Do you let your kids take it out?

[OK Toon]

I think I'm like many others on here -- if my boat goes, I go. I may let others drive, but I'm still going to be onboard. One my neighbors that we let park his $45K pontoon in our boat dock (2 slips), has offered to let me take his boat out many times. I don't have the $$ to replace it if something serious were to happen, so I have never taken him up on the offer. Besides, it would just make me want a newer/nicer boat that I can't afford right now.

[Bryden24shp]

I would trust my boys (well, men 26 and 30). I did have them ask me once, I told them sure, but they were responsible for gas, any accidents or damage done to the boat. The cost of a full tank of gas is $160.00, a prop is $500.00 and the deductible is $750.00 for the insurance.
Hmm, they never asked again!
It worked!

[lemans81]

Sure my 2 and a half year old would rock driving alone.

[Johnboy]

I do let my 15 and 19 year old daughters take the boat out alone on the lake we live on only. They have been boating since they were infants and took boater safety class as soon as they were old enough to make it legal. They worked their way up from a sailboard, hobbies cat, kayak, sea doo, 22 ft pontoon with a 140 now to a 26 ft tri toon with a 250hp. Our place is the friend gathering place in the summer, I say it is better to have the kids want to hang out at our house instead somewhere else.

[Rudebob]

My 23 year old son takes mine out quite a bit and has done so for a few years-both the pontoon and ski boat. He has been out o the lake with me hundreds of times since he was an infant, learned to barefoot ski when he was five and does stuff on a wakeboard now that makes my body hurt just to watch. Boating for him is second nature.

Honestly, I trust him more than most people twice his age (unfortunately, that is not saying much these days). He is responsible on the water, can launch, retrieve & back a trailer with the best. He enjoys the water as much as I do, so I am glad he can enjoy the toys.

Ultimately, it is just stuff. I buy my toys used and will only pay what I can enjoy without worry about what could happen, otherwise, stuff ends up owning you.

But even if he does have a mishap the good news is...he is my insurance agent .

'bob

[curtiscapk]

awesome! Agreed on the used thing!

[badmoonrising]

Ethan is 2 this week, so he'd got a ways before he's captain. I'd judge letting him take it out on how responsible he is when I deem him old enough. My nephews, nieces, brothers, hell no....

None have boating experience, I am always the captain.

[Oldsailor]

My oldest (41) is a licensed salt water Captain, and has had his own 50' commercial sport fishing boat
in the past, so I have no worries with his piloting my 24' 'toon!

My youngest (39) likes to ride on the lake, but has no inclination to drive or be responsible for the boat.

[guy48065]

Ultimately, it is just stuff. I buy my toys used and will only pay what I can enjoy without worry about what could happen, otherwise, stuff ends up owning you.

Winning attitude!

I'm a little surprised at the number of permissive parents. Considering the money most of you have tied up in your boats I figured the response would be 2 NO to every YES. I'm glad I was wrong