Rigging up a "Kids" Fishing Boat

[leechlake]

I grew up fishing in a 14 foot boat with a 9.9 horse. I think I was about 11 when my dad let me go out solo on the small lake our cabin was one then. Those were the days, I had more fun finally being able to go out when I wanted, fish like a kid, and just learn by trial and error.

My son is 13 and he's pretty much only fished with me in our big boat. We also have a 16 foot lund fishing boat (SSV 16, no live well, just seats going across from gun well to gun well)with a 25 hp electric start with transom trolling motor. He wants to do some fishing without dad this year and I was wondering if anyone has some good or unique ideas on how to rig it up. Obviously it's good enough "as is" but wanted to make a fun project for both of us.

It has a few pieces of plywood cut up front to make the floor flat and we use a couple sand bags to keep the bow down when in the boat solo.

We were going to build a live well with a cooler and aerator/pump together and I like to keep a spare battery in it all the time. We'd need a kid friendly depth finder of some sort.

Our place is on a 2000 acre lake and we primarily fish walleyes and perch. Spring fishing is fishing shoreline drop offs and Summer is mid lake smallish humps and rocks.

With the info above anyone have any thoughts on putting a kids boat together. I'm hoping he'll guide me from time to time and I can keep my mouth shut and not tell him what to do.

[ccarlson]

Excellent post. Your first paragraph says it all. Things like fishing and snowmobiling etc. have gotten so "bigger is better" that most people don't have the basic stuff to let their kid just be a kid and learn. Let the kid take out MY big boat? No way, isn't it good enough that I take him when I go and put them on all the fish? No wonder they get bored. And we wonder why less kids are getting involved in the outdoors?

Anyway, I really like your idea. My suggestion would be to leave the boat as is and let him come up with the idea for what needs to be fixed or added to. Just like you, when I was a kid I got to spend every day of the summer on the water by myself or with someone my own age (I grew up on a small resort). I remember begging my dad to let me add a front casting deck and front trolling motor to a 14 foot bench seat boat. Eventually he said yes and I saved up and bought the plywood and made a bracket etc. It was the satisfaction of figuring out what I wanted, working to pay for it and convincing my dad why we needed it that I now know was the great part.

Good luck.

ccarlson

[leechlake]

Ccarlson,

thanks, I think I outfoxed myself with the right intention and I agree that he should come up with what he wants in the boat. That's my whole point, like you mentioned for him to learn and have fun without dad getting in his way.

[Brian-Mn]

Rock & Roll baby!!

Every kid has the same thing on their minds when they are 16.

Cars (motors)

Sports

Music

Girls

The girls will find him fast enough. The passion for the outdoors maybe a substitute for sports. The boat will replace the need for speed for a while. Let him know he can set the boat up with speakers, stereo and a jack for his MP3 player.

I think this is a great project for him and you to do. Just make sure he understands all the safety issues with running a boat. Many people (adults included) think just because they can drive a car that a boat will be no problem.

My last suggestion might be to get him a inflatable life jacket. When you are 16 it's all about "being cool" and those orange life jackets won't do it for him.