Kids docking boat - opinions?

[Fun2Fish]

chimp_boat.gif

[Bamabonners]

I let my 15 drive yesterday all by himself. He wasn’t afraid to open it up.

[Ytmsn]

That's a GREat shot Bama!

[AsLan7]

Hey, great pic. Love seeing this hobby passed on to the next generation.

[Big Block Power]

I should have taken a picture the other week but I didn't. Max has blower duty. So we were launching the boat and Max was sitting in the captain's chair and he's never asked before but I guess he thought he should drive. Lol
So I said look how far we are in the water. Yes the blower has been on already. I said push the trim button down to about this mark on the guage. And start the engine. He did all very well. Let the engine warm up some and tell mom ok and mom backed the trailer in the rest of the way and stopped and the boat slid off and I showed him which button to pull up to release the shifter into reverse and he did it very slowly. Then got to the point to go forward and showed him that and he headed to the dock then I took over. He did really good and no panic and it was windy or I would have let him dock it. I was impressed that he even wanted to. I guess boater safety class is coming soon .

[NautiGirl]

I should have taken a picture the other week but I didn't. Max has blower duty. So we were launching the boat and Max was sitting in the captain's chair and he's never asked before but I guess he thought he should drive. Lol
So I said look how far we are in the water. Yes the blower has been on already. I said push the trim button down to about this mark on the guage. And start the engine. He did all very well. Let the engine warm up some and tell mom ok and mom backed the trailer in the rest of the way and stopped and the boat slid off and I showed him which button to pull up to release the shifter into reverse and he did it very slowly. Then got to the point to go forward and showed him that and he headed to the dock then I took over. He did really good and no panic and it was windy or I would have let him dock it. I was impressed that he even wanted to. I guess boater safety class is coming soon .

Nice tell Max I said great work!

Sometimes Katie lets me dock the boat.....

[LSTGR81]

5 too young?. He asks me every time we are out, repeatedly. I’m happy he’s a gear head too..

.

[AsLan7]

5 too young?. He asks me every time we are out, repeatedly. I’m happy he’s a gear head too..

.

Great pic!
He even matches the key FOB.
.

[Big Block Power]

I should have taken a picture the other week but I didn't. Max has blower duty. So we were launching the boat and Max was sitting in the captain's chair and he's never asked before but I guess he thought he should drive. Lol
So I said look how far we are in the water. Yes the blower has been on already. I said push the trim button down to about this mark on the guage. And start the engine. He did all very well. Let the engine warm up some and tell mom ok and mom backed the trailer in the rest of the way and stopped and the boat slid off and I showed him which button to pull up to release the shifter into reverse and he did it very slowly. Then got to the point to go forward and showed him that and he headed to the dock then I took over. He did really good and no panic and it was windy or I would have let him dock it. I was impressed that he even wanted to. I guess boater safety class is coming soon .

Nice tell Max I said great work!

Sometimes Katie lets me dock the boat.....

Ive heard those stories. I would continue to let Katie if you want it to stay shiny. Lol

[NautiGirl]

I should have taken a picture the other week but I didn't. Max has blower duty. So we were launching the boat and Max was sitting in the captain's chair and he's never asked before but I guess he thought he should drive. Lol
So I said look how far we are in the water. Yes the blower has been on already. I said push the trim button down to about this mark on the guage. And start the engine. He did all very well. Let the engine warm up some and tell mom ok and mom backed the trailer in the rest of the way and stopped and the boat slid off and I showed him which button to pull up to release the shifter into reverse and he did it very slowly. Then got to the point to go forward and showed him that and he headed to the dock then I took over. He did really good and no panic and it was windy or I would have let him dock it. I was impressed that he even wanted to. I guess boater safety class is coming soon .

Nice tell Max I said great work!

Sometimes Katie lets me dock the boat.....

Ive heard those stories. I would continue to let Katie if you want it to stay shiny. Lol

It was windy, my hand slipped, the sun was in my eyes....

[Big Block Power]

Nice tell Max I said great work!

Sometimes Katie lets me dock the boat.....

Ive heard those stories. I would continue to let Katie if you want it to stay shiny. Lol

It was windy, my hand slipped, the sun was in my eyes....

Right all of those each time.lol

[Table Rockin]

Great story BBP. We dont trailer of course but ive let my oldest take some runs at navigating in slip. She hasnt gotten it yet but we will get there. Boater safety course coming soon as well.

[TwoBurgers]

I think I would buy a little boat for the kid to learn on - like a 13' Whaler... I have noticed many lake houses for sale often throw in an old bowrider that has been on the lift for years. I would gladly let my son take out a beater - with the understanding that it was his to maintain and it wouldn't be replaced. And as another poster said, get the 12 year old kids their boater's license - great online winter activity.
Another way of saying only I bring my boat in to a dock, although I have let various GF's drive in the middle of the lake.
Chris

[MnLakeBum]

I grew up on the water started driving alone with a 14’ fishing boat when I was 8 or 9. I certainly could dock our ski boat by the age of 12 or pull it on a trailer by myself while my dad backed the trailer into the water. That being said, my son is 20 and doesn’t have much boating experience since we’ve only had a boat the last 2 summers. He had a small accident pulling the 28’ Marker One into the lift a few weeks ago but luckily there was only a tiny scratch in the gel coat about an inch long. The 6,000 lb tank pushed the lift over about a foot when he hit it coming in crooked and we were able to easily pull it back into place with a tow rope. I took him out the day after the incident and had him pull into and out of the lift about 25 times and he is a pro at it now.

[AsLan7]

Some great stories here. Pics rotated for ya'....

.