Quote:
Originally Posted by noreast
If you think you might hit a kayak when you are at no wake speed I suggest for all our sake that you turn in your permit.
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Nobody really *thinks* they are going to hit a kayak (IMO). But I would agree that kayaking around the docks on a busy weekend is creating undue risk for all involved with no gain (other than a kayaker trying to prove "I can be here").
When the docks are full and there is a line-up of boats, peoples sight lines are generally looking 5-6' above the water. Eyeing the docks, the other boats, catching eye-contact with other captains, etc. It would be very easy for a kayaker to wind up in a sort of blind-spot as a boat starts moving. The risk increases as you get closer to the docks, I've seen people throttle back/forward hard (too hard, really) to keep from hitting docks, other boats, etc.
Yes, of course you should be aware of everything around you, but I'd be shocked if even the most responsible and experienced boaters here haven't had at least one "Oh ****! That was close!" incident in their time on the lake.
I'm not saying the kayaks don't have a right to be there, and I'm not saying anyone should really "expect" to hit a person in the water, but *purposefully* doing some anchor-and-kayak-in maneuver is creating undue risk for a lake that already has too many stupid restrictions. Don't give the nanny-law people another bit of ammunition to use to further limit what is permissible.