Small Boats/Motors for Kids

[Weed Shark]

As a boy, I ruled the lake with an 1942 Evinrude 3 1/2 HP outboard; had to spin it 180 degrees for reverse. Sometimes I could see a wake. In the bow, my American Water Spaniels ears would flap in the wind...a bit.

Today, my "little" boys beg to drive an old 6 horse.

We want more kids to fish, but large engines are now the norm. Are kids today missing out on a valuable youthful experience?

[Hammer Handle]

When we used to camp by the lake as kids, we had to earn "rights".

First, only fish on shore. Then, boat and oars. Then, the 5 horse motor! Woo Hoo!

Big motors seem to be the norm now, and I don't understand why...especially on small lakes. The huge wakes eat shoreline away on small lakes. Someday, I hope they say no motor over 25 horse on small lakes.

I have a large motor now, but still only used a 6 horse on the small lake I like to fish the most.

[so haaad]

I was spoiled with an old Johnson 10 horse, although it was on the back of a heavy fiberglass "tank". I think things have changed for kids today. I think life is too complex and has left behind many of the simple things. To a certain extend, I feel bad for kids today.

[swedishpimple]

I started with a 6 hp. Evinrude with part of an Alum. Hockey stick for the shifter. At 8 I could pull over the 15 hp and used that. I still use the old 77 Evinrude 15 hp. Not sure what the deal is but the 8 year olds I see out there today would have a hard time starting an electric trolling motor.

We ran our motors on a variety of boats, an old Sears 12' and a 16' Herters glass boat and a 16' alum. Lund.

I think this weekend my buddies 8 year old will be using and electric motor. Oars may just confuse todays kids.

[fisherking01]

I grew up on a evinrude lightwin. I use similar ones today. I have a 9 year old son who can start, run, and dock a boat like second nature. He's been driving me trolling with the 5 hp sea king for four years. It reminds me of when I was a kid. On many lakes he is able to fish alone, and to take friends out. He is very responsible, and I truly trust him on the water more than many adults. He always wears his pfd and requires all passengers to do the same.

The way I see it, most kids don't get the pooprtunity simply because of the size of most motors now. I rarely use my Lund Predator with a 60, and opt for the 14 footer with the 5 hp. I also have several other small motors that we occasionally use.

I truly get more out of his successes on the water than my own.

[sparcebag]

I used a old wooden boat with oars,till I was 10 then I could use the 16'crestliner with a 15 evenrude,when I was younger I could run the motor while my dad was in the boat,But at 10yrs. old I was king of the water,takin out my younger bro! Now I guess I'm yet a kid my favorite boat is my 14' w/7.5 HP.johnson and I still row the boat,sometimes it now has a 30# elec.

[deja vu]

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As a boy, I ruled the lake with an 1942 Evinrude 3 1/2 HP outboard; had to spin it 180 degrees for reverse. Sometimes I could see a wake. In the bow, my American Water Spaniels ears would flap in the wind...a bit.

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I hear ya...

My starter motor was a 2.5 hp 1938 Johnson Sea Horse twin... I've been told it was the first outboard with an auto rewind starter. It was mounted on my mom's Dunphy cedar strip-built boat. Even had a fore deck that I could crawl under during a hailstorm. Standard equipment was three oars, two anchors and lines, and two or more life preservers. I learned to swim at about 6 years old... as soon as I could pull that rewind starter I was off fishing or exploring almost every day.

Today, my favorite rig is an old 15' Grumman Sportcanoe with a 2 hp Honda 4-stroke... still carry oars, paddle, two anchors, and multiple life preservers.

I think kids should learn how to use a sail and oars, before they start using an outboard motor. Raised two that way...

[jtroop]

That was a magic day when Grampa let me put the '59 Evinrude Lightwin on the row boat. I still have that motor and it still runs great. Drivin' the boat and catchin' fish - great memories.

[Rozman]

Great topic!!!!! I split my time on the water between my pelican canoe and my 14 ft alum. lund w/15 hp johnson. Love fishing and shooting mallards out of my canoe!!

[Weed Shark]

Too many households don't fish. Too many have only big boats. Kids only go along for the ride. They should be repairing sheared pins, dashing in from storms, figuring things out on their own; a requirment to growing up. Man...I was lucky!

[deja vu]

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...dashing in from storms, figuring things out on their own; a requirment to growing up. Man...I was lucky!

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Nothing worse than being overtaken by an afternoon squall... sitting hunched up by your little motor, still a quarter mile from shore, and suddenly overwhelmed by thunder, lightning and heavy rain.

If you survive the first time, you learn to watch the weather closely for the rest of your life!