Port Side List (Lean)

[La Luna]

Hi Folks,

I recently had the pleasure of pulling my fuel tank and having it repaired. When I took the tank off the boat I noticed that the port side lean decreased but did not go away.  I do have a small bar fridge under the nav table and a microwave on the Port Side in the area above the Nav table so no surprises.  I do remember reading about the lean but can anyone shed some light on where it comes from? 1) Without the fuel tank and with the holding tank empty, is there still a lean?  2) What is a normal lean and what would that look like on the water line?

I have La Luna for sale at the moment and so I am curious about this topic so prospective buyers can get the skinny.  I love the boat and it sails wonderfully, but alas, we have a one year old daughter and I will meet my son upon his arrival in May 06 and with two small children, well, life changes.  I will be back though as the C34 is truly a delight.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Kuhn
La Luna (with a growing crew)

P.S.  I am looking for excuses to keep the sailboat, so you never know!   

[Stu Jackson]

From original homepage FAQ:  http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/faq-port-list.html

[Roc]

Dan,
Why sell the boat???  People told us when we got our daughter..."well, I guess boating is over for you"....I think NOT!  Actually, having a child is more of an incentive to keep sailing.  Look at the wonderful experiences that child will have.  Experiences I never had as a child and would have died for if the opportunitiy was there.  Our daughter still talks about last summer and seems to look forward to the coming season (she's 2-1/2).  I have plans to enroll her in sailing lessons and all kinds of activities when she gets older.  You can either drag your kids (and yourself) to soccer games, or you can teach your child how to sail and all that comes with it.  Something other children would probably jump at the chance.

Congrats on your new addition to the family 

[Footloose]

Dan,

I have to agree with Roc.  Boating is a great family activity.  As our kids have grown they have enjoyed bringing friends along.  A sailboat is one of the few thing that we have that most others don't have and it is a unique experience for them.  None of the kids has ever gone overboard and have not heard of it happening.  We have many friends that sail with infants and small children.  About the only thing I do differently is that I reef sooner than if I am out with the guys.

Congrats on the addition to the family.  Kids are great.

Dave G.

[Kyle Ewing]

Dan,

I agree with the others regarding Children on the boat.  My son will turn 1 year old May 31 and we're looking forward to a summer with him on the boat.  We took him sailing at two weeks and spent several nights with him on the boat.  As long as a child sees mom and dad having fun, it'll be fun for the kid.  The only difference is when Conor is with us, we're more conservative given the conditions.

Think of everything a child will be exposed to directly through sailing:  Weather, mechanics, electronics, the environment, biology, communications, responsibility, friendships, helping others, etc.  It's a tremendous source of pride and confidence for a little one to help "drive" the boat.

Kyle Ewing
Donnybrook #1010
Belmont Harbor, Chicago

[jpaulroberts]

I'm with the others. KEEP YOUR BOAT!!!!!!!  I'm 51 and my wife is 41. We had our first child, a little girl, last March. She sailed with us all last summer and she'll be with us this summer. We anchor out every weekend and it is the best. Yes, I seek more sheltered places to anchor now, but we were out for ten days last fall with Skye aboard and loving every minute of it. You can not buy a better experience for your children than a boat. All the best. Jerry

[Bob K]

Dan,
Echoing the others, children are no reason to sell!  In fact, it was our reason to buy!  We bought our first boat, a C27, when our 1st child was 6 months old.  He is now 9, and loves sailing - he just signed up for his 3rd year of summer lessons at the local sailing center.  Even if he and his sister lose interest when they are teenagers, they will have had great experience and memories from their yournger years.  Yes, babies are challenging on boats, but can certainly be managed.  We used to strap the carseat to the settee while sailing.   A portable VCR/TV kept them happy when not napping.   Safety netting on the lifelines is a must.  We also used a child harness with the lifejacket while on deck. 

As for the port lean, I'm not sure much can be done about it.   I keep the starboard water tank full, and use the aft tank first.  That seems to help a bit.

Bob

[Doug]

A few years back I was looking at unloading some toys/ projects to simplify and reduce. Considered selling our Catalina 25, assorted MG projects & cars, guitar lessons, landscaping projects, and a few other things.

