Tige Rules

[ragboy]

I started that, because when my first daughter was going to turn 12, she kept saying, cool, I get to take off my vest. And I didn't like it. I wasn't sure she was ready. So I made up this rule, and of course, for the first time, I had to do it first. She was REALLY scared to do it, and had to work up to it. When she finally did it, it was a huge accomplishment for her, and it made me feel better, and more confident to let her remove her vest. My next kid was afraid the WHOLE year before. I think she even went a couple of months, being 12, wearing her vest before she could work up to it.

Its a rule that has served us well, and I couldn't change it if I wanted to. The older kids stand by it, and will force the younger ones to do it. It is really funny how it has become a memory and a right of passage.

WARNING: Make sure you do it first, and you show you kids where the gorrilla fins are on your boat, and show them the path that is well in front of the fins.

[Jason B]

I fell over the bow once, when I was about 12. It was on a tri hull, he was going about 10 mph, coming into shore. I was leaning over, to hook on bow line. I was wearing vest. Uncle driving, killed the motor immediately. The boat hit me on the head, and didn't pull me under, just kept hitting me in the head and pushing me forward. It was a bit scary, but nothing worse than a headache.



Maybe partially because of the story above, all of my kids, and any others must wear vests until they are 12. Then, when they are 12 they must perform a test. I go into a cove and anchor, then the kid must be able to swim from one side of the boat to the other, back and forth once underneath. If they can do that and they are 12+, they can then take off their vest while in the boat, and while recreational swimming around. They still always wear vests and helmets while boarding or surfing. I make them do that test, because it is scary, but not really hard. The biggest issue with water is panic, IMHO, and if they can go under back and forth, it shows me that can keep their wits about them while scared.

I have 3 kids that have done this, and 3 more to go. It has become a right of passage in our family. When my son RJ did it this summer, he was very anxious leading up to it. It was a big deal to him.

Good point about the panicking. That's kind of a cool tradition...something they'll giggle about when they have thier own kids and think back to it.

The law here says kids <12 MUST wear a PFD while underway. My kids hate it, they are borderline "Mer-people" though. They could probably swim the English Channel. Visitors/guests though---you just NEVER know

[ragboy]

My kids have been raised in the water, so sometimes it seems tough, but I think its a good rule.

[SPBFAN]

This thread has been dead to long.

[SPBFAN]

I beg to differ.

The bad thing is you are begging to differ with a person that can't respond right now. It may be a week or so before his health will let him or more. May end up being a month or so. He was in a bad Motor bike accident. So you will have to wait for a response from him.

[rcaroll]

I Love it. I am going to laminate this and keep a copy on the boat.

[jwanck11]

we fish on our boat.


Boating = fun.


Oh yeah, we tube more than any other activity too.



All of you that just had a twinge go through your nerves have to get a life... or at least some perspective on what is really important.

[malarson]

I think there should be rules for the dealer when you take your boat in for service too.

rule #1 don't work on my engine then put your greasy hands on the upholstery!

rule #2 if you're not sure you fixed the problem correctly, it's better to tell me now instead of when I get the boat in the water full of kids & inlaws.

[TJRiver]

You must live in Cali...they're always tryin' to make rules for the rest of us.

Seriously, how 'bout some good ole fashioned common courtesy and common sense. C'mon people, get with the program!

I agree w/ Dogbert. If you have to have that long a list of dos and dont's, what the hell is the point in having guests at all? Might as well just start taking on paying passengers.....

If your friends are that clueless, they probably belong at home and not on the water.

[SPBFAN]

I think these rules are more for fun and discussion than practicality. It is always fun to see everyones responses. Some people are this picky and some are much more relaxed. That is why we all own our own boats so we can make our own rules and don't have to follow someone Else's rules.