Finding time to paddle on days other than the weekend helps, too. I hit the Mohawk River this morning, and so did the power boaters. The weekend power guys seem to be out there for the sheer entertainment of going fast, for the most part. Like you said, look both ways, keep an ear out, and paddle like h**l. Be careful around blind curves. Forget about waving at these guys.

The weekday guys seem to be more relaxed, slower, and more tuned into their surroundings. They'll even wave back, most of the time.

I do enjoy the waves the big & fast power boaters kick up, though. The paddlers on the coast don't know how good they've got it.

: The topic is fresh in my mind right now as there have been two
: powerboating accidents on the very bayou I do most of my
: paddling this year alone. People take the tight turns way too
: fast, cut corners, and collisions happen. When I go there, I
: stop completely at the turn and listen for engine noise, and
: hope to be out of the way. For the most part the fisherman I run
: into are polite, and curious about the boat, but the minority
: make it dangerous for everyone.