Do you let your kids take it out?

[guy48065]

...and if so, what strings attached?

[Jack65K]

Daughter and son-in-law used to own a boat and I let tehm take my boat out with the stipulation that they leave it as clean as they got it. Other kids have never owned a boat and have never asked to take mine out but would let them if they take and pass the Missouri boater safety course.
Jack

[redbeard]

My kids have never asked to, but if they did I would let they but like Jack said they have to have there Missouri boater safety course card, [they are 21 and 25] Missouri state law.

[STEVEBRENDA]

My kids have passed the exam and I would not let them take it out yet. They are 19,24 & 26. I would trust the youngest with it before I would trust he older two. The biggest issue is docking with all of the waves & wind.

We do have a 17' jon boat that my youngest lays claim to. She takes it out all of the time by herself (and friends).

[Darin]

NEVER! For one, I dont have kids. Second, I am the captian of my boat. If it goes, I go.

[MPosey519]

My two and three year old take the boat out all the time....in the yard

[BobL]

3 boys (26, 21, 18) and all three have their boaters safety license. Oldest two have been taking out my boats for several years and the youngest is just starting to. We keep them in the water so no trailering the boats but oldest 2 have been trailering the jetski since they could drive.

[redbeard]

Darin I like that line I think I'll use it if that's OK. I'm the Captain and if it goes I go, wihich is how its been so far anyway.

[curtiscapk]

None of my kids want to captain....

THE FLOATER goes Captain Cobb goes!

[kryptonite]

As our kids get into high school, I've been thinking about this very issue. I have to say, it's not going out without me. I've seen what happens when you get a group of kids together and some alcohol makes it's way out. Need an old beater for those kinds of outings.

That being said, my daughter is very good with the boat, she just turned 14. She likes to drive, can beach it properly. Haven't had her dock it yet, but I will teach her.

[lakerunner]

Our son has taken it many times but Jessie our youngest the most. I only ask they bring it back like they got it

[krusskruss]

None of my kids have expressed an interest yet:
If they did, they would have to take a boating safety course and show an interest in learning from me about how to use and maintain the boat properly.

When I was in high school, my dad had a 29' sail boat on the San Francisco bay. I expressed a strong interest in taking it out, attended a sailing school (he paid for it) and agreed to take care of all maintenance (he paid for parts). I sailed that boat for many years and had a lot of good times and close calls.

I would give my kids the same chance.

[Cycleman07]

I began backing my dads bass boat down the ramp from the time i was 14 when we would go fishing together. He taught me how to drive it in the confides of a quiet empty cove. It never occurred to me to ask him to take it by myself or with friends. That being said my 17th birthday present was a new Polaris Jet Ski. My thoughts are it depends on your kids. I was quite responsible and if my sons grow up to be responsible young men and have taken boaters safety then I dont think I will have a problem with it. They have been on the water since they were born and with another 10-12 years of going on our family outings I am quite confident they will know how to handle it. My .02

[tadams]

If my boat goes, I go!

[Bamaman]

My daughter has a valid marine driver's license, and she wants to go out all the time with her friends.

Unfortunately I've had to banish her from having company at our lake house. I refuse to give a good time to people that don't have jobs and are not pointing in an upward direction in life.