My girls, who had always seemed luke warm to the boat, had fits when the prospect of being boatless was brought up.

The sport cars left. The boat stayed. Easily one of the best decisions I've made as a parent.

Of course, as the girls got older (now 13 & 15) they did start asking for things like a head with a door, a DVD, and a better place to sleep. Thus the C34.

Come to think of it, my dad used to almost have to force me to go sailing when I was younger.

I should give him a call tonight and thank him.

[Tom Soko]

Dan,
I agree with all the others about keeping the boat, even if your family is growing.  The following is an excerpt from the Feb '06 Mainsheet which I wrote in reply to a "Concerned Mom": 
Both of our girls grew up on our sailboats.  My oldest was only two weeks old when she spent her first weekend on the boat.  My wife and I decided we wanted to promote safety and good habits when on the boat, so we did not install any netting around the lifelines.  I have seen it on some boats, but there is always SOME spot where a small person could get thru the lifelines.  The rule that we made from day one, and enforced it firmly, was that when the girls came out of the cabin, their life jackets had to be worn.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  No lifejacket, no boat.  It also had to be worn on the dock, and in the dinghy.  That's easy for me to say (I've been thru the hissy fits, too!), but after a few tantrums, and if you and your ex are firm, she'll accept it.  One thing we did to ease the pain was to take the girls shopping and let them pick out their own life jackets.  Snoopy and The Little Mermaid were the choices if I remember correctly.  Another trick someone told us was to practice with the life jackets at home.  Small time periods at first, then longer.  For Christmas one year we bought the girls "their own" boat, a small $20 inflatable.  They spent hours in the basement playing with it and their "boat jackets".  This next year will probably be the toughest for your daughter.  She has just learned to walk, and probably has a tough time of it on level ground.  Add a few degrees of heel, cleats and blocks to stumble on, and she will fall down a few times.  I suppose it goes without saying that things like cleaning supplies and other dangerous items should be securely stored away.  I'd also suggest swimming lessons.  I've heard they can start very young and are worthwhile. 
Hope it's not too long, but I believe every word.  KEEP THE BOAT!

[Randy and Mary Davison]

Dan,

Another echo...Keep the boat!  Both our boys went on week-long boat trips when they were less than two months old on our Catalina 27 and every summer after and now still go with us on occasion at 21and 23 (years).  In a C34, you're in the lap of luxury compared to a C27!  I can't imagine seeing them grow up without fishing and shrimping off the docks, learning to sail, steer, navigate, row, and later, explore in the dinghy.  As someone else mentioned, where else do you have the opportunity to teach and coach so many and varied life and technical skills? 

Adjusting to kids on board is pretty easy.  Here are a few things that come to mind.  There are some great books on cruising with kids at any marine book store.  If your wife isn't convinced, pick up a few of these and leave them around.

When less than 2 or so:
we spread toys out on the cabin sole or used a mesh gate in the v-berth
In the cockpit, we rigged lines/bungies to strap their carrier in place on the cockpit floor or seats
Make it easy for mom - short runs, shore facilities, no sailing purity - moter as needed to get there, be conservative with weather and sea conditions
Take turns with parental chores - ditch any residual "captain" syndrome
Rig umbrella for sun

When older:

Absolute rule to wear life jackets in cockpit, dinghy, and on docks
Have lots of toys and drawing materials on board
Give up performance orientation and enjoy the journey
Stay at marinas with swimming pools, running spaces, long docks, other kids, a restaurant/snack bar, and a bar for you.
Always have shrimp nets and fishing gear ready to go
Count on grandmas and grandpas at marinas and docks to help with the kids.  They don't really want all those yippy little dogs - they just miss having their kids on board!

When teens:

Make sure you have at least 450 AH of house bank and high output alternator to run Xbox, TV, VCR, DVD, 10 or so gadget chargers, constantly open fridge, and lights all night!
Take kid's friends on long trips.
Make family decisions about where to go
Don't make mom a galley slave - share the chores all around

Thanks for the trigger to go down memory lane - don't miss your chance!