Re: [Paddlewise] Visibility

wanewman_at_uswest.net wrote:
> 
> One of the biggest problems with visability for kayakers is that our kayaks are
> very low in the water.  Even at short distances and moderate wave heights your
> boat will likely be invisible.  For that reason I think kayak color has little
> effect unless you are the subject of an air SAR.

I don't agree.  Color does make a difference.  Moreover, what is
important is not the height of your boat but rather the height of the
observer.  Someone at the helm of a 25 ft powerboat is high enough to
see your boat at quite a distance because the person is looking down
certainly several miles if your boat is bright enough.  Our kayaks do
tend to disappear from each other.  But even then are more visible than
the PaddleWise folklore, especially if brightly colored or the paddles
are moving and catching light or are in a high visibility color.

I have experimented with looking at kayaks from a power boat.  I
certainly could see them a more than mile at a minimum.  The same goes
for seeing kayaks from a larger vessel such as a ferry.  Again, you can
see a kayak for several miles from the wheelhouse.  BUT it has to be
brightly colored. And the point you make below.

> The simple approach
> is to tag the highest most visable parts of your gear with bright high vis
> colors.  Since your head is the highest point a bright hat is a big help.  The
> movement of your paddle blade is also fairly high off the water and catches
> peoples attention.  If you have a fiberglass paddle a shot of high visability
> paint is a great way to be seen as the brightly colored blades move up and
> down.

Absolutely.  Bright hat, bright PFD, bright color for your paddle or
paint its blade day-glo.

ralph diaz  


-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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