AZBoatDreamer
Lieutenant Junior Grade
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,100
I have to Pat myself on the back.
This weekend it was just me and my 9yr son with the boat. I was a nervous nilly having to do the Launch and retrieval myself. I had all my checklists ready for Pre Launch, Launch, Retrieval and Post retrieval. The only oops was I untied the Saftey trailer rope to soon. When I backed the boat down the ramp with my son in the boat the boat starting unreeling itself when it got into the water still hooked to the winch strap. He got out there about 10 feet still attached to the winch strap. I joked with him and said "Your going with Out Me" and we both laughed about it. Shrug! He told his mom about the mistake.
Thanks to all the threads about Solo Boating helped alot even though I wasn't solo I still did everything. I was prepared with all the stuff to tie the boat to the dock when I went to parK and retrieve the trailer. I had ropes and bumpers all ready.
It was a good bonding experience with me and my 9yr son without Mommy. Even though we didn't ski or tube it was fun riding around and swimming. I discovered I like boating even without water sports. I even got him out the door by 6:00am and arrived at the lake at 6:30am. No way possible to get my wife and older boys out the door that early and it was nice to arrive at the lake before the rush.
Ok if you read this far I have more a parenting question.
I left the boat unattended for maybe 10 minutes each time I went to park and retrieve the trailer at the dock. I was nervous doing this having visions of someone releasing the boat by untieing the ropes. I thought of having my 9yr son sit in the boat with Life Jacket on while I dealt with the trailer. So he would be alone in the boat 10 minutes at a time. I think I would be even more nervous leaving him alone than someone untieing the boat. Is he too young to be left in the boat alone? How young is too young to leave kids in boat alone for my situation? Even though he complained about the long walk to park and get the trailer I think I made the right decision. I haven't asked my wife this question because I think I already know the answer.
Sorry for the long post.
This was one of the best boating days so far in my boat ownership. My son is addicted to boating as I am.
David
This weekend it was just me and my 9yr son with the boat. I was a nervous nilly having to do the Launch and retrieval myself. I had all my checklists ready for Pre Launch, Launch, Retrieval and Post retrieval. The only oops was I untied the Saftey trailer rope to soon. When I backed the boat down the ramp with my son in the boat the boat starting unreeling itself when it got into the water still hooked to the winch strap. He got out there about 10 feet still attached to the winch strap. I joked with him and said "Your going with Out Me" and we both laughed about it. Shrug! He told his mom about the mistake.
Thanks to all the threads about Solo Boating helped alot even though I wasn't solo I still did everything. I was prepared with all the stuff to tie the boat to the dock when I went to parK and retrieve the trailer. I had ropes and bumpers all ready.
It was a good bonding experience with me and my 9yr son without Mommy. Even though we didn't ski or tube it was fun riding around and swimming. I discovered I like boating even without water sports. I even got him out the door by 6:00am and arrived at the lake at 6:30am. No way possible to get my wife and older boys out the door that early and it was nice to arrive at the lake before the rush.
Ok if you read this far I have more a parenting question.
I left the boat unattended for maybe 10 minutes each time I went to park and retrieve the trailer at the dock. I was nervous doing this having visions of someone releasing the boat by untieing the ropes. I thought of having my 9yr son sit in the boat with Life Jacket on while I dealt with the trailer. So he would be alone in the boat 10 minutes at a time. I think I would be even more nervous leaving him alone than someone untieing the boat. Is he too young to be left in the boat alone? How young is too young to leave kids in boat alone for my situation? Even though he complained about the long walk to park and get the trailer I think I made the right decision. I haven't asked my wife this question because I think I already know the answer.
Sorry for the long post.
This was one of the best boating days so far in my boat ownership. My son is addicted to boating as I am.
David