Helm alone

T

TonyR

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27 Nov 2001
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Poole Dorset
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Last Sunday in Poole Harbour I was making my way between South Deep and Blood Alley when a large (30ft+) stinker passed me going in the opposite direction, now before you tune out and think this is just another MoBo rant, it isn't. It was on the stbd side of the channel and going at a reasonable speed but as it passed I saw a small boy (I would say 10/12 y.o.at most) at the wheel apparently alone on the flybridge, the father/skipper was on the bathing platform fishing, in his defence he was casting glances up at the lad but I would be interested to know how confident he was of the ability of his helm to make a safe passage through a fairly congested and rapidly narrowing channel and how quickly he could have got to the wheel in the event of things starting to unravel.

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At the age of 12, I was helming my old man's 52ft ex navy pinnace in confined waters (the Hamble). I never hit anything (well, I never noticed, anyway /forums/images/icons/smile.gif)and I'm still here.

I guess he must have been confident of my abilities, or he wouldn't have let me loose, and no doubt this guy was the same. If the boat was on the std. side of the channel and going at a reasonable speed, the kid must have had at least some idea of what he/she was about.

There's a picture in this month's YM of a 7 year old helming a Contessa. Start 'em young, I say.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
Agree

My (now 23 & 21 resp) offspring have lived on boats since they were born (well, the younger made his first channel crossing, in an 18ft motorboat at minus 6 weeks)

At three, the elder came home from his first experience of Play School to announce that he had met another little boy who's dad didn't have a boat! At age 11 or so he was also well known for correcting adults (usually newcomers to sailing) who had not rigged their warps properly when alongside us in various Solent ports and often in a very loud voice. Both of them helmed the motor boat and our various sailing boats and since we kept two of them in Poole Harbour, in the area around Blood Alley very frequently. It isn't against the law you see.

it isn't against the law because it has not as yet done anyone any harm.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion
 
Re: Another possibility

one of ourts, aged nine, pleaded to take the boat out of St tropez, because it would "look cool". I said ok, but i'd have to be beside him. Then of course came the deal that could i possibly stay out of sight?...to whioch i agreed, hiding behind a bunch of towels or something as he took us out. I can't think where he got this rather unhealthy exhibitionist streak from...



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How about aged 4 months??

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<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif
 
I draw the line at a minimum of 18 months. Life jacket a must!

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<hr width=100% size=1>Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get
 
She has a lifejacket, but is not terribly mobile at present, and so will only go over the side if we throw her- tempting sometimes /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif
 
Cant really see a problem.Provided the lad has some Col reg knowledge and a bit of helm experience.

12 year old is likely to be sharp eyed quick thinking and unaffected by drink or drugs.

Pity the same cannot be said for some adults.

I dont know how the law stands but suspect the insurance company could cop out in the event of a claim occuring.

My boat is smaller and only 5 knots under power but my 10 year old manages ok.(Must admit that I am allways close to hand .(Hard not to be on an Anderson22!)

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At that age I certainly wouldn't have had confidence to give the helm to my father. I may occasionally have let him have it in open waters.

John

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Gorgeous! Got a new granddaughter and would love to get her on the tiller, alongside the 'old' grandchildren (6 and 4).

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Guess at 12 years young he probably has more sense and boat handling knowledge than some of the numpties your threads seem to talk about at the controls of high powered mobo's!!!Guess it does'nt help if you come from Yorkshire though!!!!

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You're jealous of mobo's aren't you, as all you seem to do is make snide remarks about them. /forums/images/icons/frown.gif

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Certainaly not....spent 15 years with 950hp at my disposal all for free...courtesy of the RNLI, your quote"all you seem to do is make snide remarks about them" how do you validate that comment?? if you look at any of my previous post's I dont think that is the case. I care not how you get your kicks providing you don't endanger me whilst I get mine!!!!!!!!

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Here you go!

"Whatever the situation to have been hit on the yachts portside by the bow of the mobo the yacht must have been the stand on vessel and the mobo giveway vessel!!! It proves the point the Colregs are only of use if we all understand them!!"




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Re: Here you go!

Sorry dont understand the plot Kevin....You just stay welded to your keyboard and all will be well!!!!!!!!!!

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