: I also think the US Coast Guard is going to have to do something about the
: lack of flotation issue with the plastic toy kayaks that are taking
: people's lives.

Never think that better (more expensive) equipment is a substitute for common sence.

For its intended purpose my plastic boat is very safe but, I would never take out into open water.

If you take people with no respect for what the water or the weather can do, and give them better equipment thay just go farther into danger before thay realize thay in trouble.

The decisions we make are the telling factor not the boat we paddle.

If retailers/rental agents can make good information available about the limitations of the boats thay sell (Thay usualy do)
and the rest of us continue to stress safty whenever posible that is a good start, but Each of us is ultimatly responsible for the decisions we make.

I mean no disrespect for the unfortunate people who lost there lives.