Would you....

[Jason B]

Would you let your 16-17 y/o son and his buddy take your BRAND NEW Tahoe, very new X-2 (not sure how old but still had stock stickers on tower and they didn't know how to use the stereo) and most importantly your daughter-his much younger sibling- and her friend?

This was on Lake Geneva where money is no object for most people out threre and apparantly, while they didn't live on the lake, they had plenty of money. To be fair, they popped the boat in/out pretty well, seemed to be nice young kids from my limited conversation, and they were pretty decent boarders so they had to have some decent time on a boat.

My head was swimming though- that's a HUGE chunk of change to turn 2 young boys loose in. I think I might maybe possibly could let them use the "things" since those can be replaced, but I would NEVER let them take my daughter or any of her friends without me or another adult I trusted.
I was a teenage boy once (a long time ago) and I know if I wasn't thinking about poonanny I was thinking about what kind of trouble I could get into.

Would you let your kids rolll out with that much of your hard earned equity?? How about your younger daughter/son? Am I being a fuddy-duddy?

[G-MONEY]

no freaking way

[da.bell]

Nope, my kids are never going to take my boat. Too much to lose.

First you could lose the boat
Then the child
Then your house/cars/wife/....

Damn attorneys!!!!!

[Jason B]

Nope, my kids are never going to take my boat. Too much to lose.

First you could lose the boat
Then the child
Then your house/cars/wife/....

Damn attorneys!!!!!

Well...if I could lose the wife???? Is it too late to change my opinion?

[dtown]

Fuddy-Duddy

It all depends on the kid. My parents let me borrow there nice 20' IO and Ford 350 PowerStroke all the time starting at 17. I took that same boat and truck to LakePowell with 25 of my college friends on a week houseboat trip at age 21. My dad trusted me more with his boat/truck than he still does my mom. It all depends on the maturity, responsibility, value of life, & value of $ levels of the teen. I was not a rich kid. My parents were very middle class. It was a huge chunk of my parents equity that they watched me drive down the road... and I knew that. My parents didn't spoil me monitarily, but spoiled the hell out of me with opportunities, responsibility, and experiences. I hope my kids grow up the same way and I can give them those same opportunities.

[SPBFAN]

Damn attorneys!!!!!

Hey now I am going to be living with one soon. But I do have to agree. It is amazing at the things that have changes since she has been in law school. All for the better.

As for letting my teenager take the boat out no way. He does not want me around to learn how to drive. That tells me he will be out of control. So he will not touch the boat or wave runners with his friends by him self. Mom and dad will always be around.

[dtown]

I hope ragboy chimes in. I'll be interested to hear what he says. He has incredible kids "crew".

My guess is that in another few years, he'd trust his kids... say on a week day if he got too tied up with work to go to the lake.

[Timmy!]

My first reaction is No Way but then I have to think about when I was that age and the things my dad trusted me with and how responsible I actually was with them. I guess it depends on the kids involved and how trustworthy they are.

[eks]

I remember when I was a teen, NO WAY!

Our boat is for our family and family goes together. Friends can join on family outings.

[da.bell]

Well...if I could lose the wife???? Is it too late to change my opinion?

No, reason for attorney's

[da.bell]

Hey now I am going to be living with one soon. But I do have to agree. It is amazing at the things that have changes since she has been in law school. All for the better.

As for letting my teenager take the boat out no way. He does not want me around to learn how to drive. That tells me he will be out of control. So he will not touch the boat or wave runners with his friends by him self. Mom and dad will always be around.

She isn't one yet and that is why I like her. j/k

Not all attorney's are bad... Just the ones that work with your ex-wife or try and get money from you.

But again, there are too many attorney's here in CA...

[Original Wing Nut]

Call me crazy, but I have let my son have free pass to use when wanted at 17. He had to pass the dad backing test before he was able to get his license. I have made sure that I am comfortable with my family in operating the boat with out me. My daughter 17 went through the launch and retrieve test with me this last week end. There is a rule that when he went no one else is to drive except one friend whoes dad has a BU. I gues it comes down to comfort level with your kids and their friends. I have nice things and have been very blessed in my life and figure it is so I can share with others especially my kids. I was able to take my dads boat at 16, so I guess it's how you were raised. My wife is not as comfortable with this as I. I have gone along to drive the boat if I could, but why should the kids be at home not having fun if I am at work. I have not had reason to not trust the kids to this point.

Another ? is would you let a friend borrow your boat? I haven't but a friend of mine let me take his BU before I had my Tige'.

[Original Wing Nut]

My first reaction is No Way but then I have to think about when I was that age and the things my dad trusted me with and how responsible I actually was with them. I guess it depends on the kids involved and how trustworthy they are.

I look at when I was a teenager, my dad was very patient with me. I wrecked/rolled my brothers jeep twice while he was gone for two years. I had to repair/replace what the insurance didn't cover. if we don't trust our kids, who will and how will they become trustworthy?

[loudelectronics]

It all depends on how well the kids are raised. If you did a good job, shouldnt have to worry. If they have no respect for things then probably not.

If the kid is driving this unit fine with out running over curbs and backing in with no issues then he probably knows whats going on and been around it for a while.

FOr me, I would let the kids take it out if they wanted to learn how to drive it. I say it is better to start them off young because I know way to many people with to much money buying things with to much power just because they can. Guess what, these are the same people that end up in the hospital, destroying there toy and possibly hurting someone in the process. These are the same people that are tubing in the calm areas of the lake when the rest of the lake is perfectly fine to tube on. Kids tend to be more tentative with things they are not comfortable with. Older people have a false sense of security or confidence when they shouldn't.

[Jason B]

...Another ? is would you let a friend borrow your boat? I haven't but a friend of mine let me take his BU before I had my Tige'.

That would be a solid HELL NO!! I told them last night to pick up a 12 pack pf CANS and a bag of ice. They know very well Doritos,Cheetos,nachos, food period, is not allowed. What do the idiots show up with? A 12 pack of bottles, no ice and freaking bag of BBQ chips. Nope, won't be lending my boat.