How young have folks let their kid use an outboard on their own?

[xxMyFirstBoatxx]

Re: How young have folks let their kid use an outboard on their own?

If I remember correctly my Dad said"when you can buy it you can drive it" but he said that with anything that had a motor

lmfao absolutely!!! but hey im 21 with my own boat now so guess it wasnt a bad rule....but my only concern with young kids and teens drive anything is there crisis management skills what if some one gets hurt or has a medical emergency? I dunno im thinking mature 18 year olds and up....life is just so fragile its not worth the risk!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How young have folks let their kid use an outboard on their own?

Wow. quite the spread of answers. I myself was under 10 when I was driving our Elgin 7.5hp but don't recall how old exactly. And I agree, they gotta be able to pull start it before they can use it!

 

[baggersteve]

Re: How young have folks let their kid use an outboard on their own?

My father gave the spare keys to his Lyman Islander to my brother and myself when we were nine. But this privilege came with responsibilities. We had to earn and pay for the slip fee every year.

David, that was so HE didn't have to pay for the slip. He scammed you, what a great dad. Wish I would have thought of that, would have saved me a fortune. Actually, I'm surprised MY dad didn't think of it.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How young have folks let their kid use an outboard on their own?

What about trolling motors? Easier, safer, younger?