HELP!! Grandson wants a boat

[oxbeast1210]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

have you considered a nice fishing kayak you can get sweet peddling ones for under 2000 or a nice regular fishing one for about 500
requires no maintenance and can teach him alot about the water for when you get him a bigger boat..

 

[coolbri70]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

i forgot to mention the pedal boat was very stable i could stand in it took the wife and 2 kids out on it the hull was durable plastic, took a lot of abuse hitting rocks and such, had a built in cooler and cupholders a canopy and removable seat cushions, i used to put a small radio on the dash and spend the day on the water, also had a small transom plate for mounting trolling motor but the pedals worked great, and a new one could be had for 5 to 6 hundred bucks, it was allways ready anytime i wanted to drag it onto my truck and take it down to the lake

 

[oxbeast1210]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

sorry double post

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Just starting out, I would suggest one of the pontoon fishing boats that companies like Cabela's I have had experience with a few of these and they are great for a single person fishing, specifically the hard shelled ones.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/sear...boat&x=0&y=0&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

The Venture 6T pontoon is actually a nice little boat, very durable as well as stable. You might also check other companies, there a massive amount of these pontoons being used here in Montana.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

$399 at Tractor Supply

 

[vogee]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I am new to boating, however my husband grew up boating & started out as you describe your grandson wanting to do. A boating course is a must, one because of the law & two because of all there is to learn. That being said I have learned to boat on a Whaler & have loved its ease of use. The small 9ft size is great for human power, a small motor or sails. I would definitely make the safety course a requirement for any future purchase you might consider. I also agree with the person who said have him save his money for a motor later. Just an opinion from a new boater....

 

[bonz_d]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Neither I or anyone else on this forum knows your grandson. We do not know his maturity level or how responsible he is. But by his own comment I would think he's not ready for a power boat. I see too many irresponsible boat operators on my local waters. Many have ended in accidents and deaths.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

for the right child, 14 years old is a great time to start boating, if not sooner. I agree with the 14' jon boat, I'd put a 9.9 at least on it. Get a square bow; more stable.

If you get something dorky like a paddle boat he will leave boating and go inside to the video games. Same with a row boat or even a trolling motor (unless that's what people use in your waters; my perspective is open water like we have on the coast). Someone said let him row for 2 years then get a motor? forget it.

He needs to pay for part of it, buy gas, etc. so it is his and he will have the incentive to care for it (not that a jon requires any care). If he doesn't have any money now, set up a family loan, including cutting your grass each week as a payment. Don't lend him money for gas, though; he needs to learn that you work first then play. Or con your friends into buying gas.

I'd get a trailer; he and his friends will be driving soon enough.

Equip his boat with good communications for your area and a set of oars. Let him learn from his mistakes. Let him know you will yank the boat if he's stupidly unsafe.

Remember, when you are showing him how to be a boater,"it's not what's taught, it's what's caught." Be extra safe. Never show "road rage" and show him how to yield to someone who is doing it wrong if that's the smarter way. Do not drink even that "just one beer" until he learns so he won't associate cold beer and boats (the way most of us were raised); they don't have the judgment we do.

Don't discourage him; get him on the water. There is nothing better for a child to learn how to deal with stuff than being in a boat. The independence coupled with responsibility is worth its weight in gold and will be a great maturing process. And it's a lot safer on the water than what most teens do or are tempted to do on land.

 

[BonairII]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

He needs to pay for part of it, buy gas, etc. so it is his and he will have the incentive to care for it (not that a jon requires any care). If he doesn't have any money now, set up a family loan, including cutting your grass each week as a payment. Don't lend him money for gas, though; he needs to learn that you work first then play.

I agree. If he's just planning on running the boat and leaving the gas,maintenance etc to dad/grandpa....he's not ready for a boat.

I would start out with a very basic boat/motor.....if he continues to show interest, you can always upgrade down the road.

 

[southkogs]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

I agree. If he's just planning on running the boat and leaving the gas,maintenance etc to dad/grandpa....he's not ready for a boat.

+1 to this and Home Cookin's point: When I was a kid, boating was mainly done with Grandpa's and dad. One Grandpa' was the fishing guy and the other was the sailor (literally a sail boat). Dad was everything in between. In EVERY case, I was cleaning boats, rigging boats, stowing gear, etc, etc, ... even if the old 14' rowboat didn't honestly need cleaning, I was cleaning it. They kept calling something goofy like good discipline or character building.

Didn't get it then, but great memories now.

 

[Cowthief]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

If he is saying "I don't need a safety course" then he is not mature or responsible enough for a boat yet.

Next will be with an gas motor saying "I don't need to move out of this guys way or stay so many feet from a dock".

 

[pootnic]

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

If it isn't legally necessary to have a safety boating coarse,I wouldn't have got one or made my son get his either.
Depends on how much time you spend on he water(experience).I never had to have a boating coarse till about 5 years ago and I wouldn't have gotten but the laws said it was necessary now, so in my late 30's took the coarse.I bet theres a bunch of people that never took a boating coarse until it was deemed necessary by law.That being said,if your in a busy area and no nothing about boats(ing),I would highly suggest a boating coarse.
I agree with a 12-14 foot aluminum(jon boat) with around a 6-9.9hp,a good canoe/kayak can be fun also.(all the manditory gear,pfds,bailer,whistle,paddles,rope,anchor,waterproof light,sigal devise maybe cell,etc)
If you want to put the gas in for him,thats up to you,he your grandson and I'm not going to tell you how to spoil him.
Like mentioned earlier,I'd rather have him out on the water learning real stuff,then laying on the couch.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

Re: HELP!!Grandson wants a boat

eventhough it wasn't required I made both of my daughters pass a safety course on line before they could take the boats out; they were about 13 at the time. I also gave them lots of my own tests!

My favorite is to secretly disconnect the gas line and let them figure out what happened and what to do. I also throw stuff overboard and make them go back and get it. Part of that test is whether they looked back for other boats before slowing or turning.