Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present

You would be hard to see on a cloudy day. Can you trade it for
international orange?! (only half kidding) We used to have one in the
Thousand Islands - not pretty, but I felt much safer. Try to put a
flag on it somehow, and wear a bright PFD and hat. Carry an air horn -
small and light, but lots of noise when you need to get someone's
attention!

Dave in Lake Villa wrote:
> Hello. I hope these following questions dont appear to be rather silly,
> but, I feel i need to ask them out of concern for my safety when
> Kayaking on a lake . I just bought a new Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak
> and am ready to take it out on some lakes . Theres one particular Island
> that id like to paddle to which is perhaps a 1/4 mile from shore. There
> are motorboats on this lake although it never appears too busy.
> Questions are :
>
> 1. Will an 11' Kayak that is approx. 30" wide , off white and blue in
> color, be readily seen if a boat and kayak are heading head-on toward
> one another.?
>
> 2. What is a safe margin of distance i should expect a boater to take
> to my kayak, when out on the lake ?
>
> 3. Are there many Boat/Kayak accidents on lakes generally ?
>
> 4. What measures should i take if a Boat is coming fast toward me and
> apparently doesnt see me ? Stand up and wave a paddle ?
>
> Thanks, Dave
>


--
Pat Drummond (delete INVALID from address)
http://BoatinginCanada.com
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

wear a bright pfd and you should visible enough. Courteous boaters will
give you a decent berth when passing but don't always count on it. We canoe
on a fairly busy lake and once in a while we have to turn the bow toward a
large wake but not too often.

--
Denis Roy
D. Roy Woodcraft
www.ideasinwood.com
"P. Drummond" <pat.TakeThisOut@ncf.ca.INVALID> wrote in message
news:fc6qu6$bt1$1@theodyn.ncf.ca...
> You would be hard to see on a cloudy day. Can you trade it for
> international orange?! (only half kidding) We used to have one in the
> Thousand Islands - not pretty, but I felt much safer. Try to put a flag on
> it somehow, and wear a bright PFD and hat. Carry an air horn - small and
> light, but lots of noise when you need to get someone's attention!
>
> Dave in Lake Villa wrote:
>> Hello. I hope these following questions dont appear to be rather silly,
>> but, I feel i need to ask them out of concern for my safety when
>> Kayaking on a lake . I just bought a new Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak
>> and am ready to take it out on some lakes . Theres one particular Island
>> that id like to paddle to which is perhaps a 1/4 mile from shore. There
>> are motorboats on this lake although it never appears too busy.
>> Questions are :
>>
>> 1. Will an 11' Kayak that is approx. 30" wide , off white and blue in
>> color, be readily seen if a boat and kayak are heading head-on toward
>> one another.?
>>
>> 2. What is a safe margin of distance i should expect a boater to take
>> to my kayak, when out on the lake ? 3. Are there many Boat/Kayak
>> accidents on lakes generally ?
>>
>> 4. What measures should i take if a Boat is coming fast toward me and
>> apparently doesnt see me ? Stand up and wave a paddle ? Thanks, Dave
>
>
> --
> Pat Drummond (delete INVALID from address)
> http://BoatinginCanada.com
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

Thanks for the info Fellas. Im also going to use reflective strips on
the paddles for the kayak so if i wave it around frantically at a
Boater, hopefully it will be readily seen when the sun hits it. The
inflatable kayak i bought should take a large wake ok as its designed to
handle Class 3 WhiteWater Kayaking. If it looks like a Boat is going
to collide with me, I plan on unlatching my life jacket fast, and
diving deep.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

On Sep 11, 6:58 pm, DaveInLakeVi....TakeThisOut@webtv.net (Dave in Lake Villa)
wrote:
> Thanks for the info Fellas. Im also going to use reflective strips on
> the paddles for the kayak so if i wave it around frantically at a
> Boater, hopefully it will be readily seen when the sun hits it. The
> inflatable kayak i bought should take a large wake ok as its designed to
> handle Class 3 WhiteWater Kayaking. If it looks like a Boat is going
> to collide with me, I plan on unlatching my life jacket fast, and
> diving deep.

At the risk of falling for troll bait, I really have to question
whether taking your PDF *off* before you hit the water is a good idea.
You really think you can dive deep enough, instantly, from water
level, and stay down long enough, to clear the keel and prop of a
boat? You sure you're going to stay conscious and uninjured to
resurface and tread water? Reminds me of the "I want to be thrown
clear" illogic that circulated when seatbelts came in.

I think the flag is a good idea, maybe on a long springy pole that you
can raise when needed; and the air horn, and all the other high-viz
tricks. But boaters routinely hit things way more visible than you'll
ever be, so I understand your concern. Maybe a self-lighting smoke
flare? I'm not sure if such a thing would result in someone calling
the Coast Guard ... perhaps it depends on whether it's white vs
orange?

S.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

On Sep 13, 6:27 am, sharkf....TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:

At the risk of falling for troll bait, (a very astute and adroit
obserbvation on your part about this nitwit) I really have to question
whether taking your PDF *off* before you hit the water is a good
idea.
You really think you can dive deep enough, instantly, from water
level, and stay down long enough, to clear the keel and prop of a
boat?
S.

