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Eben, I have been on sailboats maybe 5 times in my life, so I can't claim any technical knowledge. I'll assume that at 16, you and likwid had the technical sailing skills to handle most situations.
That you "could" have done it at 16 is not the same thing as saying it would have been a good idea. That's where parents are supposed to step in, because the extra wisdom and experience that parents are supposed to have, enables them to differentiate between what's possible, and what's advisable.
I have a 15 year-old. I could kick her out of the house, and she could get a job somewhere and make enough to pay her rent and buy food. And even though there are times when I'm sure that idea is appealing to her (every time I say "no"), I wouldn't let her do it. It would not be in her best interests, it would not improve her chances of having a fulfilling future. She may not agree with that, but I know it for a fact. I know that, and she doesn't, because I'm more mature and more experienced than she is.
Finally, how long does it take to sail around the world solo? A few months? I'd question the saity of any parent who could be without their 16 year-old for that long, under any circumstances.
This is all just my $0.02 obviously. Maybe reasonable people can disagree, but I don't see it. I can usually see both sides of any issue, but not here. Rarely do I see things as obviously right or wrong, but this is to me.
Anyway, you do know how to disagree respectfully, and that's rare. And I envy your vast marine experience, I'm pretty new to all this.
God Bless.
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