If I recall correctly from previous P'Wise discussions, not to mention personal experiences, boat color is somewhat irrelevant if you are trying to be seen from the water (as opposed to an air search or something similar). Nonetheless, the yellows and flourescents are the most visibile, but the boat profile is so low that the boat won't be easily seen regardless of color. The first visible sign of a kayaker is the flashing paddle blades, second is the PFD. In both instances, of course, this assumes you are not using dark colors like black blades or a dark PFD. It also assumes you are in daylight, and sky conditions are clear. Throw in darkness, haze, fog, heavy rains, snow etc and the whole situation changes. So, if I recall correctly, the general outcome of the prior discussion was to get highly visible paddle blades and PFD, but whatever color you like for the actual boat. Carry lights with you to improve visibility in low light situations, and put reflective tape on your paddle blades and PFD. Unless an air search is trying to spot a capsized hull, forget hull color as a safety issue. And dont forget that the majority of hulls on glass boats are white, which blend in with whitecaps, so don't bank on trying to be spotted from the air with a white hull. Again, I'm no expert - this is from my recollection of prior discussions on P'Wise and is from the visibility perspective of other boaters (ie: low to the water themselves). The other exception is being seen by PWCs. Color is totally irellevant since they'll find you no matter how hard you try to stay away from them. I think it's some sort of magnetic thing :-) Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jul 12 2002 - 05:40:57 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:54 PDT