My son's first 'car'...

[BentSailor]

*laugh* Good stuff, CD.

Not much room to get the first (second?) girlfriend in that "car"... guess he'll need to borrow the old man's ride soon

For what it's worth, you only need a license here if going over 10 knots... but my eldest will be applying for that license next year. I too expect to be corrected on things after that happens.

[smackdaddy]

Put a pair of 250s on the back of that thing and let him have some fun.

[bobperry]

"You gave him that?
What's wrong, don't you love him?"

That quote came from my always stoic and taciturn Mercedes mechanic when I told him I had given my 300SD to my son.

[Yofy]

Wow. That brings back memories.
I remember my first boat with an outboard. FREEDOM! It was on a lake in northern Ontario, Canada and I learned so much about good boating skills and outboard engines. He's going to have a great time!

Robyn

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by bobperry

"You gave him that?
What's wrong, don't you love him?"

That quote came from my always stoic and taciturn Mercedes mechanic when I told him I had given my 300SD to my son.

Well, this certainly isn't a mercedes. Not sure it would even count as a Toyota. I am thinking more... Ford Pinto. We got three leaks fixed so far. Just sprang another two. Hehe. Oh well. Did get the engine to run. Only took about 100 pulls!!!

But like I said, he doesn't care. He likes just getting out by himself or with his brother.

Brian

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by BentSailor

*laugh* Good stuff, CD.

Not much room to get the first (second?) girlfriend in that "car"... guess he'll need to borrow the old man's ride soon

For what it's worth, you only need a license here if going over 10 knots... but my eldest will be applying for that license next year. I too expect to be corrected on things after that happens.

Although this engine and dink is capable of 10 kts, that would require it to all work correctly!! Sometimes paddling is faster than the engine is capable of I think.

Brian

PS He ain't takin' out my dink anymore. Its now off limits.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by Cruisingdad

Although this engine and dink is capable of 10 kts, that would require it to all work correctly!! Sometimes paddling is faster than the engine is capable of I think.

Brian

PS He ain't takin' out my dink anymore. Its now off limits.

..... figured there had to be an ulterior motive ....

[snaxbox]

Really nice memories! Congratulations to your son

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by tdw

..... figured there had to be an ulterior motive ....

Always!!!

Brian

[elspru]

I just hope you're aware that small open powerboats are the most dangerous form of boating, statistically speaking. In Canada 37% of boat-drownings happen in small open powerboats. with only 4% being in sailboats, which are even marginally safer than paddle boats. http://www.redcross.ca/cmslib/genera...wn_english.pdf
In the US it's much more bleak with 7/10 boating deaths in US are in power boats under 21 feet. http://www.commanderbob.com/cbstats.html and about a third of those open-motorboaters die of causes other than drowning (I don't even want to think about what those might be) http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...Statistics.pdf

Though ultimately it's up to you and your kids. I see they aren't wearing life jackets on the boat, so perhaps safety isn't a priority. Though personally I'd rather see both you and them to have safe, long and happy lives. :-)

In terms of our kids, when they come of age i.e. 16 or as soon as they are ready afterwards, planning on getting them liveaboard sailboats, likely without engines -- they usually only cost about twice as much as a dinghy used. Then they'll be ahead of the pack in terms of having the resources to start their own lives and live independently.