[Mark Anderson]

As the Fall weather is closing in we decided to take out the boat this past Sunday for it's final fill at the pump and strip out the small stuff to prepare for haulout and storage.I have been letting my 10 year old take the wheel every time we go out . He hasn't yet taken reversed out of the slip or docked until yesterday. We had just fueled up and he was taking us back to the slip and as we got closer I asked if he wanted me to take-over. He said,"Dad,I think I'm ready to do it myself"
I kept my fear inside and said "Ok ,just take it slow and turn when I tell you and whatever you do -Don't jam the throttle if you get into trouble!!!.We were on final approach ,he listened to everything I said and as we were about one third into the slip I quietly said "Ok just slip it ino a little reverse and we will stop.I said reverse now! Ok PUT THE BOAT INTO REVERSE NOW" as I was desperately trying to stop the boat by holding onto the dock.He said" you mean reverse NOW???"
Now 3/4 's into the slip and still driving forward I said " please give it some reverse NOW!!!. He wrestled with the stick and we stopped just 1 foot from the front of the slip! I remained calm and showed him what we would have wiped out on the dock . He gave out a nervous giggle but we survived the day-His first time docking-I'm so proud ( and thankful that he didn't knock off my pop-up docking light!!!)
These moments are special,
Mark Anderson

[ShabahZ280]

Yep, those kinds of moments definitely are special! I can remember the first time I did that too with my dad on our first boat, a 21ft Maxum. However, I actually made contact with the dock and put a few dings in the side of the boat above the rub rail... Coincidentally, when my dad traded up to a 270 Sundancer, he never let me drive it! That's when I bought my '91 SR 180 bowrider, and taught myself how to maneuever much better. Kept that one for 10yrs, then traded up to the Z250, and the rest is history!

You know, it is proven that kids who have parents that boat, almost always end up owning their own boats... Enjoy as much time as you can on the water together to get them prepped for their later years!

[Z 202]

Probably the reason I'll put off those dock rash gel coat repairs my hull could use. My son is 9 and he's been at the helm a couple of times so far. I'm sure he'll be inquiring about advancing soon...

My dad was a boater...