Stormrider

My daughter is 6 1/2. What is the youngest you'd let someone behind the wheel.

I was steering my dads boat at that age, but it only did 21knots.

mr_velocity

My son has been driving boats since 2 1/2, just the little whaler jet at that point. He could handle that boat solo since age 4, though I am always in the boat. Last year, at age 9, he stepped up to driving the 41 Velocity, I throttle. I built a box that anchors into the bolster so he can stand and see, lanyards and life jackets are a must for both of us. We only do this out in the ocean away from everyone. We'll run the coast of NJ, Sea Bright to Pt Pleasant all out 85mph with him driving all the time. Between the 3 boats he already has hundreds of hours behind the wheel.

He's also has a wealth of knowledge on motors and drives. When neighbors come and ask for help I usually just send him out

Lucididee

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!
Reminds me of me at her age! I don't remember how old I was when my dad let me behind the wheel, but it was under 6 years of age.
You need to tell her about Betty Cook! I idolized her when I was growing up! She was the coolest!

Lucididee

They will get more than they bargained for!

rockstrmkr

Awesome!

Up until two weeks ago, my 6 1/2 year old daughter was absolutely terrified and unwilling to get on anyones boat, not just mine, to the point where it became counterproductive to even ask if she wanted to go for a boat ride.
Two Sundays ago she decided on her own to come for a ride...
and now she LOVES it!!!
Got off the boat and said..."Daddy, your boat is too small and not fast enough!"
What a turnaround...kids are amazing !

zzzzzz

gotta love it looks like a 251 convincor

Cash Bar

Gary Ballough from Team Mapei brought his SS class race boat to Sarasota for our New Year's Day fun run.
He had his 13 year old daughter with him to drive. On the run back to the Hyatt, in the Gulf, they passed us going right at 100mph.

She was great behind the wheel, I know I chase that boat in SS races all the time. I Told her I have to win a National/World Championship in the next 4 years because when she's 18 it's over for the rest of us.

45sonic

That's our Joelle!! You go girl!!

Thanks for stopping by on Sunday. It was great to see all of you.

P&B

Airpacker

Cool Matt. My soon to be 7 yr old has been sitting on my lap driving for a few seasons now. I can't wait until she's ready to try it without me behind her. She hasn't quite got the hang of getting my cat planed off yet but we're workin on it. I told her mom that I was going to buy her a 28 skater when she turned 16 because the hand eye speed on the sticks with 11 years of experience will be amazing. I'll just have to shut up and drive and let her throttle

Shah Mat

I'm glad you two were home. I kept telling you we were just going to barge up your dock unannounced. Next time I'll do it right though, Friday instead of Sunday , and a case under each arm...