Re: [Paddlewise] Sea Kayaker - Feb

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 6:31 PM, Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote:

>
> That said, almost every single accident or near-accident involving kayaks
> and power boaters I know of has involved blatant disregard (or ignorance --
> the difference can be noted on your grave stone, I suppose) of the rules by
> the power boater.  So, what "good" does it do you to know the rules if the
> prime cause of a threat to you is somebody else's ignorance or incompetence?


There is not much kayakers can do about the ignorance of the Rules by other
boaters except, as several have noted, to follow the "tonnage rule" (e.g.:
stay out of the way of anything bigger). This is often difficult to do when
we (inevitably) cross channels. Mike Euritt's notes regarding the visibility
of colors is important to remember. We should start thinking of our paddles
as our primary attention-getting device and use some of that new
retro-reflective tape on them so that, as we wave them around, the light
reflected off them rises above the ambient noise of the water. Werner
Paddles should take note... my new paddles from them are jet black and it's
going to take a heck of a lot of tape. Pam just paints hers with green
luminescent paint.

There are a lot more kayakers out there now and that means that boaters
*should* be aware of the potential hazards. I still think the best defense
is to stay in waters that power boats are afraid of (near shore and
shallow), cross channels as quickly as possible, and be especially cautious
around marinas and public beaches.


> I now own and use a power boat, and took the required Oregon safe boating
> course, which illuminated the nature of the liability and hazards of using
> such a craft.  And here is the caveat:  stuff can happen so fast in a power
> boat you have to pay attention ... to a much greater degree than we do.
> Transitioning from one mode to the other was a real eye-opener for me.  We
> won't discuss my docking skills. [grin]
>
> The speed at which *stuff* happens on a powerboat at 25 or 30 kts is simply
breathtaking. On a kayak you can get lost in your thoughts for a few minutes
while you're paddling along and maybe cover a hundred yards. But if you lose
focus at the wheel of a powerboat moving at 30kts for 60 seconds you've
covered half a mile! A lot of things can happen in half a mile.

I know I'm preaching to the choir in this as we are all scared spitless by
power boats (and if you're not, you should be), but if a power boat driver
shifts attention to finding a chart (oh... wait... ok then, more ice for his
drink) from driving then you have a missile running around and it's just us
and the rocks that are the speed bumps.

As for docking, believe it or not that is actually easier in a larger and
heavier boat than it is in a lightweight and maneuverable bartender.

Craig
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