It's official...

[pats fan]

Originally Posted by Evenstar

You know, it's comments like yours that really irk me. It's insulting and uncalled for. I really try to get along with everyone, but that kind of attitude makes it pretty much impossible. And then you guys wonder why paddlers and powerboat owners don't get along better. Give me a break.

First of all, my kayak is just as much a boat as the biggest and most expensive powerboat. Being human powered does not make it any less of a boat. After all, kayaks have been around a lot longer than power boats.

Secondly, the lake is not an expressway - it's a recreational body of water. It is for everyone to use, including kayaks. And we have the right to use just as much of the lake as the powerboats.

I'm really sick of the contention here that a sea kayak has no place being out on the main lake - especially when 99% of those comments come from people who have never even paddled in a sea kayak.

You really should not be so sensitive! The orange ant with the strobe light was very funny! I agree that the lake is for everyone to use and enjoy, including kayaks. I also have a kayak and want to feel safe on the lake. However, thinking rationally about this we kayakers have to look at both sides of this with open eyes. You said you have as much right to use the lake as powerboats. I agree. But! HOW we all use the lake is the question. The powerboats are not allowed within 150 feet of the shore. That is for the safety of swimmers, boaters and kayakers! We have a few hundred miles of shore to kayak safely. Why not leave the open waters to the powerboats? You and I can have just as much fun, exercise and enjoyment of the lake along the shore as we can in the broads. More so actually! The fun part is looking at the homes and landscape. You are saying you should be able to kayak anywhere you want and feel safe. Then what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The powerboats should be able to boat anywhere they want. Does that make sense to you? There are rules put in place so that everyone can enjoy their respective sport. Their sport makes sense to be enjoyed away from the shore and ours makes sense to be enjoyed nearer the shore. As a side, you mentined that your boat is as much of a boat as the biggest and most expensive powerboat. I think this sounds like a bit of envy and jelousy. So his is bigger than yours! So what! Does yours still do what you want it to do? Then give it a name and don't worry if his is bigger, better and more money!

[Evenstar]

Originally Posted by pats fan

You really should not be so sensitive! The orange ant with the strobe light was very funny!

I’m sensitive because many of these types of comments are serious. I really don’t see anything funny about making fun of people.

I agree that the lake is for everyone to use and enjoy, including kayaks. I also have a kayak and want to feel safe on the lake. However, thinking rationally about this we kayakers have to look at both sides of this with open eyes. You said you have as much right to use the lake as powerboats. I agree. But! HOW we all use the lake is the question. The powerboats are not allowed within 150 feet of the shore.

That is not true, powerboats are allowed to use the entire lake – the only restriction is that they can’t travel faster than 6mph (no wake speed) within 150 feet of shore. If they’re 151 feet from shore, they can travel as fast as they want (unless there’s a speed limit). Of course they are supposed to never be closer than 150 feet from any other boat at a speed above 6mph. So, technically it is just as safe being out in the middle of the lake as it is hugging the shore. The problem is that some boaters travel at speeds that are beyond their ability to remain out of this 150 foot zone – this is where a speed limit comes in.

That is for the safety of swimmers, boaters and kayakers! We have a few hundred miles of shore to kayak safely. Why not leave the open waters to the powerboats? You and I can have just as much fun, exercise and enjoyment of the lake along the shore as we can in the broads. More so actually! The fun part is looking at the homes and landscape.

That’s your opinion. I enjoy paddling out on the main lake. I also enjoy paddling on the ocean. I am also a collegiate sailor, and I race small sailboats (that are actually shorter than my kayak) out in the middle of bays that are bigger than all of winni. If I wanted to just hug the shore, I would never have bought an expensive sea kayak.

This “kayaks do not belong on the main lake attitude” is really getting old. My kayak is made exactly for the conditions found out on the main lake. I often paddle 20 miles in an afternoon, why shouldn’t I be able to safely cut across the main lake if I want to, rather than retrace my route along the shore? I can safely kayak on Squam Lake – even out in the middle of the lake – from end to end.

As a side, you mentined that your boat is as much of a boat as the biggest and most expensive powerboat. I think this sounds like a bit of envy and jelousy. So his is bigger than yours! So what! Does yours still do what you want it to do? Then give it a name and don't worry if his is bigger, better and more money!

I have no desire to own a powerboat – I much prefer kayaks and sailboats. But I don’t refer to their preference in boats as a “toy” or as a “speedbump.”