[Akriti]

Three men sitting in a small motorboat one mile from the shoreline. The first is afraid of water the second afraid of drowning and the third afraid of sharks. The boats motor is not operational and there is nothing to row with. How do they get to the shoreline.

[Guest]

They walked till the shore line... They are in a boat on the land...

Spoiler for answer

[Wilson]

Drop the anchor and wait for the tide to go out?

[Guest]

... drift to shore on the tide.

But I think TheKing has the right answer.

[Guest]

walk there

[Guest]

walking to shore coz they are on land and can not dare to go into water due to their respective fears.

[Guest]

Assuming they were in the water a mile from the shore, the first two should work together to throw the third into the water on the opposite side of the boat. The initial splash and his subsequent thrashing should generate enough waves to push them closer to the shore. If they are still not close enough, the one afraid of drowning can throw the one afraid of the water in, and hold his arm. Once the one afraid of water has drown, his arm can be used as an oar.

Edited November 30, 2010 by tamjap

[Guest]

Assuming we're talking about them actually being 1 mile offshore in the water, I'd just say they should suck it up and swim, it's only a mile. People who are afraid of heights can still climb ladders. If that isn't good enough, then they should just tow the boat along with them. This will help them all rationalize their fears--if a shark comes close they can jump back in the boat or if they get tired they can hang on.

[Guest]

The one who's afraid of drowning can be held up by the 2 who otherwise can't go in the water due to their fears, and paddle (even with their one free arm) until he/she pulls the boat to shore.

[Guest]

... Except throw the anchor out repeatedly and drag it back in.

Edited November 30, 2010 by mungbean

[Guest]

...walk. The puzzle did not say that our 3 boaters were in the water. Since none really like the water, it's a good bet that they are on solid land which is 1 mile from the shoreline.

It's quite simple. All they have to do is ....

[Guest]

Assuming they were in the water a mile from the shore, the first two should work together to throw the third into the water on the opposite side of the boat. The initial splash and his subsequent thrashing should generate enough waves to push them closer to the shore. If they are still not close enough, the one afraid of drowning can throw the one afraid of the water in, and hold his arm. Once the one afraid of water has drown, his arm can be used as an oar.

[Guest]

Get out of the boat and walk to the shoreline

[Guest]

Wlked to the shoreline... what would they be doing in the water if they wre all afraid in the first place!!! They were in the boat on the shore! This is a cute one!

[Akriti]

I never thought that I would get s many answers.Usually they get over very soon :P