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Question for the OT - group of teenagers going out on a boat

Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:46 am
Posted by SquatchDawg
Cohutta Wilderness
Member since Sep 2012
14218 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:46 am
Our 15 year called and asked if he could go with his friends out on the lake without an adult. They are mostly 15 but it was a family boat of a 16 yr old - so he would be legal in SC. This would be out on a big lake near where we live - and there would've been around 6 of them.

We told him no because the we didn't like the idea of a bunch of 15/16 yr olds out on the lake unsupervised - and we don't know the kid piloting, what type of boat, his parents etc. Also, they generally make bad decisions and act stupid when they're in a pack - as 15 yr olds do. Also, mid summer is busy on the lake.

Helicopter parenting or the right call?

Keep in mind we don't all grow up on the water like our LA brethren and don't live on the lake so this isn't something they've all done enough to be comfortable with their skills and respect for the boat/water.
Posted by flyingtexastiger
Southlake, TX
Member since Oct 2005
1638 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:47 am to
Absolutely the right call

Family member lost a leg at 16 in exactly this situation. Nothing may happen, but not worth the risk
This post was edited on 8/3/22 at 11:53 am
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
35202 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:48 am to
quote:

They are mostly 15 but it was a family boat of a 16 yr old - so he would be legal in SC. This would be out on a big lake near where we live - and there would've been around 6 of them.


No chance.
Posted by Displaced
Member since Dec 2011
32714 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:48 am to
No way in hell.

I mean, he's still probably going to do it, but they would not have my blessings.
This post was edited on 8/3/22 at 11:50 am
Posted by LegendInMyMind
Member since Apr 2019
54369 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:49 am to
quote:

They are mostly 15 but it was a family boat of a 16 yr old - so he would be legal in SC

Your last name isn't Murdaugh, is it?
Posted by LSUballs
RayVegas LA
Member since Feb 2008
37763 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:49 am to
I let my 14yo go out in my bass boat while I'm in the camp. He'll take a friend or two sometimes.
Posted by Kay
Member since Mar 2011
1944 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:49 am to
Would say the same. After all the deaths this year in Southern La., no way in hell.
Posted by im4LSU
Hattiesburg, MS
Member since Aug 2004
32010 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:49 am to
Not a snowball's chance in hell.

And any parent that is ok with it needs to be checked.
Posted by sodcutterjones
Member since May 2018
1243 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:50 am to
helllllll no
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12201 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:50 am to
I went out on boats with my friends by ourselves in high school.

Lots of poor decisions, alcohol, reckless behavior and close calls.

It was great.

But no way my teenagers are allowed to.
Posted by jdd48
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
22118 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:50 am to
Right call IMO. Too many boating accidents revolving around alcohol these days.
Posted by GuidoVestieri
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2021
750 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:50 am to
Beat me to it!
Posted by Jones
Member since Oct 2005
90544 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:51 am to
quote:

Also, mid summer is busy on the lake.


Kicker here. If they were in canals fishing, ok. Busy lake with drunk people everywhere? No way.

I dont trust 16 years olds driving cars, let alone a boat with 5 other teenagers on it in a busy lake.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
18913 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:51 am to
quote:

we don't know the kid piloting, what type of boat, his parents


This is the critical info. If they were family friends and I knew the kid and his boating skills and how he was raised then maybe.

Not having that info then absolutely not.
Posted by Wolfhound45
Hanging with Chicken in Lurkistan
Member since Nov 2009
120000 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:52 am to
quote:

Our 15 year called and asked if he could go with his friends out on the lake without an adult.
Posted by JGTiger
Member since Aug 2007
2940 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:53 am to
quote:

I let my 14yo go out in my bass boat while I'm in the camp. He'll take a friend or two sometimes.


I did too when i was that age but i also spent half my childhood on the water with family. i would drive most of the time, knew how to launch and recover as well.
I'm with the OP though. Little to no experience, would not let them go. Probably won't wear lifejackets, don't know how to use flairs, not thinking about a dry box for phone, and on-and-on.
Posted by madamsquirrel
The Snarlington Estate
Member since Jul 2009
48642 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:54 am to
quote:

we don't know the kid piloting, what type of boat, his parents



This is the critical info. If they were family friends and I knew the kid and his boating skills and how he was raised then maybe.

Not having that info then absolutely not.
this

And we grew up around water and were allowed to go out alone as teenagers so I have that background but without the above info no way.
This post was edited on 8/3/22 at 11:56 am
Posted by Topwater Trout
Red Stick
Member since Oct 2010
67590 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:55 am to
quote:

Also, they generally make bad decisions and act stupid when they're in a pack - as 15 yr olds do.


Yep...good call
Posted by 0x15E
Outer Space
Member since Sep 2020
12739 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:55 am to
quote:

Helicopter parenting or the right call?


Absolutely the right call.

Until one of them is an adult (18+) no kid of mine is going without me or their mother.
Posted by Nutriaitch
Montegut
Member since Apr 2008
7549 posts
Posted on 8/3/22 at 11:56 am to
the right call because of this:

quote:

we don't know the kid piloting, what type of boat, his parents etc


i grew up on water in south Louisiana.
some of my friends my parents trusted without hesitation.
other they (typically rightfully) didn't.

if you don't know them, you can't really trust them
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