Houses have their “kids’ rooms,” fitness clubs and some stores their “play areas” and recreational clubs their “bouncy houses.” Boats have, or should have, their “kid’s time down below.” Kids seem to do OK in limited spaces, as long as they get to bounce off things.
Of course there are the problems of hard edges, breakable items and the motion of boat that can throw off the timing of even the best of jumpers. But, for the most part, you can send the willing little crew members down below where they can take off their life jackets and heavy clothes and get goofy. Mom and dad and their buddies from work can hang out on deck and enjoy a beautiful sail.
Two things to look out for. Kids discover forehatches in a hurry and love climbing in and out. And unless you’re keeping watch, they might end up on the foredeck unbeknownst. A rule about life jackets on deck usually slows that process down enormously.
The second thing is one has to keep an eye on the action down below. Yesterday Becky asked me if I thought the three kids below were were being safe enough. “Sure,” I said, “I think…” (Blood curdling scream here mid sentence) Yes, as I was mumbling how safe they were, little Charlotte jammed a foot on one of those jumps. She survived, and in fact it only took about 10 minutes for her to be back to her bouncy self. I admonished Gabe that jumping across the boat should not be done and it had to stop. I think it even did stop. At least there were no more screams. And I’d guess that all of our little crew members will be a little more careful in the future.
Another beautiful evening on Slipstream with everybody going home happy. I probably won’t tempt fate by saying “Sure, they’re fine” immediately. Maybe a five-second delay would do it.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.