Thread: What do you think?

I've had thoughts for years that to own a boat you have to take a common sense test ( and pass) before being allowed on the water. Today I and a friend witnessed a Oh! no that tops them all. we had been fishing for nearly 5 hrs with little success and decided with the winds to pack it in. Arriving at the ramp I dropped off my buddy to go get the pick-up and trailer while I loaded the boat. We had watched for several hrs a Dad, Mom, Daughter and Granddaughter( 1 yr who had no PFD on) in our area. The dad backed the trailer in while the daughter held the boat at the dock. Then dad came over ,got in the boat and drove it up on the trailer while grandma held the baby on the bank (only thing done rite) Next move was pull the truck and trailer with boat up. Daughter gets in truck and hollers, Which pedal is the Clutch. I'm thinking I'm about to witness the big one. Just had to share. What do you think. Yes I hate red tape but what's the answer? Tenncrappie

I've seen it all and done some of it. My Brother sank my truck and trailer years ago by not making sure the truck was in park then walking back to the back of the truck, waiting for me to load my 19' Skeeter. It's a sick feeling watching your truck sink under your boat! Almost as bad as almost ramming the bow thru the back windshield while trying to push the truck back up the ramp.

I've seen way too many folks write a check for a boat but have absolutely zero idea how to use a boat ramp or how to operate the boat. Knew of a situation years ago where a guy joined a bass club, bought a new bass boat after never operating a boat of any kind, then he and his partner were thrown out of it when the guy didn't know what a kill-switch was for. Guy's partner was ran over by the prop and spent almost a year in a hospital.

No, I think the government has too much over-reach already. If a kid wants a drivers license, they have to practice then take a test. Boat dealers should care enough to give a buyer some sort of instruction. Most just hand them the keys then let the rest of us deal with them.