Quote:
Originally Posted by Acres per Second
 Can you find one NAV aid, one military helicopter, at least one powerboat—of four—and one kayak in this photo—taken yesterday? 
Additional points:
Can you describe the color of this NAV aid—in bright sun? |
O.k., I'll take the test.
The kayak is the one up in the sky, right? Whoops, sorry, wrong type of blades.
The helicopter (looks like a Blackhawk) is obvious. The kayak and foremost boat is obvious.
Using the foremost powerboat as the focal point, there appears to be a boat 1/3 of the way to the left, between the foremost boat, and the NAV aid. There is another one to the far right of the picture, heading somewhat towards your position at the time the picture was taken.
Between the foremost boat, and the one to the far right, there appears to be another boat about 2/3rd's of the way to the right from the foremost boat to the far right boat.
Without the ability to look for a corresponding NAV aid, and a picture without a higher resolution, my guess is that the NAV aid is red and white.
To all that posted in this thread, thank you. Many valid points were raised about PFD's, kayak colors, and for lack of a better term, boating defensively.
Trying to kayak across the lake in a dark colored kayak with a dark colored paddle is pretty much foolhardy. Not wearing a PFD out in the middle of the lake isn't any better. Unfortunately, there are many individuals that don't take the time to consider the environment that they are going into, what might happen during their travels, or how their choices might make it more difficult for others to respond in a timely manner.
My own kayak is a bright lime green, in order for there to be contrast between the kayak and water. The kayak has SOLAS reflective tape on the bow, stern, and sides. My PFD is red and black, also having SOLAS tape on the front and back of it. My paddle blades are white, and have the SOLAS tape on the front and back of the paddles as well.
With the appropriate precautions, a kayaker should be able to travel somewhat freely around the lake. Granted, the broads probably wouldn't be the best idea on a busy day. Traveling between the shore and Rattlesnake, I always try to see who's heading my way, and make course corrections accordingly, or simply come to a stop and wait them out. Better to arrive later and alive, than not at all.
YakAttack makes what's called the VISICarbon Pro, which is a collapsible carbon flag pole with a Tek-Tite 360 degree light on top, as well as a high visibility flag and reflective tape around the pole. It might seem a little pricey to some, but it would still be far less than any hospital bills incurred because a kayaker wasn't as visible as they could have been. It would certainly be a good investment for the kayaking folks that venture out across the lake. I'll be ordering one this week.
So if you see a lime green Emotion Glide on the water, you can either use the VISICarbon Pro as an aiming point, or to avoid me. Your choice.