Quote:
Originally Posted by whalebackpoint'r
I agree!
I enjoy being both a kayaker and power boat user. I do not support further regulation. The rules are already in place. If you have taken the boater safety exam and have a license to operate a boat, you are familiar with the rules. Simply observe them and everyone can enjoy being on the water.
There are way too many power boat operators who need to learn and obey the rules. If you are having difficulty determining what 150 feet looks like, it's half the distance between the end zones of a football field. I believe it is also equal to two legal lengths of a 75' water ski tow ropes. That means you must be moving at headway speed (producing no wake) if you are that distance or nearer to any other boat, swimmer, kayak, dock and shoreline, or in a no-wake zone.
It's really simple, obey the rules and show respect. It is a privilege, not a right, to be able to use the state owned waterways.
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I agree wholeheartedly that there are way too many power boat operators that need to learn the basic rules. However, I also think some of the burden of responsibility should rest with the kayakers as well. Think about it: when you enter a major highway such as Rt. 93 or 95, there is a sign that states something like " bicycles, horses, pedestrians prohibited". There's obviously a reason for this; perhaps it's because people are too stupid to use common sense, so common sense must be "imposed" by the State.
I compare kayakers paddling in busy areas, at busy times, to people riding a bicycle on Rt. 93 - it should be prohibited. Kayakers like to thump their chests and say "they have every right to be on any part of the lake at any time". Perhaps true from a "legal" perspective, but quite irresponsible in my opinion. I think the State should use the same basis for prohibiting bicycles on 93, and legislate a requirement for kayakers to use a tall, bright flag at the very least. Also, the argument claimed by kayakers that a flag impedes their ability to right the kayak in case of a rollover is not valid. At the very least they could put tin foil on their hat, which would increase visibility somewhat (no joke).