I’m 70, but I say "Pick an age you like and live it to the extent your body lets you!" My desire to have a zillion HP in a car is long gone, but to take a 15 to 40 HP boat out and trim it up, cut a few corners, and take a few waves at fun angles will never go away – been doing that since I was 12. I think most of us that grew up that way have developed a set of senses where you know from the feel of your boats what limits you cannot push them beyond. I see nothing wrong with taking a 12′ Runabout with 35 HP around water ski slalom course buoys – it’s fun! ….as long as you know what your’re doing and the limits of the boat. I have a 17′ inboard/outboard ski boat (1996) that will do 52 MPH – but that’s no fun – it’s like driving a couch around the lake, so give me a smaller, more maneuverable boat with a bit less, but respectable HP and I’m happy!
By the way, I still enjoy running my grandson’s 8′ Minimost hydroplane with 10 to 15 HP on it where you have to watch the angle you take every wave , …..and ….oh yeah…..at age 70,…… I can still usually get through that slalom course at 28 MPH – on a water ski! Been water skiing every year since I was 11, and I thank the Lord that I’m still in shape to do that!
One thing – Whenever I am out having fun in my boats – I NEVER do any fun cornering, etc anywhere near any other watercraft, beaches, docks, etc. We should all respect not subjecting others to a lot of waves, noise, fear, danger, or worry.
Dave
