Liveaboard Logistics

[Kiwi family]

To save extra funds our 3 year sail we have decided to live onboard the yacht for the first year before we set off. Can any other sailing family groups (especially ladies) send me some opinions, tips and learned lessons on how to live in a marina with 3 children. Especially interested in features on your yachts that have been invaluable. We will be based in the Opua Marina in the Bay of Islands and have narrowed down the boat list and have settled on the 60 foot length.
Many thanks
Kate

[dennisjay]

20 ft per kid? Seems about the right ratio. Might want to check out Living Aboard magazine. I think it has a forum on cruising with kids.

Living Aboard Magazine

Love Bay of Islands and Opua. Great place to sail.

[skipmac]

What age are the kids? Could make a lot of difference.

Skip

[Kiwi family]

Kids age 4, 7 & 10 and 40 for alpha male kid.

[skipmac]

Well, the 40 year old will be the most trouble but if you give him a few power tools to entertain himself that should help.

When we cruised with our daughter the one thing that gave me the most peace of mind was installing netting around the lifelines. We fastened it at the bottom to the toerail and laced it through upper and lower lifelines so there was no gap and no way to fall through or under the lines.

Even with the netting our rule was lifejackets anytime she left the cockpit. At the dock or at anchor we would relax that to no lifejacket if escorted by a parent.

We tried to involve our daughter as much as possible in the operations and activities of the boat. Even though a job or project might take twice as long with a little helper it was worthwhile.

Books. Lots and lots of books.

[Rummy]

Hi Kate,
Living in a marina isn't as much fun as sailing the coast of Australia but after a month at a Marina there's a few things my 3 daughters (7, 12 & 15) probably can't do without. Scooters & bikes (folding) , ipod, their own cabin, books & games, a good internet connection so they can keep in contact with friends & everyone they've met on our journey (facebook & MSN messanger) & our dog Lulu. We have definately become a closer family cruising together for 6 months you just have to remember to respect each others alone time & don't sweat the little stuff.
R

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Rummy

... you just have to remember to respect each others alone time & don't sweat the little stuff.
R

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Rummy.

Well said!

[Seahunter]

Kids do best onboard when they have an active part with the chores. Break them down (the chores) and rotate them amongst the kids. Whether its doing the dishes, swabbing the sole, or hosing the bird crap off the deck get them working as a crew (landlubbers call it teamwork). They'll end up taking pride in with menial tasks and then you can work them into boat operations like stowing lines and rode, checking the oil and using the DSC radio.
One thing I found out that really made a difference for us was keeping a little bit of "land life" aboard. We have a dog, (not so unusual) and I installed a decent satellite TV system for each berth. I'm not talking about a self-tracking system, but a satellite dish that we point in the right direction while we're in port. It works great (everyone can watch what they want or we can watch together) and keeps us all connected to the other part of the world.
For home schooling while cruising, a good internet connection is required, so an upgraded satellite system may be in order. While living on a boat is reminiscent of earlier times, we live in the 21st century and I believe that allowing your family (children) to be part of it is as important to their education as the one they'll get living on the water. Combining the two in the right balance will allow them to grow up as masters of their own destiny.
Good Luck.

[rebel heart]

A 60 boat is a lot of boat. Are you going to be comfortable handling that much of a ship?