Re: [Paddlewise] Rec Boat Scenario

How about this.  First of all, every power tool, ladder, etc. has a section
on hazards.  I'd say kayak makers should put something like that in their
owner's manual - dangers of capsize, difficulty of re-entry, need for
floatation in both ends, procedures for removing water from the cockpit.
(Do they already?  I'll bet they do.)

Perhaps the boat should sell with a plastic bag full of styrofoam stuck in
the bow.  Perhaps the bag full of styrofoam should say (in huge letters)
"removing this could cause death!!!", followed by a direction to read the
owner's manual.

The plastic bag full of styrofoam would cost next to nothing, so it wouldn't
jack up the price of the boat.  Including a pump as part of the package
might be good - it wouldn't cost much and might impress upon the purchaser
that there might be a danger.

Then again, all this is probably moot.  You can lead an idiot to appropriate
caution, but you can't make him/her partake.

- Gordon Snapp


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