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goboatingnow · 01-10-2009, 08:18

The current mania in sending kids off to do solo's is just crasy, There will be a death yet. it should stop or be stopped

**David M** · 01-10-2009, 08:37

Those that do not have a child have never felt the type of love and sense of protection they have for their child and probably are more likely to be okay with letting a teenager sail around the world alone. I'm not saying this is true in all cases, just more likely in most cases.

Bash · 01-10-2009, 08:43

...I would be disappointed in a child who had grown up so self-indulgent that they'd see the performance of one of these stunts as a worthy endeavor. I should counsel any son or daughter--my own children or the child of someone else--that they should first seek to contribute to society. Once they've succeeded in making the world a better place, then, and only then, is it time to circumnavigate.

One of my students spent the summer volunteering in a medical clinic in El Salvador. She dropped by during office hours yesterday to ask for my recommendation for med school. She wants to become an obstetrician, and spend part of every year in Central America helping out in free clinics.

These are the kids our society ought to celebrate. Not the ones in pink boats trying to get their names into record books.

imagine2frolic · 01-10-2009, 08:44

I don't believe you can put a number on it. I think it's case by case, and I haven't a clue how young that would be. The parent that would send a child out to their death for their own glory. I believe they exist, but that person is rare.

I have a son I would not send, and he's 36. I have a nephew at 8 that loves sailing, and even in snot, but I wouldn't send him either. I don't know enough about the record holder Mike, but obviously he was capable, and Zac at 17 had 17 years experience.

Zac's sister at 16 has 16 years experience, but sailing below the capes is a whole other story. The line needs to be drawn in the sand, so it can be adjusted case by case........i2f

**David M** · 01-10-2009, 09:32

If it wasn't for the parental ego gratification, I don't think it would happening at all. Its some parents way of having the equivalent of a child with an Olympic gold medal.

imagine2frolic · 01-10-2009, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

If it wasn't for the parental ego gratification, I don't think it would happening at all. Its some parents way of having the equivalent of a child with an Olympic gold medal.

I would have to agree with this most of the time. There are some kids out there that are just plain motivated without the push from the parents. These are the ones that get my BEST WISHES

.......i2f

Voyager510 · 01-10-2009, 09:39

This could be a loaded question. 18 years just to make it legal. If legality was not in the mix then younger would work. Can't wait to see the tally!

Solitude · 01-10-2009, 10:15

I think that in your teen years, you still think your immortal, and don't necessarily have the judgment skill necessary for the decisions.

If my children continue to follow this as a sport and, within the confines of an organized race, I would support it by the age of 18. (waiting for the mental and the physical strength)

I would never support it as a stunt. And If they planned to sail away for a couple years. they would need to finish university first!!!

**s/v Beth** · 01-10-2009, 14:42

I know that this statement is contrary to popular belief but
1. At 14 I could have gone.
2. I would have let my son or daughter go at that age- if they had been as bull-headed and independent as I was at 14.
I had already lived on my own for sometime by then.
In fact, all my parents could do after 13 was to advise me and love me for what I was. And I think I turned out OK.

barnakiel · 01-10-2009, 18:38

21+

Because I do not think it makes a lot of difference to the world at what age my kid sails around it, single handed or not.

I did it at 33+, and with a mate. Probably a bit to late (for sailing, not for mating).

;-)
barnie

MarkJ · 01-10-2009, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I did it at 33+, and with a mate. Probably a bit to late (for sailing, not for mating).

;-)
barnie

I would never do a non-stop circumnaviagtion with a mate..... the boat couldn't hold all that beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bill good · 01-10-2009, 19:16

After all that was posted about AIS it appears she has no transponder!!

bill

Artful Dodger · 02-10-2009, 01:38

The outcome would be a personal thing between teen and parents, then and only then would it be a good thing. I would think the parents support and knowledge of their young adult is the only grounds of which it would make it work. We can not really make a general view on this as each situation would be unique in its own.

Pelagic · 02-10-2009, 03:04

So how much of all of this should be attributed to media hype and a chance for greatness?

I remember in Auckland 2000 during the Americas Cup, meeting with Ellen Mac Arthur and her parents when she was being sponsored by Kingfisher for her first solo record.

Lots of Super yachts and billionaires / world media coverage and a slick advertising campaign that had her wired for sound as she climbed up to the masthead while giving a commentary to the large affluent crowd of all the “named” products and sponsors.

I was standing beside her parents (very simple down to earth people) chatting with them about what a circus this was becoming and I had that unmistakable feeling, they agreed that their darling daughter was caught up in something bigger than herself.

Later after the media show and the crowd had left, Ellen had that glazed look when her parents introduced me and I laughed and said:.. “you just gotta keep pinching yourself”

No question that Ellen was capable and decisive, but I worry about the younger trend, where less grounded sailors are pulled along and feel obligated to not disappoint.