Kid Safety on Macs

[aya16]

I would think kids are very safe on the mac. The cockpit is small, and the sides are high. There isnt alot of moving around on the boat when in use. Really, I don't think netting is very useful, kinda a false sense of security, and kids shouldn't be roaming around the boat while under way any how. My experience is, kids cant take hours and hours of sailing. They get bored, seasick, and want to go back sooner than us adults. Not seeing land kinda freaks them a little too. Short trips, and sea life makes the trip fun for the kids.

The cabin is a no riding zone for most of us, most of us get a little light headed while under way in the cabin, It seems fine while moored though. worse place to be if underway and already a bit tipsy. Sea sick pills make most drowsy, takes away from the fun. Ginger ale, pieces of ginger, ginger cookies, all do a great job of making the trip comfortable, so little cans of ginger ale, instead of cokes are better for everyone.

tether, not really good idea, there's enough ropes and things to get in the way in the cockpit anyway. Having the older kids be a part of the sailing action, like rope handling, have them yell out the instructions from the captain, like "tacking" keeps them involved. Dolphins are a major source of fun for the kids to watch, as well as seals, and schools of fish. Sharks are scary fun for them to watch too.

Mac also has great viewing for the kids, they can stand on the front "v" berth through the front hatch for hours, Its really safe, get a little splash once in a while
and the deck hits the kids about chest high when standing there. Very safe and fun. Steering the boat from about 4-teens, is a great source of fun for the kids. That is if you can pry the wheel away from pop.

Instead of straight sailing, try tacking all the time you are out, keeps the kids involved and interested. If you have kids and you haven't bought a mac yet, opt for the bigger engine for the mac (90hp) you wont regret it. Sooner or later the kids will want to get towed around on something and that little 50hp doesn't cut it, especially lake sailing, all of us have seen the jumping white sharks on tv, so dont think the kids want to be towed on anything in salt water...
Mike

[dlandersson]

My kids will stand in the forward hatch all day long listening to "Shiver my timbers" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSXciBh8KoY) over the speakers.

Mac also has great viewing for the kids, they can stand on the front "v" berth through the front hatch for hours, Its really safe, get a little splash once in a while and the deck hits the kids about chest high when standing there. Very safe and fun. Steering the boat from about 4-teens, is a great source of fun for the kids. That is if you can pry the wheel away from pop.

[Sea Wind]

As Ben mentioned, I have netting on the sides of the cockpit. It has been a great addition to the boat. My boys are 3 and 2, and before the netting there was this constant tension if they were not sitting straight. Now they can be looking at the water as long as the knees are touching the bottom cushions. It is also a great way to avoid toys from going overboard.

They are not allowed to go to forward, so I don’t see the point in thetering. They always wear their PFDs even in the cabin. They have no problem reading books in the cabin or taking naps. It took a while for them to get used to go down to the cabin on their own while underway, now they sit at the edge, turn around and descend as if they have been doing it all their lives. One of their favorite spots is standing on the V berth and looking out through the hatch.
I purchased the netting from sailrite and it was a one day job. I am thinking in adding a removable lifeline in the stern to add netting there as well while at anchor.

You can see a picture in this thread:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 6&start=15

My wife and I have talked about kid OB plans depending on where each of us is at the time.
Sea Wind

[dlandersson]

How did you install the bottom edge?

As Ben mentioned, I have netting on the sides of the cockpit. It has been a great addition to the boat. My boys are 3 and 2, and before the netting there was this constant tension if they were not sitting straight. Now they can be looking at the water as long as the knees are touching the bottom cushions. It is also a great way to avoid toys from going overboard.

They are not allowed to go to forward, so I don’t see the point in thetering. They always wear their PFDs even in the cabin. They have no problem reading books in the cabin or taking naps. It took a while for them to get used to go down to the cabin on their own while underway, now they sit at the edge, turn around and descend as if they have been doing it all their lives. One of their favorite spots is standing on the V berth and looking out through the hatch.
I purchased the netting from sailrite and it was a one day job. I am thinking in adding a removable lifeline in the stern to add netting there as well while at anchor.

