Baby on shakedown cruise?

[Dave22q]

just tell he that ot is quite normal for Grandma to be overprotective of a new born and leave it at that. she will get over it by the next time she needs free baby sitting.

[seasick]

Great response FVJennie. I will remind myself to sound less critical from here on out. I apologize to any and all who might have been offended.

My wife as well prefers to critique my dockings than to make a go of it herself.

[tdoster]

You should never get beat up for doing the prudent thing.

Reality is that this skipper would be beat up left and right if someone posted a news article of CG rescues toddler on boat during shakedown cruise on this forum - Just ask the Kaufman's what it is like to be tried in the Court of Public opinion.

You will find plenty of people who feel it is OK to drink a 6 pack on the boat fishing and have done it all their adult lives and that is how they justify it. Everyone does it and I never had a problem... Then the day when an idiot 16 year old on a Jet Ski plows into the side of their boat while moving along at less than 1/2 a knot on a trolling motor and wonder why they are the ones found at fault and going to jail?

On the Kaufman side, there were plenty of people wanting to bring them up on charges of child endangerment and pay the CG for the rescue, etc.

Was it wrong to take their young kids on a cruise? I don't think so, but I would not beat someone up who says they are not comfortable doing so, especially after the fact. Advise of being prepared for the consequences if something does happen before the fact, which is what the OP took into consideration and made a call on the side of prudence.

[sammyo]

Only folks on a shake down cruse would be experienced owner/sailors and/or resourceful marine mechanics (with their tool kit :-) But do you have buddies with power boat and patience (that can get away on short notice) and is it for a nice afternoon on a sunny day in protected waters that your familiar? Sure why not.

[JPA Cate]

Actually, many good points have been brought up.

It has to be the skipper's call because his is the responsibility. Period. No ifs ands or buts.

To the skipper/OP:

If your relations with your daughter in law are basically good, she will get over it, possibly before there is time to take them all for a daysail in calm weather after you feel the boat is adequately shaken down.

Your daughter in law quite possibly has little idea how seriously the skipper has to take on his responsibility for the welfare of boat and those who sail on her, and may not have considered at all how it might have been for you if your boat sprung a plank, and you had suddenly to feel concerned with lifesaving. You may be way more aware of your own limitations than she, and she, unable to imagine yours.

Sorry this left you feeling you need support for what was a prudent captain decision.

Ann

[ijk]

Capt. Wooden Head, Certainly your call but just 10 miles! I assume you did the work whilst afloat. What could go wrong that a short tow to the new marina couldn't solve only cost a little more time and adventure. Plenty of help nearby in PS. New moms (even with 15 mo. olds) do feel left out most of the time. I appreciate your concern for the newby but, really, this could hardly be called a "shakedown". Be thankful she wants to sail and feels confident in you and hubby to take her baby with you. I agree, though, communicate your side and make sure you include her in the future - even if there is risk she's willing to take - risks will never go away in this business.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by ijk

Capt. Wooden Head, Certainly your call but just 10 miles! I assume you did the work whilst afloat. What could go wrong that a short tow to the new marina couldn't solve only cost a little more time and adventure. Plenty of help nearby in PS. New moms (even with 15 mo. olds) do feel left out most of the time. I appreciate your concern for the newby but, really, this could hardly be called a "shakedown". Be thankful she wants to sail and feels confident in you and hubby to take her baby with you. I agree, though, communicate your side and make sure you include her in the future - even if there is risk she's willing to take - risks will never go away in this business.

A vessel doesn't have a predefined limit from port before she'll decide to sink. Drowned 1000 miles out to sea or 10 ft from the slip; dead is dead.

The skipper has every right to select or restrict crew for any journey, 10 miles, 10000 miles, or 10 ft.

If it was explained nicely would love to have you in future, just not this time, DIL should have no issue other than to request her husband not go if the vessel is believed unsafe.