Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What kind of parents would let their 16 year old daughter sail around the world alone?

LOL - Amen

I have a 16 year old daughter now. I doubt she could navigate to the other side of the city lately. I find it remarkable that this young lady would have the stones to even try. Good for her.

and FWIW, I doubt the parents were "in it for the money". Funny how I didn't hear about their son doing it last year until just now.

Working on a ranch or signing up for the military at age 17 to defend your country isn't in the same realm as letting your child sail around the world to set a record and nothing more.

Kids and ourselves are in danger everyday when we get inside a car for a commute, but to send your child out alone on a venture like that is endangerment, pure and simple.

How old was she when she really started to learn how to sail? How old is a kid before they start learning and figuring stuff like that out? My son is 8 and he's a sponge on everything I expose him to, including boating, but his attention span is that of an 8 year old, not an adult.
Give him 8 years and he's probably where she was. In fairness, she might have 4 decent years of experience, with only 8 years of solid cognitive thought. That's not enough to be making a trip like that.

Sometimes I think the best thing I could do for my 14 year old's is to go drop them off for a month on a remote island and let them fend for themselves. Of course legally I can't do it, but damn kids these days sure have a learned helplessness.

She didn't make it? Try again...you miss 100% of the shots you never take. I bet this is not the last you'll hear of her.

then if its ok for her to go joy riding around the world, her parents should foot the bill for her rescue if her thrill seeking and record seeking vernture goes awry.

I am SO sick of vanity thrill mavens screwing up, and we have to foot the bill.

But sometimes you're just not ready to take the shot. When the consequences are potentially that high, is best to wait until you are fully ready, not take a shot at it now.

Fully agree with Mannlicher about the parents footing the rescue bill. There is no reason they shouldn't in this case.

You are assuming though that she wasn't ready. Mother nature can be a b!tch, and many adults who have prepared for a lifetime have had the same thing happen.

I also don't know how some of you know what her and her parents intentions are.

In answer to your original question. Parents that are extremely confident in their child's abilities.

I don't see the rescue anything more than what they do everyday.They rescue people just out for a sail to wherever and things go wrong. Just because she is 16 and alone this is a bad thing? I don't think so ,hooray for her. Most kids are too lazy to get off the couch. I think her trip is an inspiration for young people. Good on her ,go for it. The Sail Boat she is sailing cost quite a bunch of dollars so I think Dad and Mom is helping out a lot. Yes her brother had already done it.

Given she's only 16 I am assuming she isn't ready to sail the world by herself. Why not just wait two more years until 18? Two more years of sailing experience. A legal adult at that point, can choose to do it on her own. At 16, seems like it was at least partially based on the publicity it would get rather than just doing it for the accomplishment itself.

+1 frogman.

Lots of good reasons to let a 16 year old daughter do that.

Legally you can't? why not? as long as you are going for some kind of a record I guess it is OK...... sailboat alone, in the mountains alone, same same right? It is all about presentation.

If the parents pushed her, then I agree that's horrible. If however she was driven by this goal, and they supported her, I see nothing wrong with that.

I guess my viewpoint is different because I have a 15 y/o daughter that is an incredible kid. I could see how a girl with the same self motivation and skills could go after such a goal and succeed, or have a good shot at it weather permitting. Not to say I'd want my daughter to go after such a goal solo, but to say there are extraordinary kids out there, not all kids want to just sit on their buts and text their friends, hang out at the mall and expect everything to be done for them.

Not everyone that tries to break a record does so for fame and fortune. Many are driven by pushing themselves to be their best and rise above a challenge.

How many times did Steve Fossett try before he did the world in a balloon? Dream big-win big.

Personnally I agree its to much for a 16yr old but guess what, she's not my kid (or your kid for that matter) so its none of our business. I would hold her parents responsible for whatever happens though.

You are correct! It all depends on the maturity level of the 16 yr old. Can you just imagine the amount of confidence in herself that this will give her? Can you think of any better gift to give a young person. I'm betting she won't be a union worker boxing parts when she grows up.

Can you imagine the doors a successful trip would open? In and out of the sailing world.

If she has the ability (and apparently she has as this didn't happen 10 minutes from port), go for it.

I had far less ability at the things I was doing at 16, probably was doing things that were more dangerous, relative to my skill and maturity, at that age.

Who are we to judge? Likely, that kid is not your average 16 year old. We often ask the same question about folks turing out a 10 year old with a centerfire rifle during deer season or giving them the keys to a 400 CC four wheeler. Some kids can handle it, while most can not.

On a work project once, I watched a 7 year old run a back hoe amidst a crowd of people and vehicles for a full 8 hour day, and he never bumped a single being/item. If I had a job, I'd hire that kid in a minute. Don't see a second one in line though to take his place.

I'd bet that girl is a more accomplished sailor than most adult boat captains out there.

I also know that there are things I would let my boys do like that because I have taught them how to do it safely, and I trust their skills and judgment.

I don't know how that girls parents can be faulted. I've seen what some parents are willing to give a set of car keys to at age 16...