Positive Boaters Chime in

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Shedwannabe

Generally like your post, but am curious about what you mean here. It seems you say kayaks (which is my main water transportation) should not venture out where the motorboats are (not sure, maybe you mean only on weekends?).

I'm getting to the point where I want some experience on the big lake. It seems as if you believe I should stay on shoreline routes. Sometimes yes, but sometimes I like being out on the water. Do you mean that because there are a lot of motorboats, they should be able to scare away the kayaks/canoes?

I also ride my bike sometimes, and often feel motorists feel I should stay on the sidewalks... which I disagree with.

I'm thinking "tolerance" here, not "kayakers putting boaters in their place".

I won't speak for Steve, but I am pretty sure he is speaking of a discussion we had in the past. Where we were saying it is perfectly fine if you want to venture out into big water however there are areas of the lake where powerboats can only go, where kayakers and canoes can go anywhere.

For example heading from Little Bear island to Long Island Bridge, or if you venture up into the bays heading towards Suissvale and Greens Basin. In those areas there is a very wide berth that kayakers and non-motor boats can travel, where powerboats have to stay in the channel.

It is common courtosey for a kayaker to stay outside the channel so that all powerboats do not have to slow to headway speed, because it isn't like they can go around for they are in a channel.

Some kayakers whether on purpose to make a point or just don't know better find themselves on a busy weekend smack dab in the middle of the channels causing back ups for a dozen boats long which is a saftey issue in itself because this is an area that most people are going on plane speed.

Just a little common courtosey and respect both ways.

Also if you are in big water PLEASE make sure your kayak is not blue with blue life jackets! (no kidding 4th of July weekend, middle of the broads in a chop 2 kayakers doing just that!)

so commen sense as well.

[Shedwannabe]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

... there are areas of the lake where powerboats can only go, where kayakers and canoes can go anywhere.

It is common courtosey for a kayaker to stay outside the channel so that all powerboats do not have to slow to headway speed, because it isn't like they can go around for they are in a channel.

This makes sense. Thank you for explaining.

Still not sure what to do if I am going ACROSS the lake, as it seems I would need to cross a channel to do so, but i am talking about an infrequent urge, so I think it would be rare. Other kayakers might like going across more often, and, without meaning disrespect, may need to cross a channel to get to the other side.

Why did the kayaker cross the powerboat channel?
To get to the other side......

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Shedwannabe

This makes sense. Thank you for explaining.

Still not sure what to do if I am going ACROSS the lake, as it seems I would need to cross a channel to do so, but i am talking about an infrequent urge, so I think it would be rare. Other kayakers might like going across more often, and, without meaning disrespect, may need to cross a channel to get to the other side.

Why did the kayaker cross the powerboat channel?
To get to the other side......

I would agree.. I also Kayak.. However there are only a few places that by going across would you have to cause a powerboat to come off plane. Most everywhere I know of a powerboat would have plenty of room to go around (well beyond 150 ft). These channels I mention, you technically don't have to cut across. Paddle down a couple hundred yards and cross there. Not a big deal.

Now on the weekends an entirely different ballgame, due to congestion. But in those situations I wouldn't be caught dead in the middle of a high traffic channel in a kayak. I don't like being there in a powerboat. Too many uneducated boaters.

If you want to cross the lake during the week or even a Sunday, I bet you would not make one boat have to change course.

Its just a matter understanding the lake. Having crossed my bay many many times on a kayak there is one "channel" or an area that the powerboats normally travel. I see where the easiest place to cross is, wait then go.

As an example: do you remember when Eagle Island was Not a no wake zone? Can you imagine paddleing into there on the weekend? Well on a lesser scale, I see that all the time.. Absolutely nuts when you can easily hug the island on either side right???