Poll: How Young? vs Freedom?

[Pelagic]

The youngest solo sailor debate has been discussed for a while and seems to fall into 2 main camps which are:

1/…. Help your child to realize their dream and decide for yourself if and when they are ready.

2/.… Parents may not be objective enough so Society needs to step in to set rules to protect that child from potentially life threatening unchaperoned exposure.

• We have heard from very experienced sailing parents who would set limits.
• We have heard from very supportive sailors who value individual rights and freedom to choose above all else.

So let’s do a representative poll to see where it all adds up and where the majority feel we should…(If Any!)… set age limits for a Solo Circumnavigation:

[s/v 'Faith']

Ummm....

I dont see the poll?

Maybe you just want replies?

I, for one, am glad no one gets to vote to to determine if I get to go sailing or not.

[s/v 'Faith']

Pelagic,

Belay my last...

Saw the poll and voted. Not sure why it did not load the first time.

[Pelagic]

Strange...when I submited poll it came up..I voted ...now i don't see it.

My poll has your feelings in it as well.

[GeoPowers]

Ha! You read my mind...I was gonna post this same poll, but you already did. Thanks!

[Ex-Calif]

I've given my opiinions in the other threads that the parents can decide what activities their kids participate in. I don't want big government telling me what to do.

The issue is - who sanctions the record? They should be setting the rules for record breaking.

The other piece is that operating a boat around the world carries a legal and liability responsibility. I doubt that a 13 year old or a 14 year old can get insurance on a boat. I doubt that a 13 year old can be legally responsible to enter many foreign ports as the legally responsible and recognized skipper.

So I didn't vote - The vote I would cast is for the Skipper to be of legal majority in all ports and countries visited.

Otherwise someone is helping. Helping with logisitics, helping with port clearances, providing a registered boat (as a 13 year old is not likely the registered owner) and meeting and greeting the sailor at ports-of-call to handle immigration.

When you do this, in my opinion, it is not record making. It is doing kiddie stunts.

So, I think the choice of 18, above should be "Legal Majority in all planned ports of call"

(Any of the mods can modify the poll if you need to Pelagic)

[MarkJ]

I think the age choices should go down further as I don't believe those voting for 'any age' would vote for a 6 year old to circumnavigate the world.




Age 18… Minimum departure Age

Age 16… Minimum departure Age

Age 14… Minimum departure Age
Age 12… Minimum departure Age
Age 10… Minimum departure Age
Age 8… Minimum departure Age
Age 6… Minimum departure Age

[Pelagic]

Hi Dan,

Not sure Insurance is a legal requirement for a non-stop circumnavigation and if they had to pull in for repairs in a Force Majeure, scenario, they would not be denied

Also, immigration and port authorities could care less about age… they are only concerned with valid personal and vessel documentation. (Whether they allowed them to depart port…is another matter)

It seems to me “world opinion and the media” have become the sanctioning body in this debate.. understand your qualifications but why not at least take a position and vote.

Otherwise...Seems to me you are letting big Insurance companies and port regulations (Gov) tell you what to do

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think the age choices should go down further as I don't believe those voting for 'any age' would vote for a 6 year old to circumnavigate the world.

Age 18… Minimum departure Age

Age 16… Minimum departure Age

Age 14… Minimum departure Age
Age 12… Minimum departure Age
Age 10… Minimum departure Age
Age 8… Minimum departure Age
Age 6… Minimum departure Age

You're right Mark.. maybe a Mod could add some more ages

[HobieFan]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think the age choices should go down further as I don't believe those voting for 'any age' would vote for a 6 year old to circumnavigate the world.




Age 18… Minimum departure Age

Age 16… Minimum departure Age

Age 14… Minimum departure Age
Age 12… Minimum departure Age
Age 10… Minimum departure Age
Age 8… Minimum departure Age
Age 6… Minimum departure Age

I think the important part of the "any age" answer was the "with the approval of parents"

Presumably, the parents are responsible for their kids. Presumably, they have weighed the options. Hopefully they have weighed the risks. I don't know that I like the precedent set by picking minimum ages for everything.

The biggest issue for me is personal liability. What if the hypothetical 13 year old skipper t-bones my new boat?

But then again, what if the lazy douche next to me in the anchorage drags my boat into the rocks with his dinghy sized danforth?

meh.

Keep the government out of it, I say.

[amytom]

Personally I don't want the government telling parents how to raise their child. On the other hand, parents need to make smarter choices for their kids.

Smaller government and smarter parents; we're not likely to see either anytime soon.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by HobieFan

Presumably, the parents are responsible for their kids. .

Originally Posted by amytom

Personally I don't want the government telling parents how to raise their child. On the other hand, parents need to make smarter choices for their kids.
.

So you would both allow an 8 year old?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

So you would both allow an 8 year old?

As a parent I personally wouldn't but I would not presume to tell to another another parent what they should do (I would offer an opinion if asked).

[amytom]

Originally Posted by Wotname

As a parent I personally wouldn't but I would not presume to tell to another another parent what they should do (I would offer an opinion if asked).

And quietly shake my head if I wasn't asked.

[Lodesman]

You assume all parents have their children's best interests in mind - that is not always the case. Some children need to be protected from their parents; that's why we have certain laws.

The poll doesn't offer an option for "age of majority". That varies with the country, so that would be my choice; I've chosen 18 yrs in lieu.

I assume this poll refers to a solo around the world trip - it doesn't state it, but considering the context...