|
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
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. |
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
"DSK" wrote in message ... 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. You could use that argument to justify any behaviour. Why not leave loaded guns around; all children should know enough not to play with them. Bottom line - some boats are setup safer than others. 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. That's my point. You have to have a special talent to take children on a racing machine. And even then, you probably don't want to take their yound friends as guests. Oh and cam cleats rarely let go if loaded properly and replaced when worn. Yep, almost never, in fact. As a racer I learned to avoid certain risky things, like being in the bight of a jib sheet. Blocks don't let go often, but you don't want to be in the wrong place when they do. A family boat should minimize these issues. 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. ;) I'm not the person I'm concerned about. I've sailed for 45 years including 6 years as an instructor in dinghies. I don't have accidental jibes (when people are looking), and I've never had a crew or guest injured. I sailed the Irwin 30 with the cockpit traveler for a season without mishap, though I was always wary. It was the owner who has a history of sending people to the hospital. A side story - he's the only person I know that has run himself over in car. He was working under it with the front end on jackstands when he accidentally shorted the starter. The car was in gear an jumped on him, breaking his hip. Its people like this that should not have a traveler in the cockpit! 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. My kid is eight and we still keep her in a booster seat - it reduced the chance of injury 75%. I'm not saying boats shouldn't have travelers, or that kids shouldn't be allowed on racing boats. I'm just saying that since a cockpit traveler is required, it should be avoided in a family cruiser. 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. -Jeff, who may have banged himself around a few times, but never done so to his crew or guests. |
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
The Captains Nemesis wrote in message ... On Thu, 23 Oct 2003 18:15:28 -0400, "Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote: So what? Does that make it a good design for family cruising? I'd hate to think that some kid is sitting on the leeward side and his fate depends on a small cam cleat holding. Teach "some small kid" to stay clear and keep an eye open. Not a very good answer when the hazard is in the middle of the cockpit. What do you do about winches? My winches are on the periphery of a rather large cockpit. 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. Oh and cam cleats rarely let go if loaded properly and replaced when worn. Yes, and uncontrolled jibes never happen. 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. Wow, you must have some ancient systems onboard, and really unattentive helm and parents. Who said I was talking about my boat? I'm talking about average boats with average sailors. Are you saying that accidental jibes never happen? My claim is that on a proper family cruiser you can have the occaision mishap with triggering a trip to the hospital. If you want to sail safe, don't go so square as to risk a gybe,don't tack without making sure fingers/kids are clear just as you make sure the jibsheet is free to run. Or, get a boat that is a bit more forgiving than a racing boat. |
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
I ran myself over with a motorcycle once. Then, it ran over my
friend who was laughing too hard to get out of the way. "Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ... A side story - he's the only person I know that has run himself over in car. He was working under it with the front end on jackstands when he accidentally shorted the starter. The car was in gear an jumped on him, breaking his hip. Its people like this that should not have a traveler in the cockpit! |
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
"Bobsprit" wrote in message ... Alien is above average for the boats in this group. My C&C34XL is rated as low as 83! Do you own a C & C 34XL? In two weeks! Bwahahahahaha! So you don't! Regards Donal -- |
Serious Sailing Cockpit???
Do you own a C & C 34XL?
In two weeks! Bwahahahahaha! So you don't! Donal, hang on to that until the very last second! You're gonna need it. Some people dream of this boat or that boat. I make it happen. I'm already working on a yawl as my 5th boat to be sailed from my late 40's into early 50's, when I will probably settle down with something for a longer while. Perhaps a Baltic or something classic and restored. Enjoy your toy, Donal. RB |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:28 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 BoatBanter.com