Quote:
Originally Posted by Evenstar
Chris Craft, I only have one kayak (I’m a financially-challenged, full-time college student). But if you can borrow one, I would be totally willing. But, unless you have cold water gear, we’ll have to wait until late June for the water to be warm enough for you. I’m totally willing to ride in a speed boat on the lake, but that’s not necessary, since I have been in and have operated powerboats before, and I don’t have anything against powerboats. If you’re serious about this, and can rent or borrow a kayak, pm me and we can make plans to get together.
[COLOR=black] Of course they don’t, because the majority on this forum are power boat operators – who don’t know anything about sea kayaks. Look, I’m not swimming across the lake – I’m using a boat just like everyone else on this forum. The only difference is that I can pick up my boat by myself and that it is human powered.
My sea kayak is designed especially for large bodies of water – so, there is nothing extreme about using it out on my state’s largest lake. I’m a collegiate athlete, and kayaking is one of the things I do to keep in top shape. My “non-smart” recreational choices also include collegiate sailing, and hiking, and cross-country skiing – so I’m probably in better shape that most of you. Only on this forum would a healthy form of recreation be considered to be less safe than speeding across a lake at unlimited speeds. Yeah, there’s no slant here!!!
This is very much a speed limit issue! Why didn’t you post my entire sentence, which concluded with “-or they are traveling faster than their ability.” ??? If high speed boats slowed down perhaps they would have time to see mean – then they could stay out of my 150 foot zone.
Again, I’m not swimming across the lake. I’m in a boat the is just as much a boat as what you use on the lake.
Hazelnut - you basically just supported most of the reasons why we need a lake speed limit. Thanks for making my points for me. There is nothing risky about me taking my sea kayak across the lake – other than the fact that some power boat operators are traveling at speeds that make this unsafe for paddlers. I’m in great shape, I’m very experienced at kayaking, and I have all the proper equipment to do this safely. [COLOR=black]My kayak is 16 feet long and it is bright red, with a white hull – if someone can’t see me then they are going faster than their ability to see. In most conditions I can see another kayak up to a mile away. [/COLOR
Why is it not prudent? (see my reply above)
Thee are people who always get in over their heads – due to inexperience and/or to not using/having the proper equipment – or to not paying attention to the weather. The same thing happens with hiking – but that doesn’t mean that hiking is unsafe.
How many of those rescues were in white-water or out in the ocean? How many were in cold water? How many of those paddlers were not wearing the proper gear? I would guarantee that only a tiny percentage of those rescues involved paddlers in sea kayaks.
I’ve taken coastal navigation and advanced paddling. I have all the proper gear and can do self-rescues. I even have CPR training – since I do my work study on the waterfront, instruction and overseeing the use of kayaks at my university. I have actually assisted a power boat that was in trouble – I have never needed to be rescued and I paddle hundreds of miles each year.
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Not only are YOU self centered but you fail at comprehension.
I'll slow it down for you. A speed limit does not equate to attention. A boat traveling at 45, 35, or 25 operated by an inattentive operator is 100 times more dangerous than a boat operating at 75MPH with an attentive operator. You obviously have ZERO high speed boating experience so there is absolutely no way you could or would ever comprehend how it works. I'll try to spell it out. Boaters operating at high speeds usually focus all of their attention on the task at hand and keep the sharpest of sharp lookouts. Casual boaters cruising at or around 25-30MPH are much more likely to take a casual approach and get lulled into a sense of security while they carry on and converse, sightsee, etc and end up failing to keep a sharp watch. I've seen it and encountered it daily.
Sorry I'll never ever agree that kayaking in the broads is wise speed limit or no speed limit. I think it is dumb actually. Tell me you can't get a good workout hugging the shoreline? Comparing your craft to powerboats is absolutely ridiculous. Your profile in the water is much closer to a swimmer. If you can't understand that there is no point in even discussing rational thoughts with you. Just like swimming in the broads alone is stupid, so is kayaking in the broads. There is a place for everyone on the lake to do their favorite activity. You think everyone else is selfish yet you are the only one trying to take away somebodies activities. Coves are for skiing, shoreline for kayaks, paddleboats and canoes, large open spaces for speed boats. How is that not sharing. No, you want it all and if you can't have it you'll kick and scream and tell everyone else that they are wrong. The whole argument is ridiculous. If I saw a canoe in the broads I'd rescue them because I would be sure they'd be in trouble. A canoe is more visible than a kayak. Why would you even THINK to go out there. I'll make this SAME statement after the speed limit passes. The speed limit will not change any of the above statements.