Maximum number of teenage boys on the boat

[arew~SX230]

My 15-1/2 yo son wants to bring his whole crew out on the boat. Given that I will be the only adult and the intellect of a teenage boy decreases by the power of 1/N where N= the number of teenage boys present. I think us plus 6 should be the max but he is pushing for 8. Had anyone here survived a day on the boat with that many boys?

 

[Neutron]

Be brave and go for it.
If i knew all the boys and they were respectful i wouldnt be worried

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Never all boys, but have had my 3 kids plus each of them brought a friend years back, so we had 6 kids plus my Wife and I on the boat. I always make sure that anyone on my boat wears a life jacket when swimming, do not want anyone to drown on my watch. That's just me and one of my rules that I am very strict on, even adults.

 

[2nazt]

It would depend on the attitude and respect they have. Along with their ability in the water. If a bunch are fooling around something could go wrong fast and require more than just you to intervene, or you could miss it all together. I would start with a small group and go from there. Maybe another parent could go so you aren't outnumbered and help keep you sane. Is it just to do a beach day, water sports etc also would change the answer.

 

[arew~SX230]

I had five of the crew on the boat with my wife and son last summer, They were as well behaved as hormone factories can be. Main concern is space and safety they will be swimming boarding etc. Most of them are pushing or over 6'. Good swimming skills are non-negotiable, you have them out your wearing a pfd at all times.

 

[Scuba_ref]

I take the young men from church out boating quite a bit...let's just say I had to have my seats redone this year!

 

[Evil Sports]

8 is pushing it but then again it all depends on the guys and their ability to follow directions. Whats cool is the ones that get it will be helpful to you and those are the ones to watch become a success later in life. I have witnessed this first hand with my son and his crew.

 

[Tobes]

First question I would ask my 16 year old is why the sausage party?

 

[Julian]

9 adults on a 23' boat is a lot....I agree with the start with 6 approach.....

 

[Beachbummer]

I'm in the It Depends crowd. If I know them to be well behaved and attentive, 8 should be tight but pleasant still. If one or two are not, and I know which ones they are, they are not coming! If I'm unsure 4 would be my max, you are brave at 6 in my book.

 

[Tobes]

Why not haul them all out and drop them off at a beach somewhere? Setup a pop-up with some chairs/bbq/cooler and just take out half of them each trip. Thats usually what we do. Considering I have the 190, I do not like more than 5 people on the boat when I am towing (and by 5, 2-3 adults the rest kids).

 

[eticket]

I have a 16YO boy and we regularly take his buddies out. I don't like more than 5 boys + myself. We could fit more but it gets tight since they can't sit still and they all want to get in the water and goof off and you have to keep an eye on all of them. Fortunately, my son and most of his friends are on the school swim team, so that helps with piece of mind but they still all wear PFD's when on a raft or wakeboard.

 

[tdonoughue]

I have done 8 boys. It is a lot. You can do it if you know them and/or you are good at handling kids that age (I have worked with those ages regularly since college). Plus, boys do tend to respect the captain. But if you are even asking, that tells me you are not sure. And the one thing teenagers can smell is if you are not sure.

Do the 6. If it works well, you can look to expand next time.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I would go for the start with a small group and then expand up to the larger group...of things go well. Here's a couple thoughts:
1). If you will be tuning/wakeboarding with that many, they each won't get a turn fast enough on the line-without boredom ensueing. If you only have yourself +5 more, each boy will get turns faster

2). If you're the only one who knows how to wakeboard, then driving + coaching will be nearly impossible. If you had another adult to be a responsible spotter/coach, that'd help reduce your stress throughout the day.

3). Notice who of the smaller group helps out and is polite. Push for those to come back. This likely won't be your sons first choice, but one can hope/dream.

4). Is make it a requirement that your son police the others and get them to help. Have him set the expectation that the boat is a lotta fun, but a lotta work...being able to help with the work helps ensure that you'll get to come out for more fun in the future.

5). At the end of the day. Be prepared to consume that entire half-rack of microbrew beer you bought. You'll need it.

 

[4x15mph]

Definitely a smaller group since you also have to remember the food you will need to make it a good time for 5 boys. I think you are doing everyone a favor by keeping it to a smaller group but go out multiple times. I also like the idea of dropping some off at the beach and alternating. That works well

 

[Speedling]

Just tell them to grow a pair and invite some girls. One girl for every boy or they take turns. See how it works out! Lol man that could be fun! Think of all these boys getting all scared to ask girls and such. Ok i am mean. But really, the boys will probably actbetter if they have a couple girls they like around! Of course, if you don't want your kids to date yet then you created a problem. My daughter will never ever go with someone on a boat for a date. Unless it's my boat with me being there as driver, and warden. No one come near my daughter.

 

[jawsf16]

I'm with @Speedling
Maximum number of teenage boys on my boat is ZERO!

 

[MNdrifter]

I've taken my daughter's soccer team out. Everyone meets at a public beach/park. I show up with the boat. 8 16yo girls at a time on the boat with me driving. Lots of laughing and screaming. No problems. Having the beach helps. All the food stays on land. 2 or 3 at a time were usually being pulled behind the boat so that makes more room inside.

 

[Cory]

I've done it. I put three or four on the tube at once and pound the snot out of them. After a couple of rounds on the tube they are all pretty subdued in the boat.

 

[arew~SX230]

Thanks for all the replies, some good ideas ands input! I'm think I'm gonna stick to my guns and limit it to 6 friends.

On the lack of girls, not sure what's going on there, maybe it has something to do with afluenza and extended adolecence, I'll leave that to the sociologists.

Leaving half of them on the beach unattended.....Visions of "Lord of the Flies"