Ron J
Active member
On Sat. or Sunday, the last weekend of June, i had the middle grandson, Max over for the day. We had taken a ride on the Pontoon around the river,and had just returned. While still on the float, Max asked if he could try to row a boat. I was a little beat, and didn't feel like getting the row boat from the yard, and trying to teach Max to row. So i promised Max, during my annual 4th of July gathering, i would teach him.I also told him,if he learned to row, he could have the Dory to keep.He was surprised and now anxious,and replied "Okay!" 
(I had planned my cookout,for Sat.the 5th.) During the cookout,when thinks got settled, friends, relatives were fed, and relaxing, the kids had been swimming etc.,[attachment 99189 DSC04957.jpg]the tide was right,i slid the "Andrea Dory" (as it is named from the factory!) into the water.I had Max and Nic put on the life preservers, regardless that they know how to swim. I held the line taunt, and had Nic board, then had Max get seated properly,facing the stern. I gave him instructions on pulling the oars from under the seat,and insert the oarlocks into the mounts on the gunnel's.This was fairly easy,because this pair of oars has round oar locks,with plastic sleeves to stop the oars from sliding into the water,if you let go, otherwise you would get a fast lesson in paddling with one oar to chase the drifting oar! That's if you didn't drop both at once,then i guess you could use your hands, or swim after them! Once Max was sitting with oars in hand, and Nic waiting patiently, i gave him a couple of verbal instructions,and shoved the Dory from the float! Max, being only 7, was a little surprised i did that! I told him, this is how you learn! " Put the blades in the water! Pull! Lift! Push back! Dip/Pull/Lift! and repeat.." [attachment 99190 DSC04988.jpg] He floundered a bit, but with every stroke,started to get the hang of it. Max was a few hundred feet from the float now, doing pretty good. I returned to my barbecue,but with eyes on him constantly,but didn't let them know. Some of my friends, mostly the women, were yakking, "you let them out there alone? What if they go out to Sea?" I informed them, where are they going, except into the marsh grass or Treasure Island? I only have 3 motorized boats at the dock,whats the big deal? Wendy, my daughter,Max and Nics mom, was calm,and respected my decision.
(i learned the same way,when i was 5 or 6) Max was doing well,and managed to return to the float, and dropped Nic off. He promptly shoved off, and had his Freedom, his first solo voyage! 
[attachment 99191 DSC05000.jpg][attachment 99192 DSC05003Large.jpg][attachment 99193 DSC05026.jpg] Is this a happy kid or what? 
I doubt Max will ever forget this day...now to teach his older brother James, to use the little outboard by himself..... Rj
(I had planned my cookout,for Sat.the 5th.) During the cookout,when thinks got settled, friends, relatives were fed, and relaxing, the kids had been swimming etc.,[attachment 99189 DSC04957.jpg]the tide was right,i slid the "Andrea Dory" (as it is named from the factory!) into the water.I had Max and Nic put on the life preservers, regardless that they know how to swim. I held the line taunt, and had Nic board, then had Max get seated properly,facing the stern. I gave him instructions on pulling the oars from under the seat,and insert the oarlocks into the mounts on the gunnel's.This was fairly easy,because this pair of oars has round oar locks,with plastic sleeves to stop the oars from sliding into the water,if you let go, otherwise you would get a fast lesson in paddling with one oar to chase the drifting oar! That's if you didn't drop both at once,then i guess you could use your hands, or swim after them! Once Max was sitting with oars in hand, and Nic waiting patiently, i gave him a couple of verbal instructions,and shoved the Dory from the float! Max, being only 7, was a little surprised i did that! I told him, this is how you learn! " Put the blades in the water! Pull! Lift! Push back! Dip/Pull/Lift! and repeat.." [attachment 99190 DSC04988.jpg] He floundered a bit, but with every stroke,started to get the hang of it. Max was a few hundred feet from the float now, doing pretty good. I returned to my barbecue,but with eyes on him constantly,but didn't let them know. Some of my friends, mostly the women, were yakking, "you let them out there alone? What if they go out to Sea?" I informed them, where are they going, except into the marsh grass or Treasure Island? I only have 3 motorized boats at the dock,whats the big deal? Wendy, my daughter,Max and Nics mom, was calm,and respected my decision. (i learned the same way,when i was 5 or 6) Max was doing well,and managed to return to the float, and dropped Nic off. He promptly shoved off, and had his Freedom, his first solo voyage! [attachment 99191 DSC05000.jpg][attachment 99192 DSC05003Large.jpg][attachment 99193 DSC05026.jpg] Is this a happy kid or what? I doubt Max will ever forget this day...now to teach his older brother James, to use the little outboard by himself..... Rj
