Great thread! I have been on the same lake for 49 years. I think it made an impression. My mother said she worried I would drown until she watched me walk into the lake with my diaper on until completely submerged and walk back out without it. I have a 5 yr. old nephew and 10 yr. old niece that I will be swimming and boating with this weekend. The little ones you just need to keep and eye on unless their constantly screaming for you to watch me! Their never to young and hopefully we will never get to old as someone before me posted.
What about two moderately priced boats for different occasions? My Talon is perfect for the family and going fast. For a change we run a 20' outlaw with a swim platform that the kids prefer. Both of them are only worth about 35K. But they both start every time and the outlaw is about maintenance free for the season which is year round.
You will make some of the best memories with your family and friends just being on the water. Heck. I'm taking four hours off Friday to go boating with the adults. The kids will be stuck in school. Keep us posted on your purchase and we will need photos!!!

The first time my daughter was on the boat was 6 weeks old. She was in a vest, being held and tethered to my wife, who was wearing a lifeline. I operate super conservative with her on board and she loves it. Knocks right out as soon as the boat comes on plane, only problem is she won't nap because she's too excited! 3 is no problem, just boat safely.

One of mine was on my Cafe at 10 days old and one was on the Cafe at 9 days old. They turned 3 and 5 this summer - both swim without life preservers, jump off, climb back up and do it over and over. They love it, grew up on it, and don't know anything different. My oldest actually climbed up on the tower of my fathers 27 Wellcraft this summer and jumped off. It was nuts, but they just grew up on the water and don't know anything else.

They would love a Gun - Do it.....

First boat ride mine was less than a month old. In this picture he is about a year. 3 now and loves every minute of it. Use common sense as you stated and everything will be fine.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e6...pse02a06ac.jpg

I'm just hoping my son stays interested in boats, so he doesn't get into sport bikes like daddy did.

Boating with your kids is what it's all about in my opinion!!!

https://youtu.be/P_Hi8R5f9lw https://youtu.be/qf6YVLenCIM https://youtu.be/8zEfgSmEmNE

What a great pic, the little one with his hand on the throttle! He is ready to go!

Took the grandkids out for a ride summer before last and was worried I might have scared them , but this past summer it was papa can you take us for a boat ride. Get them interested young !

[QUOTE=buck35;4493414]Took the grandkids out for a ride summer before last and was worried I might have scared them , but this past summer it was papa can you take us for a boat ride. Get them interested young ![/QUOTE
Good point. Both of my girls love the loud boat(dry to the tip). Took a friends formula out and my oldest daughter asked why it was so quiet lol.