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Re: attention getting suggestions?
By:Eric
Date: 8/30/2010, 3:08 pm
In Response To: attention getting suggestions? (Mark Rakestraw)

My wife and I spend a fair amount of time paddling wooden boats in some pretty significant waterways (Puget Sound & San Juans primarily). In rough seas and foggy conditions, there are few if any audible or visible clues to offer. Motorboats are just too loud and to big to see or hear you. In the wind, I've been paddling next to a person blowing an emergency whistle and not heard it at all.

There are mirror tape strips that you can put on the back of a paddle. Even in relatively grey conditions, you can see these.

Better sporting goods stores have flares/flare guns. It would be hard to miss a flare shot across a boat.

I don't think flags would be very effective. It might help a little, but I wouldn't count on them.

The best defense is to get out the way, don't attempt to compete. Avoid paddling in major traffic lanes and use shallow water/headlands whenever possible. In large crossings that are busy, we play a giant game of chicken, so one of us will focus on traffic from behind, while the other focuses on the front. If we see boat crossing paths, we assess at that point if we want to wait or cross the path. If we are not both absolutely comfortable, we stay put.

As I understand the law, kayakers generally do not have the right of way. This is different from land based vehicles and is counter intuitive to most paddlers. You are generally more maneuverable and less likely to be seen so it falls on you to be aware and to give way whenever possible. If you check out most state boater pamphlets, you'll be fortunate to find any information about kayaks and the rules regarding them.

Messages In This Thread

Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
dave g -- 8/29/2010, 4:16 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Robert N Pruden -- 8/31/2010, 11:40 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 8:13 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Will N To Go -- 9/1/2010, 8:31 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/2/2010, 2:38 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Will N To Go -- 9/3/2010, 7:29 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/4/2010, 1:49 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
dave g -- 8/31/2010, 8:15 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Malcolm Schweizer -- 9/1/2010, 6:53 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Shark Bait -- 8/31/2010, 10:03 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Will N To Go -- 8/31/2010, 1:28 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 8/30/2010, 5:20 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Michael -- 9/6/2010, 9:42 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/9/2010, 3:31 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Malcolm Schweizer -- 9/1/2010, 6:51 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Robert N Pruden -- 8/31/2010, 11:50 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 8:11 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Fred -- 9/1/2010, 8:18 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 8:28 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Dan Caouette (CSFW) -- 8/31/2010, 9:11 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Kudzu -- 8/30/2010, 9:10 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 8/30/2010, 9:39 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 8/31/2010, 4:44 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 8/31/2010, 5:04 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 8/31/2010, 4:53 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 9/1/2010, 11:39 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/2/2010, 2:32 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/2/2010, 2:37 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Kudzu -- 8/30/2010, 7:51 am
attention getting suggestions?
Mark Rakestraw -- 8/29/2010, 7:34 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Eric -- 8/30/2010, 3:08 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Bill Hamm -- 8/30/2010, 4:59 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Bill Hamm -- 8/30/2010, 5:01 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Eric -- 8/30/2010, 5:37 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Bill Hamm -- 8/30/2010, 9:35 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Mike Bielski -- 8/29/2010, 10:17 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Will N to Go -- 8/30/2010, 12:25 am
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Mike Savage -- 8/30/2010, 7:32 am
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Al Edie -- 8/29/2010, 9:30 pm
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Alex Ferguson -- 8/30/2010, 6:53 am
Re: attention getting suggestions?
Al Edie -- 8/30/2010, 12:40 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Kurt Maurer -- 8/29/2010, 6:39 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 8/30/2010, 12:42 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Robert N Pruden -- 8/31/2010, 11:42 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 8:08 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
John lasky -- 8/31/2010, 11:16 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
TheLuckyOne -- 8/31/2010, 7:10 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 8:07 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
John lasky -- 9/1/2010, 9:08 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 9/1/2010, 9:14 am
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
John lasky -- 9/1/2010, 2:55 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
Bill Hamm -- 8/31/2010, 2:46 pm
Re: Other: kayaker hit by speed boat.
John Caldeira -- 8/29/2010, 10:56 pm