HELP!! Grandson wants a boat

[johnbuczek51]

He's 14 and is an avid fisherman but is tired of walking the shores and would like to get out onto the water.

He sends me links to Craigs List for older glass boats and I keep telling him he MAY BE looking at a problem or two and a project that he will soon tire of. The first pic is one he likes and it looks good. A 1973 14' Stuery with all that you see there for $1,800.00. I say it's overpriced and until you get it home and look it over good there may be some rot etc. to take care of.

I'm looking at older 13-14 foot aluminum boats ($400.00) and if they need a few rivets fixed (G-Flex) and a seam repaired (Aluminum weld) he will be in the water quicker and for less money.

Each time he wants to use the boat it will require Dad to either tow it (boat 1) or put it in the back of his pickup (boats 2 & 3).........and I'm not sure that the Grandson will do the necessary maintenance after each use.

OK? I'm the Grand dad and what do I know?. Maybe you guys can post your thoughts and he'll listen and HEAR what you have to say.

Thanks.......john

 

[tswiczko]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I don't know where you are at or what your laws on piloting a craft are but I believe most areas are similar, at least 16 with a valid drivers license, or supervised by an adult, some areas require a boater safety course and endorsement as well. You will have to look into that with you're local DMV and DNR.

As far as buying "him" a boat is up to you, but being he is a minor It may be better you or dad buy a boat and help him learn as you learn. A boater safety course sounds like a good place for everyone to start.

although I see nothing wrong with a small row boat for local ponds rivers and such, but again I don't know the waters you will be allowing him to boat on. A little more information could be helpful here. As far as a fiberglass boat there are a lot of things that can be an issue like rot etc and if you do not know much about boats you would want someone local to consult with and put a set of experienced eyes on.

 

[BonairII]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

A small aluminum with a small outboard(or decent electric trolling motor) is the way to go.

That fiberglass is way overpriced IMO...and too much for a 14yr old to be learning with.

At 14...he's going to need adult supervision on the water, so keep that in mind.

 

[steelespike]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Old fiberglass can be a night mare and they are heavy. A good sound aluminum 14 footer should work fine.
Be sure its 14ft down the middle that usually will be a little bigger in all dimensions. many are called 14 but measured
along the side a longer dimension."gunnel length" actual length is under 14.
We used to run a big 14 in the saint lawrence and on some big lakes.You do need to use common sense and pay attention to conditions
and don't stray too far from shelter.If your thinking about a motor a 5 hp will plane with 2 and light gear maybe 12 mph.
Get a recognized major brand.
if he's going to be paddling/rowing you might consider an aluminum canoe. I think he might be able to carry a 14 footer a
12 ft for sure they sell foam blocks and you can put it on top of a car Much easier to paddle than a "row boat"
they glide longer between strokes and usually the longer they are the easier they move through the water.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I started with a 12' jon boat at a very young age. I learned to row but I was still not capable at age 6. I was rowing and out on my own before I was 10 years old. Even to this day I still enjoy rowing a jon boat on a lake or a pond.

Why not start him with a small boat or even inflatable. The significant decision is where he will be using it.

If you opt for power I would go with a 12-14' V bottom and a small 9.9 or less motor. I consider that the best combination of boat and motor for any fishing situation.

If you or your son must be the driver....... I would still make the grandson take a boating course and make sure he can row

Like other's here I also have countless pre-teenage miles on a bicycle where I carried my rod and tackle.

I am glad to actually hear that your grandson enjoys fishing that much. My grandson is 5 and loves to fish

 

[roscoe]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Aluminum, 12-14-16' v or jon

Electric or 4-7.5 hp

Or just a set of oars, he can get a job and buy a motor himself next year.

Get him his boating certificate and a pfd, then turn him loose.

 

[johnbuczek51]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I don't know where you are at or what your laws on piloting a craft are but I believe most areas are similar, at least 16 with a valid drivers license, or supervised by an adult, some areas require a boater safety course and endorsement as well. You will have to look into that with you're local DMV and DNR.

As far as buying "him" a boat is up to you, but being he is a minor It may be better you or dad buy a boat and help him learn as you learn. A boater safety course sounds like a good place for everyone to start.

although I see nothing wrong with a small row boat for local ponds rivers and such, but again I don't know the waters you will be allowing him to boat on. A little more information could be helpful here. As far as a fiberglass boat there are a lot of things that can be an issue like rot etc and if you do not know much about boats you would want someone local to consult with and put a set of experienced eyes on.

Massachusetts and the laws are as you indicate....boat safety course was recommended and a PDF file was given so he could take the course.........but I think he said "I don't need it" or something to that affect. He's 14, a boy and oh well:redface:

I will pursue the boating course with him.

