wally wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2009 at 5:18pm:

same answer as "how old is too old"

::)
Bravery is an interesting concept. I'd have gone with something else as I've always simply drawn the line at the ability to swim - age notwithstanding. They don't necessarily have to swim well, it's just one less thing that could cause panic at the worst possible time. Panic will always make matters worse.

I've toyed with the idea of taking my dad on and off but the man never did learn to swim. As his boats got smaller and smaller toward my target size, it was no surprise to me that his PFDs kept getting bigger and bigger. I've spent enough time in various boats with him to know he'd be a gunnel grabber and therefore I herby publicly declare him to be TOO OLD. Besides, he is really old and wouldn't remember it very long anyway.

Woulda coulda didn't - no regrets. (Yeah, like someone would have volunteered to look after mom for a week while we were out indulging ourselves.)