Y'know, I can see both sides of this argument. Further comments interspersed:



Teach "some small kid" to stay clear and keep an eye open.


Jeff Morris wrote:
Not a very good answer when the hazard is in the middle of the cockpit.

I don't see that it matters that much. Children who don't know what's what should be kept
clear of things like lawnmowers and mid cockpit travelers. It also is smart to keep the
traveler control lines taut on both sides, and keep the boat firmly under control... and teach
all children (whatever their age) where NOT to stick their fingers.

Pain is Mother Nature's way of saying, "You just made a mistake. Don't do that again." A
little bit of pain is a marvelous teaching tool. Seems to be out of favor in modern
educational doctrine.




Sailing can be dangerous, keep it safe.

That's my point. Some boats are safer than others. That's why some boats that may be
well suited for racing are not good for family cruising.

Again, both sides have good points. OTOH I grew up sailing on family owned racing boats, often
in hotly contested races, and with impatient & vocal skippers. My grandfather, father, and
uncles, were/are not among the worlds most mild mannered and calm voiced men.

Keeping circumstances under control may be a problem for most skippers. Forseeing &
forestalling any possible boo-boos is a must. This is going to be a lot easier on some boats
than others. So (as always) the boat must be matched to the goal.


Oh and cam cleats rarely let go if loaded properly and replaced when
worn.

Yep, almost never, in fact.



Yes, and uncontrolled jibes never happen.

Well, they shouldn't. Maybe you should spend some time sailing with my father, he'd teach you
about uncontrolled gybing.


And the traveler doesn't move across on every
tack. And any little kid that get his finger caught in it didn't deserve to play the
violin.

-jeff, whose kid has had a safe cockpit to play in since she was a week old.

Personally, I worry more about child safety with regard to automobile wrecks & household
chemicals than sailing. But then, safety is in the eye of the beholder... and between the ears
of the skipper, when sailing.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King
who was sailing from infancy and often got hurt and/or scared doing so, but never permanently,
and who since has taken many children from toddlers to 20 year olds and pretty much avoided
trauma.