You can see a picture in this thread:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 6&start=15

My wife and I have talked about kid OB plans depending on where each of us is at the time.
Sea Wind

[mastreb]

We also have a rule that you must go forward through the cabin and v-berth hatch rather than going over the top. Only boat handling crew are allowed topside while underway.

[joesonio]

Thanks everybody for some really great replies. A lot of what you said puts my mind at ease. I guess to summarize:

1. Always wear your PFD
2. Resist the urge to just jump in the water to save someone....use your motor to get there quicker
3. Netting...plus or minus, although it seemed to work for Sea Wind. I'll probably try it.
4. Tethering really sounds like a no-go, and based on some of the observations it makes sense.
5. MOB drills...great idea! I'll probably try to get the kids to wear their PFD's in the pool first to see how they do.
6. I really like the idea of immediately plotting your position when there is a MOB situation....hopefully I could maintain my cool in a situation like that.
7. Bottom line, the seas are unforgiving if not treated with respect.

Thanks again everybody.

[Catigale]

Nice summary.

You can do your first MOB recovering a flotable cushion. First under power, the under sail ( drop sails, then motor), and last phase under sail.

[Divecoz]

I might suggest you get a bit of insight from Cat about Dropping motors.. RUMOR HAS IT... He's the best

Nice summary.

You can do your first MOB recovering a flotable cushion. First under power, the under sail ( drop sails, then motor), and last phase under sail.

[Catigale]

ker-plunk....


Merde!!!!

[Tomfoolery]

6. I really like the idea of immediately plotting your position when there is a MOB situation....hopefully I could maintain my cool in a situation like that.

If you're using a modern chartplotter, it probably has a MOB button, but it has to be on to work. Mine sits below most of the time, which reminds me, I should finish the new mount for it, as it doesn't do me any good down there in a tough situation.

[kevinnem]

6. I really like the idea of immediately plotting your position when there is a MOB situation....hopefully I could maintain my cool in a situation like that.

If you're using a modern chartplotter, it probably has a MOB button, but it has to be on to work. Mine sits below most of the time, which reminds me, I should finish the new mount for it, as it doesn't do me any good down there in a tough situation.

for what it is work the garmin hand helds all have this, you just hold down the "enter" button for 2 seconds, and it saves the position. If your reading the manual it might be called "quick position", "quick waypoint" or some other term.

And use, the GPS does need to be turned on for it to work, it can take up to 15 mins (about worest case for a "cold" unit) for a GPS to lock on to the SV"s, and determine position. don't think you can turn it on and mark position.

[Sea Wind]

dlandersson,

I added a line to the bottom of the stanchions, one end has a knot and the other has a hook so that I can stretch it as much as possible for maximum tension.
Sea Wind

How did you install the bottom edge?

As Ben mentioned, I have netting on the sides of the cockpit. It has been a great addition to the boat. My boys are 3 and 2, and before the netting there was this constant tension if they were not sitting straight. Now they can be looking at the water as long as the knees are touching the bottom cushions. It is also a great way to avoid toys from going overboard.

They are not allowed to go to forward, so I don’t see the point in thetering. They always wear their PFDs even in the cabin. They have no problem reading books in the cabin or taking naps. It took a while for them to get used to go down to the cabin on their own while underway, now they sit at the edge, turn around and descend as if they have been doing it all their lives. One of their favorite spots is standing on the V berth and looking out through the hatch.
I purchased the netting from sailrite and it was a one day job. I am thinking in adding a removable lifeline in the stern to add netting there as well while at anchor.

You can see a picture in this thread:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 6&start=15

My wife and I have talked about kid OB plans depending on where each of us is at the time.
Sea Wind