Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

I say, give him the opportunity to show his mettle. It'll be a great
bonding and growth experience for both of you!

Frank wrote:

Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

I say, give him the opportunity to show his mettle. It'll be a great
bonding and growth experience for both of you!


When I was 14 I took watches at the helm at night in small craft warning
seas in the Molokai channel in my Dad's Blanchard 33.' One crew member
sleeping below, the other sleeping beside me in the cockpit.

Stephen

Stephen Trapani wrote:
Frank wrote:

Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

I say, give him the opportunity to show his mettle. It'll be a great
bonding and growth experience for both of you!


When I was 14 I took watches at the helm at night in small craft warning
seas in the Molokai channel in my Dad's Blanchard 33.' One crew member
sleeping below, the other sleeping beside me in the cockpit.

Stephen


I'd be a little more conservative in this area. Could he steer a
compass course? Would he know what to do if he saw another boat
approaching?
Probably depends on what hazards lay along your intended track.

"Frank" wrote in message
oups.com...
Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

I say, give him the opportunity to show his mettle. It'll be a great
bonding and growth experience for both of you!


What's wrong with sending him to a sailing class? That would give him an
opportunity to learn and build self-confidence. It would also give some
confidence in his abilities to his father.

"JG" wrote:

"Frank" wrote in message
roups.com...
Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

There are two parts to whether someone is qualified to stand watch

a) Are they physically capable of sailing the boat - i.e. do they know
how to sail?

b) Do they have the judgment and experience to do so?

It is easy enough to give a 14 year old the knowledge to sail the
boat. I can sail our boat by myself so I can take a watch for Bob.
There are some things I can't do very well - I'm not strong enough to
manage the main. But I can tack and trim the sails and steer a course

A person taking a watch should know what the course is, and whether
boats that are seen are on a collision course and what to do if they
are.

If you are sailing with just the 2 of you, the second issue can be
addressed by telling him to wake you if he has a question about the
course or the weather or another ship. In my case, if the wind picks
up and I need to furl the main, I have to wake Bob up. That's one of
the reasons we do not go offshore for long passages. In your case,
you might sleep in the cockpit next to your son.


I say, give him the opportunity to show his mettle. It'll be a great
bonding and growth experience for both of you!


What's wrong with sending him to a sailing class? That would give him an
opportunity to learn and build self-confidence. It would also give some
confidence in his abilities to his father.


grandma Rosalie

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
"JG" wrote:

"Frank" wrote in message
groups.com...
Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.

There are two parts to whether someone is qualified to stand watch

a) Are they physically capable of sailing the boat - i.e. do they know
how to sail?

b) Do they have the judgment and experience to do so?

It is easy enough to give a 14 year old the knowledge to sail the
boat. I can sail our boat by myself so I can take a watch for Bob.
There are some things I can't do very well - I'm not strong enough to
manage the main. But I can tack and trim the sails and steer a course

A person taking a watch should know what the course is, and whether
boats that are seen are on a collision course and what to do if they
are.

If you are sailing with just the 2 of you, the second issue can be
addressed by telling him to wake you if he has a question about the
course or the weather or another ship. In my case, if the wind picks
up and I need to furl the main, I have to wake Bob up. That's one of
the reasons we do not go offshore for long passages. In your case,
you might sleep in the cockpit next to your son.


Actually, this is true even for experience, completely capable crew. If you
need help or are unsure of something, wake up the skipper. I've yet to
protest being awakened or had anyone protest if I woke them.

Like most 14 yr olds, his judgement is poor as he tends to be a
daredevil. His sailing skill are not as good as I would like. He
tends to fall asleep a little too easily too.
I am up against a time crunch as in the next few weeks it simply gets
too hot with no wind for this to be a good trip. My wife would also
freak about him sailing while I was asleep.

wrote:

Like most 14 yr olds, his judgement is poor as he tends to be a
daredevil. His sailing skill are not as good as I would like. He
tends to fall asleep a little too easily too.

My sailing skills leave something to be desired too, but they've
gotten better over time.

As for falling asleep - have him take whatever shift he would normally
be awake for, and make it just a 2 hour shift for him.

I am up against a time crunch as in the next few weeks it simply gets
too hot with no wind for this to be a good trip. My wife would also
freak about him sailing while I was asleep.

What does she think you are going to be doing then?

Tell her to come along and stand his watches with him or else don't be
specific about what you will be doing. Sleeping beside your son in
the cockpit isn't the same as being below.
..

grandma Rosalie

Having lost objects overboard in waves, I know how easy it is to really
lose track of them, really scary. SO, we wear harnesses and tie them
to eyes in the cockpit. Still, if I fell overboard even wearing the
harness, he would have a very difficult time of it.

I love my wife but have learned I cannot sail with her. It is worse
than being single handed. Imagine being single handed while constantly
tending apparent disasters and being subjected to constant jabbering.
When I sail with her, I feel so stressed out I cannot handle it.

Rosalie B. wrote:
"JG" wrote:


"Frank" wrote in message
groups.com...

Why do you feel that your 14-year-old is unqualified? Maybe we have
different definitions of "qualified to stand watch" but I'd rely on my
12-year-old daughter under these circumstances. Maybe this is the
universe giving him an opportunity to show you he's more responsible
than you think? I know I tend to underestimate my kids 'cause I think
of them as having been newborns about 5 minutes ago. They're often
capable of so much more than I give them credit for.


There are two parts to whether someone is qualified to stand watch

a) Are they physically capable of sailing the boat - i.e. do they know
how to sail?

b) Do they have the judgment and experience to do so?

It is easy enough to give a 14 year old the knowledge to sail the
boat. I can sail our boat by myself so I can take a watch for Bob.
There are some things I can't do very well - I'm not strong enough to
manage the main. But I can tack and trim the sails and steer a course

A person taking a watch should know what the course is, and whether
boats that are seen are on a collision course and what to do if they
are.

If you are sailing with just the 2 of you, the second issue can be
addressed by telling him to wake you if he has a question about the
course or the weather or another ship. In my case, if the wind picks
up and I need to furl the main, I have to wake Bob up. That's one of
the reasons we do not go offshore for long passages. In your case,
you might sleep in the cockpit next to your son.


He should know how to operate the VHF and what to do in a man overboard
situation. This could save your life.