You may suggest to Dave to wear a weight belt with at least 50 pounds
of lead to aid in his "deep diving" as the gun he plans on carrying
(no doubt to kill any approaching bears, gators, or sharks) would not
help much.

Hal
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

'You really think you can dive deep enough, instantly, from water level,
and stay down long enough, to clear the keel and prop of a boat? You
sure you're going to stay conscious and uninjured to resurface and tread
water?'

REPLY: Assuming the oncoming boat is some 20' away when i take the
dive...yes, i do believe i will stay down long enough in addition to
swimming underwater perpendicular to the boats travel before coming up
for air , thereby clearing the boat completely. When your life is in
danger , Ill bet a person can hold his breathe far longer than normal
if he had to. Seems to me if the boat is 20' away and is going to hit
you head on, diving deep and away is your last hope.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

On Sep 16, 8:54 pm, DaveInLakeVi....RemoveThis@webtv.net (Dave in Lake Villa)
wrote:
> 'You really think you can dive deep enough, instantly, from water level,
> and stay down long enough, to clear the keel and prop of a boat? You
> sure you're going to stay conscious and uninjured to resurface and tread
> water?'
>
> REPLY: Assuming the oncoming boat is some 20' away when i take the
> dive...yes, i do believe i will stay down long enough in addition to
> swimming underwater perpendicular to the boats travel before coming up
> for air , thereby clearing the boat completely. When your life is in
> danger , Ill bet a person can hold his breathe far longer than normal
> if he had to. Seems to me if the boat is 20' away and is going to hit
> you head on, diving deep and away is your last hope.

You ask a very good question.
The best advice I can give is to wear something bright in color. If
you see a power boat headed your way, it might be advisable to hold a
paddle up and wave it to attract attention.
I find it difficult to see some small vessels like canoes and kayaks
off a short distance, especially when they blend with water colors.
When traveling over water at 45 MPH plus, distance closes up real
fast. I'd stay closer to shore too if possible. Most power boats will
be further out.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present 

I paddle lakes, the Intercostal Waterway and bay waters on the East, West,
and Gulf Coast, and have had a few occasions to wonder if smaller boats
travelling at high speed could see me as well as I see them. Probably not,
especially in fog, high seas, near dark, or in bad weather... especially
when they are attending to the skier behind them, or crab or oyster traps on
either side.

Always wear a bright PFD, a light bright colored cap, and plan your route to
cross perpendicular to their path... if they are headed toward you at high
speed, hold your paddle high and wave it to get their attention. This seems
to work quickly, in all but the most crowded areas. Once you get their
attention, don't start to paddle until they commit their maneuver.

Also, get a fog whistle (required in most N. American waters), and my
favorite, a small gas powered fog horn. (About $5) They are small enough to
easily fit in a PDF's pocket, and will get the attention of anyone within a
quarter mile in most weather. I carry both, but in the Intercostal channel,
the commercial traffic simply won't hear it in normal traffic conditions.
Fortunately, we surf their bow wave, and wait until they pass (5+ mins.) to
cross their path.

I have used a signal mirror when hiking, but from a kayak, they are not so
helpful... water motion and sun position never seem right. Reflective tape
on the front and back of the paddle blade or shaft is good for night
paddling, but does not help much during the day. An orange or other colored
blade is quite useful, and is easy to see if you wave your blade.

A quarter mile is not far, so you should not have any problems unless
weather or traffic makes a change for the worst. I would be concerned about
your ability to re-enter in cold water on windy days, if you dive or are
thrown by the wake of a larger craft coming too close. Practice it a couple
of times, with a friend or ACA instructor.

Also, you might attach a cord of Dacron line from a forward or aft position
of the kayak to your paddle, when traveling in windy conditions. This will
provide some drag to keep your inflatable from blowing away, should you deep
dive. In cold water, time in the water is critical.

Good luck, and enjoy!

See you on the water,

V-

"Dave in Lake Villa" <DaveInLakeVilla.DeleteThis@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:26480-46E3E76B-376@storefull-3236.bay.webtv.net...
> Hello. I hope these following questions dont appear to be rather silly,
> but, I feel i need to ask them out of concern for my safety when
> Kayaking on a lake . I just bought a new Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak
> and am ready to take it out on some lakes . Theres one particular Island
> that id like to paddle to which is perhaps a 1/4 mile from shore. There
> are motorboats on this lake although it never appears too busy.
> Questions are :
>
> 1. Will an 11' Kayak that is approx. 30" wide , off white and blue in
> color, be readily seen if a boat and kayak are heading head-on toward
> one another.?
>
> 2. What is a safe margin of distance i should expect a boater to take
> to my kayak, when out on the lake ?
>
> 3. Are there many Boat/Kayak accidents on lakes generally ?
>
> 4. What measures should i take if a Boat is coming fast toward me and
> apparently doesnt see me ? Stand up and wave a paddle ?
>
> Thanks, Dave
>
 >> Stay informed about: Questions on Kayaking with other Boats present