[Paddlewise] Four-stroke sit-on-tops

As we struggle with our local Auckland kayak visibility bylaw (another big
powwow tomorrow), we have been shaking our heads over the trouble in store
for our bureaucratic guardian angels (joking) in satisfying their desire to
keep us safe from harm (by legislating us to be more visible).

If you haven't been paying attention (can't say I blame you) - we had a law
dumped on us that forces us to ensure that we are visible enough to avoid
collisions between other vessels and kayaks. Irrespective of whether the
other skippers are keeping a watch... That extends to night-time - when we
are required to show 2nm all-round bright lights. For a number of reasons -
to do with retention of night vision by kayak-group-members and compliance
with international standards - we have been attempting to get these
regulations thrown out and replaced with a recommended code of conduct.
Anyway - the pros & cons are being thrashed.

All this is aimed at human-powered paddlecraft. Not rowboats (that would
piss off a majority of boat owners) - but paddlecraft. The fact that this
unintentionally included quite a number of giant 80+ man Maori waka (think
US/Canadian West-Coast Indian dug-out canoe on steroids) is a right giggle.
The waka are very tribal, very sacred, very politically-incorrect to insist
be clad in fluro breechcloths, etc. Just a minor oversight...

But what will really stuff things up is the looming surge of cheap 4-stroke
fishing sit-on-tops. These are a cross between an under-powered jetski and a
fisho's dream sit-on-top (with bait wells & electronic dashboards like an
F16). No paddling required, just head for the horizon and hope you have fuel
to get back if the afternoon onshore breeze blows the wrong way. These
things are inexpensive!

Have the US - Canadian - European waters seen an explosion in these things ?
I assume you have all had the boom in fishing kayaks ? 

Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
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