,

Sad to hear, prayers sent for all involved.

I heard the children where driving the boats, even if its hear say, its still a bad thing. Prayers sent.

Whats the different between renting and buying a boat? You can walk into any boat dealership and buy a boat. Im not trying to bash you, but its amazing this doesnt happen more often.

That's terrible. Prayers sent and I hope the 10 year old makes it.

Don't worry, I get bashed a lot.

The difference between renting a boat and buying a boat is ownership, obviously. If you walk in and buy a boat, I'd hope (probably wrong - not the first time) that you'd have a little more invested in it, mentally, than if you just went and rented one. Not right, but it's human nature.
I agree it's amazing that it doesn't happen more often.

I've watched at the Just for Fun rented out one of their pontoon boats on Grapevine. One guy with a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids) had the boat under way from the rental building, heading down the docks as he was instructing them on how to operate the boat. Then he jumps back on to the docks at the end of the dock. That was their entire instruction period on how to operate a boat. You think those folks are safe?
They also rent jet skis and a lot of new users to a jet ski don't realize that you can't turn if you don't have some down on the throttle. Jet propelled.

Boats don't have breaks and can't come to a screeching hault. It takes boat operators a little on the learning curve. I, personally, just think that learning curve takes a little longer than it does to swipe a credit card.

And at that point, they still haven't made the mental leap of being responsible for that piece of equipment. My opinions only. Take them for what they're worth....zilch.


By the way, I changed the name in my original post...I was mistaken on the company name and didn't want Fun n Sun boats to come up for this incident.

There should be a license required for everyone who operates a boat. These horrible incidents might happen less. It might put a dent in the pockets of those who rent and sell boats, but it would be worth it saving the cost of lives.

When I got my boat even though it wasn't required I went online and got my Boater Education Certificate. It took maybe an hour. It gives me more confidence on what to do on the water. Now, as for the other people, it seems no one knows the rules on the water, but at least I do! Sometimes though, you can�t fix stupid.

Ok, I know the diffence between renting and buying, thats not what I was getting at......

To answer your question in two ways....

1 - it doesn't make any difference. Idiots are idiots and accidents happen to everyone. In that regard, doesn't matter.

2 - Between renting and buying there is an emotional connection to a purchase vs one that is rented. Ownership, generally speaking, creates a tendency for one to care about his/her purchase moreso than if they rent.

Or maybe I'm just confused. That's a constant state for me.

Prayer sent to the Family, especially all the children involved. Sad news right there.

AGREE 100%. Takes away most of the stupid factor. How many people who rent would take the time to take a boater licensing/safety course? No license/no boat. To simple!!! Sorry about the kids but it's no different than leaving your child in a locked car in 100 degree heat. Incompetence.

Requiring a license will not stop stupidity!!! Look how at all the idiot drivers out there now with a license. The only thing a license does is give more of my money to the Government.

You have to be a completed idoit to hit another boat in wide open water on plane. Let mother nature take care of idoits. She can be awfully cruel sometimes.