boater's safety for MN kids

My 12yo son is starting the online course to receive the youth Minnesota watercraft operator’s permit. I just thought I’d check in with other parents to see if they had any advice on this process or other good resources to look into besides the required stuff from the state of MN.

My son is still a few years away from tooling around the lake with his friends or by himself, but I think it’s a good time to get him more acquainted with the process of operating the boat safely. And if something were to happen to me on the water, he’s mature enough now where I can count on him to take control of the boat and get me to safety.

Selfishly, I’m looking forward to having someone else who can chip in on captain’s duty because I’m getting tired of watching him reel in all the fish

I don’t have kids but I remember doing this myself around his age and found the state resources (safety handbook, etc) to be adequate. It’s good for the safety regulations conception, knowing right of way, etc but there’s no substitute for hands-on learning in the boat. Cheers on getting a designated driver!

I took it when I was a kid. Back then you had to send out for a paper book, take the test, and send it back in. Everything you need to pass was included in the reading. I think it was good for me and plan on having my son do it when he is older. It might even be a good refresher for you to read along with him.

I never took a course or even knew one existed. My grandparents just slowly let me handle the little 14ft fishing boat up at the cabin.

I will be interested in the topic soon enough though. My son is 7 and on the water with me all the time.

I agree the stuff in the handbook is all that’s really needed. If he can retain 75% of it he’ll be light-years ahead of most goons on the lake

A couple tips to remember for him.

An easy way to remember port/starboard sides and colors: the short words go together and the long words go together.

Port-Left-Red

Starboard-Right-Green

For rules of the road, it’s easy to remember that RED is like a stop sign to you (Port-Left side of another boat). You are the give-way vessel, and need to change course and or/speed to avoid collision.

If you see the GREEN side of another boat (Starboard-Right) you have a “green light,” and are the stand-on vessel. You are to maintain current course and speed.

I like to start em early, my genes have alot of heart issues from both sides, never know when I’ll tip over. Pretty confident they can get back to the landing if I do.

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Once he’s done, give him as much time behind the wheel as you can while you are in the boat with him. Just like in the car, you want them him to encounter as many situations that you can coach him threw as possible before he is on his own. Pulling up to docks is really good experience to get in many different situations.

If you trailer like I do, I got to the point where I can back either of my kids into the lake and they can back away from the landing while I go park, then they can pick me up at the dock. Seems simple but really helpful and great experience for them.

Deuces wrote:

I like to start em early, my genes have alot of heart issues from both sides, never know when I’ll tip over. Pretty confident they can get back to the landing if I do.

I started mine early as well. He can also run my 25 hp tiller. Not quite the 60 yet.

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fishingchallenged wrote:

If you trailer like I do, I got to the point where I can back either of my kids into the lake and they can back away from the landing while I go park, then they can pick me up at the dock. Seems simple but really helpful and great experience for them.

Let’s be honest, this is what I’m really hoping for…

Agreed with the state process being good. I took it first chance I could get since it meant I could use the jetski without my older brother on it too. Make sure you save a copy of the certification as the state doesn’t track (or at least have record from back in my day) it and it’s not listed on your DL like a firearms endorsement is.

BigWerm wrote:

Agreed with the state process being good. I took it first chance I could get since it meant I could use the jetski without my older brother on it too. Make sure you save a copy of the certification as the state doesn’t track (or at least have record from back in my day) it and it’s not listed on your DL like a firearms endorsement is.

Thanks for that tip bigwerm.

Little man got his first tiller time tonight and did great. I got to stretch my legs and explore a previously unknown area of the boat known as the “bow.”

How is this “bow” tangler, I’ve heard of it, but I don’t recall if I’ve ever been in one…..

Deuces wrote:

How is this “bow” tangler, I’ve heard of it, but I don’t recall if I’ve ever been in one…..

Smells like kid farts up there, do not recommend.

Best boating advice I ever received, “never approach something faster than you’re prepared to hit it.”

BigWerm wrote:

I took it first chance I could get since it meant I could use the jetski without my older brother on it too.

I wouldn’t have wanted to ride with your brother, either.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
I took it first chance I could get since it meant I could use the jetski without my older brother on it too.

I wouldn’t have wanted to ride with your brother, either.

Fun game of launch little brother off the back until he quits!

I haven’t had a copy of my Boat Safety certificate since I turned 18 I don’t think. However, it does save you some money on Boat Insurance, and since I’m in the market for a new boat I figured I see how difficult it is to get a copy…turns out it’s super easy, kudos to the MN DNR! I called them at 651-296-6157 option 6 and they updated my address from my childhood home to my current one and said I’d have it in a week or two. Thought this might be helpful for some of you…

B-man wrote:

For rules of the road, it’s easy to remember that RED is like a stop sign to you (Port-Left side of another boat). You are the give-way vessel, and need to change course and or/speed to avoid collision.

If you see the GREEN side of another boat (Starboard-Right) you have a “green light,” and are the stand-on vessel. You are to maintain current course and speed.

If only the dip$hits trolling knew anything about this…