Re: [Paddlewise] Visibility

Bill Leonhardt wrote:
> 
> At 04:49 PM 2/4/99 -0500,  Neil Somos wrote:
> >I've sometimes thought it might be fun to tie a Helium-filled
> >aluminized mylar balloon to a kayak provided it wasn't too windy.
> >
> >neal_at_bellhow.com
> 
> Last summer Ralph Diaz, Jack Gilman and I finished a swim support and
> gathered a few He balloons from the finish line and tied them to our boats.
>  At even a slow paddle, the ballons trailed behind just barely above the
> water.  It quickly became apparent that, once there was any differential
> speed between our boats and the air, the balloons would not add at all to
> our visibility.
> 
> Back to the electronic drawing board..........
> 
> Bill Leonhardt

Yes, those ballons just sagged behind us.  Moreover, every so often,
their lines would tangle around our paddles as a gust of wind would move
the balloon forward.  If one had a rudder, the line would soon entangle
around it.

I still maintain that you can be readily seen from a power or sail boat
if you are showing high visibility colors in your paddle, hat, PFD and
deck color.  If you have a dark deck, try placing on it some bright
flourescent color cloth such as those vests worn by highway workers.  If
your paddles are black or some other fashionable color, paint it day-glo
or use reflective strips.  Get a bright hat.  Wear only bright orange or
bright yellow PFDs.

Of course, no matter how well decked out you are, the first rule of
traffic is to absolutely assume that you are not in the least visible
and that the person at the wheel of that sailboat or motorboat is
distracted in conversation or other activity.  He or she is just
generally looking for something big that might harm his or her boat in a
collosion and not looking for something small.

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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