[Rhodes22-list] Rails

[jbconnolly at comcast.net]

I am a father of two boys.  The younger just turned 1 and has not been on the boat yet.  The older one started at about age 18 months, (determined by the season and parents comfort level, you will have to be your own guide here).  If you are uncomfortable with your ability to protect them, you may or may not be right, but you won't enjoy the sailing anyway, so why do it.

When we went out with the older one alone, before his brother arrived, he wore a lanyard and life jacket at all times from the dock to the boat and until we returned to dry land.  He was clipped to the boat at all times when underway.  He was never allowed out of the cockpit underway, just at the mooring or alongside the pier, and never under any circumstances by himself.  We would unclip the lanyard if he asked on the mooring.  We found that he didn't mind these restrictions too much.  He preferred to be in the cabin most of the time playing and snacking.  The daysail usually started winding down when the snacks ran out.  Life would have been perfect if he would have napped there, but alas he would not.  Bring toys or books and snacks to keep them occupied.  

I had Stan retain the old fashioned lifelines when he recycled my boat.  They are OK, but neither the lines nor the new rails will keep a determined toddler or preschooler out of the water.  Safety netting might help, but would certainly look like hell and might be of limited use without a toerail to tie the bottom to.

Good luck and have fun

Jim Connolly


> I apologize if this subject has been beaten to death over the years on this 
> list, but I'm new and when I click on the download button for the archives, I 
> get an error message.  I've read the material in the FAQ, but I was wondering if 
> there are any more opinions on this subject ...
>  
> So ... here is my question:
>  
> As I mentioned in my first email, my wife and I are in the process of working 
> with Stan toward purchasing a recycled Rhodes.  One of the big questions for us 
> is whether or not to get the safety rails.  I know Stan is not real big on the 
> rails (and he's already talked me out of the safety lines that appear to be a 
> great way to launch yourself off the boat), but we have two very young 
> precocious boys (1 and 3) ... and when I start bringing them on the boat, I have 
> to admit that I'm a little nervous (and my wife is a lot nervous) about their 
> safety.  I intend to keep them in the cockpit and cabin as best I can, but you 
> never know.
>  
> Stan says he knows of no children that have fallen off a Rhodes, but he says if 
> it's a concern, he recommends tying a line to the mast and clipping it onto 
> their life jacket.  Do all of you who've sailed with young children think that 
> is adequate or workable?  Do you think the rails make a big difference with 
> small children?  I'm not sure I want to tie a leash on my kids, but maybe that's 
> the best course ...
>  
> Also, looking at the closeup photos of boats with rails in Stan's materials, 
> they look a little gawky ... but I haven't seen a boat with rails from a 
> distance -- do the rails detract from the boat's appearance?
>  
> And finally, when you're out in rough water and you need to go forward to, let's 
> say, fix the jib ... do the rails make it appreciably safer to maneuver about 
> the boat?  I am a novice sailor, so I have to confess that I am not certain how 
> sure-footed I will be under those circumstances.
>  
> I'd hate to do overkill, though, and get rails if I'm going to hate the way they 
> make the boat look ... and if they're really not going to do much for my kids' 
> safety anyway.
>  
> Thank you in advance for your thoughts on this,
>  
> -Mark
>  
>  
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