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Early on I rowed around a lot and poled boats over the flats. I used the anchor when the wind started taking me offshore between rowing as best I could.
My Dads rule was that if I could start the motor cold by myself I could use it. It took time to develop enough strength from constantly trying. I would tie the Elgin 2-1/2 down to the transom, stand up on the rear seat and pull with my back and legs and flinging myself into the boat on each pull. I was amazed when I finally had enough strength to start it and proudly drive around.
Each larger motor was another round of strength building. A Evinrude 5-1/2 was the next challenge then a Elgin 7-1/2 then a whole bunch of different 7-1/2 u\including a Merc Mark7 that I still have 50 years later.
I had worked myself up to a Johnson 35 with pressure release by the 7th grade but I always brought along two or three friends because each of us was only good for 2 or 3 pulls.