Underage drivers trolling

[ohiofinlander]

Hi guys and gals.This is my first post,what a great site.My compliments to everybody involved.
I've been hashing it around on wether or not to let my little one get started driving the boat while trolling this year.Has anyone had any problems with the coast guard or ODNR frowning on this?He's very capable,but to young to take the test.Thanks for your response.

[FreeByrd]

While far from an official answer - I can't fathom this being an issue as long as common sense is used. Ease him/her into it when it isn't real crowded and take over when it gets busy/crowded. They will probally do a better job than half the people that are "driving" and not paying attention at all.
Steve

[bountyhunters]

my ten yr old grand son does better than the old farts I fish with .

[Ricochet1]

Isn't there a law/rule that states that the young person at the helm has to have a valid boater's safety certificate and is also limited to the size of the motor regardless of the speed?

[Youngerthanu]

IMHO I would either drive the boat if I were you and let jr run the back of the boat himself. Yes downriggers will be releasing falsely and dipsys will be getting tangled, etc. etc. but when that 1 fish finally hits........ I dont think he will be interested in driving anymore.

Do not help in setting up back of boat, tell him you need to steer to keep everything he is letting out straight. Learning this by himself and catching the fish himself will be embedded in his memory longer than just grabbing the rod that is bouncing that someone else set up.

[KHB]

This link to the Ohio Division of Watercraft may better answer your question regarding the legal requirements. Our family took the course when we bought our boat. I believe my daughter was 12 at the time. Highly recommend the course.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/ed/edreq.htm

[knappy]

FYI: If you are in Michigan waters the rules are as follows:

Those less than 12 years of age:
- May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) without restrictions.
- May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised onboard by a person at least 16 years of age.
- May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions.

Those 12 to 15 years of age:
- May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions.
- May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they:
Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have onboard their boating safety certificate or...
Are accompanied onboard by a person at least 16 years of age.

Those 16 years of age or older:

- May operate any boat on the waters of Michigan.

[Airwave(OH)]

Just do it, keep your eye on him and I'm guessing you'll have no problem. Like Steve said if you find traffic getting alittle heavy maybe take over and move out away from crowds. He'll be on top of the world I'm sure. Heck most the time no ones driving mine.




I always heard that age is just mind over matter.......if you don't mind, it don't matter!

[JimH]

In the state of Wisconsin, anyone at least 10 years of age, while with a guardian over the age of 18, can legally operate a motorboat. But...common sense says that if boat traffic is really bad, an adult should be operating it. I let my 14 and 11 year old operate a 115HP, but only if it's reasonably open water. Anytime it starts to get crowded, I take over. And....make sure the kill switch is attached to YOU and not them.

[bob oh]

No person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower unless the operator has received a certificate for successful completion of either of the following:
• A boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA);
• A proficiency examination approved by the Ohio Division of Watercraft.
No person under 12 years of age shall operate any vessel unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older. This section does not apply to personal watercraft or other powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower (see following paragraph).
No person under 12 years of age shall operate powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft (excludes PWC operation). In the case of a supervising person born on or after January 1, 1982, the supervising person must hold a certificate meeting the requirements of ORC 1547.05 and in the case of rented powercraft, must meet the requirement of ORC 1547.052

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/opsguide/ohoplaws.htm

rod bender bob

[ohiofinlander]

Thanks for all of the reponses.I could not agree more with what Freebyrd said.A little common sense goes a long way.

[Far Beyond Driven]

My 10 year old nephew and my 13 year old niece both have been taught how to start and drive my Four Winns (260 Hp) and my 14' boat with a 15 Hp tiller. As I often fish with just the kids, if anything happens, I want them to be able to get the boat back at least into somewhere calm and safe.

They also know how to hail on the VHF as well.

FBD, Holland, MI