Boat will be used in a small lake and possibly a river. I see you concur somewhat about fiberglass, at least 40+ year old ones.

Thanks so much for the response...............john

 

[johnbuczek51]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

A small aluminum with a small outboard(or decent electric trolling motor) is the way to go.

That fiberglass is way overpriced IMO...and too much for a 14yr old to be learning with.

At 14...he's going to need adult supervision on the water, so keep that in mind.

I see you agree on the pricing of the boat........ supervision...yes, until he gets some experience under him and passes the "boating course"

Thanks for your response.........john

 

[johnbuczek51]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

If you opt for power I would go with a 12-14' V bottom and a small 9.9 or less motor. I consider that the best combination of boat and motor for any fishing situation.

Exactly my thoughts...

I would still make the grandson take a boating course and make sure he can row.

Great advice....the course may be a problem and rowing.he may need a course in that

Thanks....john

 

[johnbuczek51]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Aluminum, 12-14-16' v or jon

Electric or 4-7.5 hp

My exact thoughts

Or just a set of oars

Oars...are those the funny looking things that are straight with a paddle-like end??? Yes a set of oars just-in-case

Thanks........john

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Personaly I would start him with a small alum boat and a electric motor and see how he he handles things and then in 2 years if he cares for the stuff and takes the course you can talk about a gas motor.

 

[Philster]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Oars are connected to the boat. Paddles aren't. Something like that.

Row row row your boat... with oars. Paddle a kayak, small raft, etc.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I agree that a 10'-12' tinny/jon boat with perhaps with an old Johnson 5.5-10 hp would be good to start with. They're tough so can handle the inevitable dents and dings that will occur, and they can be fixed with everyday tools form the hardware store,and there are no icky chemicals, or fumes to deal with like when repairing f'glass. You can usually pick them up for a couple hundred bucks and they can even be recycled like a soup can, if worse comes to worse, so you can get a bit of your money back should it ever come to that. Plus, tin baots are small and light. A 10' jon boat can be loaded into and out of a pick up with ease by a 14 year old, or a 64 year old

 

[5150abf]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

The first thing I would cover with the grandson is that he is absolutely not OWED a boat just because he wants one, I am old school and when I was 14 I wanted a dirt bike, my dad told me I could get anything I wanted, then added, as soon as you earn enough money to get one.

Very valuable life lesson there, things in life are not given to you and sometimes you have to row a boat if you want to fish.

I would make the boater coarse a caviot to getting the boat since it is required anyways, the last thing any of us on the water want is a 14 year old tearing around on a boat not knowing what he is doing.

Go with the jon and a nice set of oars since he can't run an engine yet anyhow and that is how it is, I hate to come down too hard on him but kids today think everything they want is owed them simply because they ask for it.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

No glass boats!

12-14' aluminum bench boat and a 9.9 or less hp tiller steer motor. Add a small fishfinder and away he goes.

 

[ampcarfan]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I agree that a 12-14' tinny with a 9.9 MAX is the perfect choice. As far as the Boaters course and him saying "I don't need it", hold your ground for his own good and your own possible guilt later. Teach him about the golden rule "Ye with the gold, makes the rules". Grampas' cash/Grampas' rules.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

You're welcome John. (I forgot something in my first post :facepalm

Welcome aboard

 

[coolbri70]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

i had a plastic pedal boat i got used for $150 i didnt need registered or maintained i could carry it to the lake from the bed of my truck and i caught a lot of fish in it, it never cost any more money than $150 and i sold it for $200, oh i was younger then and could pedal fast enough to out pace jon boats with trolling motors, also did not spend a dime on fuel

 

[ssobol]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

You need to consider were he might use it. A number of smaller lakes and rivers have restrictions on the size/type of engine. In my neck of the woods most of the smaller lakes do not allow gas motors at all. There are a few than allow gas motors of a limited size. In one case you can put a boat in with a gas motor, but if it is bigger than 10HP you must keep it tilted up. You don't want to get a boat that can only be used in a few places.

The other thing is to get your grandson to put up all or a majority share of the purchase price. I'm sure he can mow lawns and such to earn money. Do not put up the money and have him pay you back. If he has to buy the boat himself he will learn the value of money and working towards a goal. He is likely to take better care of something he had to work for then something that just appeared because he wanted it. This is an opportunity for a good life lesson.

Nowadays a lot of states require young people to take a boating safety course before being allowed to use a powered boat unsupervised. Need to check the requirements in your state.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Just happen to look up your laws, legally he is required to go thru a safety course to operate a motorboat alone:
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/boatrvsafe.htm

I'm with the rest, aluminum not fiberglass. I would opt for a deep 14' for the extra stability(appears to be like #3). 16' w/o a trailer may be a little tough to handle. A deep 14' will be pushing it......