Kayak safety against boaters - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

barongan · 09-04-2018, 10:20 AM

subscribed, this seems like a very interesting thread

GTboosted · 09-04-2018, 11:37 AM

You are taking a step in the right direction. It's your choice but there really is no reason why you shouldn't wear a PFD. They have compact, inflatable, comfortable, etc PFDs. It's not about knowing how to swim it's about emergencies.

The air horn is a good idea for harbors but I am not sure how effective they would be in open water with a boat at full speed.

Orange is probably the best color for visibility in the ocean (ie orange life rafts). My NRS chinook PFD is this same hue. My Pro Angler is yellow but I wouldn't mind orange too. I think I overdo it based on the colors I see at the launch ramp but I am not trying to win no style points. That and I am always by myself miles out. A single kayak is harder to see than a group.

I know I mentioned it before and I'll say it again. I've seen a grey inflatable boat get shredded by a speeding boat, the guy jumped out at the last second and survived with no injuries. I also needed an air rescue of the coast of Malibu literally after launching. I was oblivious to the conditions out there. Luckily I was out fishing with a group and they called the rescue from shore. I was wearing my PFD and it probably save my life. It allowed me to conserve energy every time I would get knocked off the kayak.

Still, no details have come out. Its possible none of these tips would have helped the victim in Marina Del Rey. Like it's been said, keep your head on a swivel and assume they don't see you.

Liveaction13 · 09-04-2018, 12:22 PM

No excuses for not wearing a life vest the photo was more of a example to show the high vis colors I use I also carry a second life vest due to a accident I saw in dana point 2 years ago a couple new kayakers rolled there tandem and neither had a vest and I ended up giving mine to them until we could flip there yak over and get them back on

goldenglory18 · 09-04-2018, 12:26 PM

Air Horn is a great idea. Love the quick access knife as well. I've been hooked/hung up plenty of times with danger headed straight towards me.

I've gotta say though, holiday weekends are the absolute WORST time to be in a busy powerboat/sailboat area on a kayak/SUP. Just too many distractions for both sides of the potential collision. You couldn't pay me to do that s**t again.....

alanw · 09-04-2018, 03:02 PM

I usually avoid holiday weekends for exactly this reason. Why the hell when there's a whole f'n ocean do boats come close enough to run over my line? It's ridiculous, and holiday traffic makes it just stressful to be the little guy on the water. I've had a very close call before an it's just not worth it IMO.

MITCHELL · 09-04-2018, 06:10 PM

Has been through the week
The one Saturday I decided to go was when two boats cut me off and the second boat pulled his lines over the top of me and I cut them and will do it again

grey zone · 09-04-2018, 07:30 PM

Years ago I was hooping off Shelter island, well lit, and a very large vessel is heading towards me at high speed. I paddled like hell and got out of the way as the yacht raced by, they did not see me. Kayakers have to understand how low they are to the water and if your kayak blends in you might not be seen. Put your life in your own hands, don't put it in others.

09-04-2018, 11:37 AM	#2
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	You are taking a step in the right direction. It's your choice but there really is no reason why you shouldn't wear a PFD. They have compact, inflatable, comfortable, etc PFDs. It's not about knowing how to swim it's about emergencies. The air horn is a good idea for harbors but I am not sure how effective they would be in open water with a boat at full speed. Orange is probably the best color for visibility in the ocean (ie orange life rafts). My NRS chinook PFD is this same hue. My Pro Angler is yellow but I wouldn't mind orange too. I think I overdo it based on the colors I see at the launch ramp but I am not trying to win no style points. That and I am always by myself miles out. A single kayak is harder to see than a group. I know I mentioned it before and I'll say it again. I've seen a grey inflatable boat get shredded by a speeding boat, the guy jumped out at the last second and survived with no injuries. I also needed an air rescue of the coast of Malibu literally after launching. I was oblivious to the conditions out there. Luckily I was out fishing with a group and they called the rescue from shore. I was wearing my PFD and it probably save my life. It allowed me to conserve energy every time I would get knocked off the kayak. Still, no details have come out. Its possible none of these tips would have helped the victim in Marina Del Rey. Like it's been said, keep your head on a swivel and assume they don't see you. __________________ -Beto

09-04-2018, 03:02 PM	#5
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	I usually avoid holiday weekends for exactly this reason. Why the hell when there's a whole f'n ocean do boats come close enough to run over my line? It's ridiculous, and holiday traffic makes it just stressful to be the little guy on the water. I've had a very close call before an it's just not worth it IMO. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

09-04-2018, 06:10 PM	#6
MITCHELL Sea Hunter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Where ever I may roam where I lay my head I call home. Posts: 2,258	All of my fishing in la Jolla.... Has been through the week The one Saturday I decided to go was when two boats cut me off and the second boat pulled his lines over the top of me and I cut them and will do it again __________________ Duke Mitchell

09-04-2018, 10:20 AM	#1
barongan Banned Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 5	subscribed, this seems like a very interesting thread

09-04-2018, 12:22 PM	#3
Liveaction13 Junior Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 28	No excuses for not wearing a life vest the photo was more of a example to show the high vis colors I use I also carry a second life vest due to a accident I saw in dana point 2 years ago a couple new kayakers rolled there tandem and neither had a vest and I ended up giving mine to them until we could flip there yak over and get them back on

09-04-2018, 12:26 PM	#4
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	Air Horn is a great idea. Love the quick access knife as well. I've been hooked/hung up plenty of times with danger headed straight towards me. I've gotta say though, holiday weekends are the absolute WORST time to be in a busy powerboat/sailboat area on a kayak/SUP. Just too many distractions for both sides of the potential collision. You couldn't pay me to do that s**t again.....

09-04-2018, 07:30 PM	#7
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	Years ago I was hooping off Shelter island, well lit, and a very large vessel is heading towards me at high speed. I paddled like hell and got out of the way as the yacht raced by, they did not see me. Kayakers have to understand how low they are to the water and if your kayak blends in you might not be seen. Put your life in your own hands, don't put it in others.