Lending your boat to the kids

I've been trying to encourage the kids to use SR, but mostly they lack the confidence to go out on their own, but have used her on the mooring.

They're both happy to borrow the motorhome which is probably worth more than SR & probably more risky to use as the roads are probably (statistically) far more dangerous.

The MH has a lot more sophisticated kit on it too. :D
 
My dad has no problem letting me use his boats BUT there is no way I would let him loose on his own out on one of mine .......
 
My Dad taught me to helm his boats from age 10, started on a Fletcher speedboat, then a Seamaster 813 and a Sealion 41. He would let me take the boats out BUT only with a selected group of friends who they thought were trustworthy :eek: I was in my teens and early 20s then.

I didn't dare cause any problems as I would have been in so much trouble!

I think if my Dad hadn't let me then I wouldn't have the love of boats I have today. It did use to cost me a lot of boat cleaning to use them......

Luckily I don't have any children and cats don't ask to drive boats :D
 
My dad has had boats since I was about 10, a 4.5 inflatable that I used to drive while he skiied behind, and unless I was forcibly removed from the helm, I would be the one doing the driving. It wasnt until I was about 15 he let me go out on the boat without him, and even then it was only a 16' fisher with my younger brother, with my dad eying me from the pub less than a mile away. Generally I've always been a pretty sensible (sometime boring) guy, but I have to admit to having a slight 'red mist' that comes down when engines are involved, so I went out did a few laps, then did the old 'trim up engine, engage forward gear and rev' trick, and I came back to a slight glare, but I think he was generally happy with the way I behaved. It wasnt until a few years later when he had a 20' Searay that I had my first proper trip out, with my then gf (now fiancee) and a mate and his gf. Only within Milford Haven for a little cruise and got my mate and the girls in the ringo, and it was a very proud day for me, now just in the showing off sense, but I was proud that my dad trusted me enough to take out his pride and joy. Hes now got a good old Fairline Corniche, and when were on a passage, neither of us are the skipper, Every decision about weather and sea condions is made between us. I truly owe my love of boats/boating to the experience we've shared, and it has shaped my life to the point that I now work for a boat dealer commisioning and sea trialling boats something I dont think I would have gone into if it wasnt for earlier life experiences. My job also helps with the trust thing in that I've driven probably close to a couple of hundred boats from little ribs to 50' Flybridges, so at least he doesnt have to worry so much about me bumping it.

Gareth
 
If my Dad never let me get to know his 17' dinky, I probably wouldn't be taking delivery of my 37' next week ;)

Get your kids involved, start them at the basics.... ropes etc. then as they age etc. introduce them to helming. Don't forget the professional teachings too, always a good thing!

My Dad's friend, who bought my Zaffiro 34, I think actually just bought it for his kids. In his own words "Sure i'll be gone in a few years anyhow"
 
Bought my lads (13) a 3.4m SIB with a 4.5hp outboard to get them keen & they love it although I don't leave the beach when they're out!:)
They've taken the wheel on my 17ft 1965 Glastron toy but I think 115hp (soon to be 135hp) might just be a step too far.............:D
 
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