Cruiser Family Wannabes

[Coolruns]

Welcome aboard.

We too are wannabe cruisers.

I recommend that you take the advice of others who have mentioned going on a sailing trip or two with the family. Get a good feel for boats and the water. Find out what you enjoy.

We learn something new every time we go out.

The family loves sailing and visiting new places. If I had the funds available, we would certainly be pressing to be on our way.

Best of luck.

-DJ

[rossad]

This is a good thread and hopefully many others whom are cruising with children will put their take on it here. I perosnally think that it all comes down to what kind of people you are and how compatiable you are. For some its the best chapters of their life and others it has become a nightmere.
you never know until you try and nothing ventured nothing gained.
each family is different just like each person. there is not one solution to solve all problems but challenges to meet with successfull pleasures MAYBE

[FSMike]

I think that finding other kids is perhaps the largest problem. I believe it was Cruising World that once sponsored a design contest for a "Kids Aboard" burgee.
Some cruising families tend to congregate in certain places. For instance, Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas has lots of kids every winter season.

[perfectwave57]

Wannabes,
We sold everything in Aug.2010 bought boat in Sept. sailed out of San Diego in October with the Ba-Ha-Ha Rally to Cabo. Today we are in Costa Rica 3500 miles and 12 months later we are doing great as a sailing family. Son is 9 daughter 12 and the kids and mom had never been on a sail boat until we bought this one. We bought the boat found a great instructor in Marina Del Rey that trained everyone and sailed to Cabo with us after 1000 miles we sent Uncle Mark home and continued our journey.
Yes many challenges home school being the biggest, but the kids adjust to adventure quickly. Next month we head to Panama and through the Canal.

This may not work for everyone, but if you dream is to Cruise you need to learn to: live life, write all your plans in the sand at low tide (because they will all change), your kids will learn more the family will be closer than you ever imagined. Good Luck
SV. Perfectwave
sailblogs: perfectwave57@sailblogs, email : Perfectwave57@gmail.com