the ride. And thankfully the lake nearby is really very mild, so a good "training wheels" area.
I've kept my eyes open for H18s and lots of other options. At this point, I'm leaning towards working with the good deal I have, take some time to master the boat, and then reevaluate my passenger options. I didn't have a boat all last summer, so at this point I kinda want to take what looks like a great opportunity and get out there!
Edited by thebeardedone on Mar 17, 2016 - 11:22 PM. -
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Posted: Mar 18, 2016 - 03:54 AM
my feelings exactly.
i sailed a Nacra 5.8NA for 10 yrs and i imagine a 6.0 is MORE but in many ways similar. Nacras sail very flat compared to an H16. Much more buoyant and safe up front. but that said, they make the most of the least amount of breeze and can really provide a great/wild ride (understatement?)
i now have a Nacra 20 and 2 years ago, i sailed on a moderate day (7-9 mph) with my adult daughter and her 3 kids, aged 2, 4 & 6. Mom held the 2 yr old but i let the other kids take turns on the helm. we had most of our weight on the windward hull so i wasn't too worried. they did great. biggest problem was seeing over the adults in front of them!
i'll play devil's advocate here and say go for the 6.0NA. furl that jib if overpowered and always pack crew on a day over 10mph. you'll probably be able to put 2 crew on the wire and you on the helm on a windy day, but on a mild day it will be fine if you know what to expect.
j
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Posted: Mar 18, 2016 - 10:28 AM
I sail and race my Nacra 5.2 with my kid all the time. The 5.2 is small enough to handle by yourself in almost all conditions and is a little more stable and forgiving than a 5.8 or 6.0, in my opinion. I think the 5.2 is the perfect parent and child catamaran. My little man loves to get on the trap. -
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Posted: Mar 18, 2016 - 10:29 AM
I sail and race my Nacra 5.2 with my kid all the time. The 5.2 is small enough to handle by yourself in almost all conditions and is a little more stable and forgiving than a 5.8 or 6.0, in my opinion. I think the 5.2 is the perfect parent and child catamaran. My little man loves to get on the trap. -
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Posted: Mar 18, 2016 - 11:26 AM
I will give you a vote of confidence for the 6.0. My wife and I used to take out our children when they were very young. Like one and 2 years old. They loved it when we dragged them behind the boat. All cats are fine in light air. They are much more stable than any small monohull. All are very manageable, again as said by all the boat is not the problem or the challenge it will be the children. Having said that, children really respond incredibly well to sailing. It is not like trying to get them to sit still at a dinner table or in a classroom. I would never attempt anything approaching 10 knots of wind. Under that all will be good. Just be prepared to call it off if the wind builds. We took our kids everywhere and they loved it. -
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Posted: Mar 18, 2016 - 03:14 PM
Thanks! My pick-up date got pushed back a week (crew couldn't make it today, and I want them to learn the rigging with me), but I'm feeling good about giving it a go. -
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Posted: Mar 19, 2016 - 02:03 PM
Here is my experience: one of my daughters, when she was about 10 years old (don't remember exactly), she loved to sail fast with me, fying hull, etc.. She would even take the helm from the trap sometimes. Sailing was very funny for her and for me. Until we pitchpoled because I was distracted, flying a hull with her out on the trap. It took her several years to recover confidence and enjoy it again. Actually the change of the boat helped too, from N5.0 to N5.5. I think it's not so much about what boat but about yourself. Today I know in which conditions I can sail safe enough and in which I shouln't go with children. Back then I was a bit new to my cat, eventhough it was an easy one. -
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Posted: Mar 21, 2016 - 03:36 PM
Hi ,
here you can find a video from me together with my son LUCAS. on this video he is 5 Years old. The Cat ( Hobie 14 ) is owned by Lucas, i´self sailing a Nacra 5,2. At the momen Lucas is a little bit to small for sailing Hobie 14 alone, but together we have always much fun.
Greetings from Germany
Skippi650
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZEdJNBkZcc
