On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 08:52:28 -0500, Harry Krause wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Sat, 19 Nov 2005 07:40:39 -0500, "Sir Rodney Smithers" Ask me about my
knighthood. wrote:

JohnH,

In most states it would be illegal to let preteens take out the boat for a
weekend. When I a was a kid, it was fairly common to let a 12 yr old to
take the boat out. Today more states are getting wiser and are setting
minimum age requirements for boaters (16yr old), and insisting teens and in
some states adults pass a Boater Educational Course. The offer the courses
online, and they are far from perfect, but it is a start in the right
direction.

Today, I see substantially few idiots on the water than I did 10 yrs ago,
and the accident statistics continue to show improvements.

I know, I know. The comment was directed at Harry's comment that his boat could
comfortably sleep three kids *or* two adults.


I've had three little kids aboard, and for 10 minutes two of them
actually did take naps. Then, it was back to the usual mayhem. I just
slap lifejackets on them and hope for the best. Any kid who won't wear a
jacket stays ashore.

One of my cats likes to ride on the boats. Most of the others probably
would not.

There aren't many under 30' boats in which I'd want to be trying to
sleep while there are a bunch of rugrats aboard. Albin makes a model or
two that might be suitable, and they are not the horrid bubble boats.

I believe NOYB was talking about an 'overnighter', not an afternoon on the
water. The law requires life jackets for little kids, so it's not a matter of
choosing.
--
John H

"It's *not* a baby kicking, bride of mine, it's just a fetus!"

A Famous Hypocrite