Age and Outboard Regulations

[steve28]

This post is out of interest,
At the weekend we saw a young boy aged 5-6 years motoring a rib with a 20 hp engine on. If this wasnt bad enough he was taking children of equal ages to the beach about 200 yards away. None of which had life jackets on and two girls wre sat on the very front with their legs over in the water whilst planing along and said boy was stride the tube whilst steering.
Is there any rules in the uk to decide if a six year old can use a 20 or a 200 hp engine unsupervised ?




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[Joe_Cole]

No. But there's no rules to prevent an adult going out in a 200hp boat with no experience either; some of them can be just as daft! I still don't want to see licencing though.

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[boatless]

As Joe says, no, none. Plenty of laws would fall into place if there was an accident though. Know how you feel, you'd look a complete t*t if you dared to say anything to the parents, and worse if you didn't and there was an accident....

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[whisper]

I'm sure that certain harbour authorities have passed byelaws regarding this. Salcombe's byelaws certainly say that no one under 16 can helm a boat that can exceed 8 knts unless accompanied by someone over 16. I thought they also had a rule re. the size of engine that kids were allowed to operate but the handbook is at the flat and I'm not.

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[Mollari]

I believe that at that age they should be accompanied by an adult (preferably experienced). My wife would not take our dinghy out on her own, which only has a 15hp until she is content with her skill level.

However, if a child has been on board since a very young age they have probably developed a vast amount of skill and experience and could probably show us a thing or two. I know a 15 year old that I would give the helm of any boat to. She is excellent.

<hr width=100% size=1>I think therefore I have a headache S.S.D.D.

 

[jsl]

Agree with everything in this thread, except..... A skipper/driver who travels at planing speed while others dangle their toes over the bow is not behaving responsibly. One momentary check in forward speed - a drop of water in the fuel, a scrap of plastic on the prop - and the danglers dive forward into the water. Then the engine picks up, and the [former] danglers are mincemeat.

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[AndrewB]

For all the opprobrium these kids in dinghies attract, they rarely do seem to come to serious grief. Danger of legislating against a non-existent problem?

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[Wiggo]

Simple enough test

for our lot. They can take the tender and motor it once they're old enough to pull start the outboard. Before that, they can row/paddle, or have a grown-up with them.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[William_H]

Here in West Australia the law is very clear the skipper must be over 16 for any motor over about 5 HP. The exception is if a licence is held (Power Boat Handling) which is only available over 13 yo. Yes the government is moving toward licences for all power boat drivers expected within 2 years. I don't know if is necessary but looks like it will come obviously with some transistion for those with lots of experience. I have a ticket to teach and examine for the power boat handling license (thats a laugh for a determined sailing only man) but havn't had many takers while it's optional. regards will

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[Andrew_Fanner]

My almost 10 year old son established to my satisfaction that he can start the outboard unaided recently. This weekend, weather permitting, he will be allowed to take the helm of the tender and potter about where he wants to go, with myself and his younger sister as (hopefully) relaxed loafing passengers. Once I'm happy with that, and that he has some idea of what to do if he stalls the motor then he can go by himself, with life jacket etc, but stay in sight at all times. If he seems sensible after a few trips then he gets to play as he wishes, subject to not being allowed to plane and being grounded if I find out that he has done so. I'm intending that he should have a PMR with him to report if there is trouble.

Am I being sensible or over cautious/too easy?

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Wiggo]

Seems eminently sensible to me, Andrew. We will do the same with ours, including the PMRs - what marvellous bits of kit they are, too...

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

How do you stop them fantasising about rib racing?


<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[flaming]

Buy a smaller outboard?

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[Wiggo]

we can't - they watch thye grown-ups doing it.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Wiggo]

Why? Is 25hp too much for a tender, then? Any smaller, and I doubt we could ski off it...

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[flaming]

surely the beauty of outboards is you can swop them? I here there's a make called a "seagull" or something. Supposed to look well flash and be the height of technological advances!

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[Wiggo]

Know them well. The only outboard that doubles as an anchor. Tie a rope to it, and chuck it overboard...

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

...haul it up and it works...



...just as well...




<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[Col]

Lian??

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Mollari]

Most certainly, We have absolute trust in her capabilities.

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