[Rhodes22-list] Rails

[Saroj Gilbert]

I personally don't like rails on the Rhodes... if I have to forward in rough 
weather, I'm down on my hands and knees going from stay to stay, then the 
cleats.  Rarely is required.  Just one more thing for stuff to get hung up 
on.  I wear a self-inflatable

I haven't sailed often with small children, but have with dogs... frankly I 
would do with the kids same way as the dogs... life jacket tethered at all 
times when underway.. just the life jacket when the boat is tethered to 
something.  I wouldn't tether it to the mast though when underway... use a 
cleat on the bulkhead fore of the cockpit or near the stern if closer to 
where they are sitting.. no kid of that age should be anywhere near the mast 
while underway.

With kids, you're going to have to train them well to stay in the cockpit or 
cabin when underway.  Its challenging cause they get bored.. so bring along 
games, lots of snacks and find useful things for them to do once old 
enough... like tail the sheets or hang onto the tiller while you are doing 
something, etc.

Lots of information on cruising with children to give you ideas.. internet, 
books, etc.  Great environment for them!

Saroj

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mputnam1 at aol.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 10:46 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Rails


>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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