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Re: attention getting suggestions?
By:Bill Hamm
Date: 8/30/2010, 4:59 pm
In Response To: Re: attention getting suggestions? (Eric)

: 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.

Paddle craft have right of way over a motor powered vessel, means little if he runs you down.

Bill H.

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