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GLH, You nailed that right on the head!
Those screwballs go out on Lake Mich. right into the thick of heavy boat traffic...almost ran a few down over the years.
Don't get me started on the waverunners in front of the Marinas....

Shah Mat

That's a whole 'nother discussion

GLH

Well my rant made the papers yesterday!

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/b...nday/4000h.htm

"Be safe on the lake

Kayaks have become a very popular way of exploring the lake and it seems like an enjoyable physical activity.

We own a boat and use it on Lake Champlain from time to time; we see a lot of kayakers at various locations around the lake. As a non-mechanically powered craft they have priority over bigger crafts and we maneuver accordingly.

Unfortunately, it has happened very often in the last few years that we, along with a lot of our fellow boaters, have seen kayaks out either at dusk or even night without any lights. This is a breach of navigational rules, but even more serious, it is a tragedy waiting to happen.

Another problem that arises is when the waves are more than one or two feet, and this happens relatively often. Those kayaks become extremely hard to see in the motion of the waters even in broad daylight.

We have seen some kayakers with small whips with flags attached, and easily identifiable colors. This makes them a lot more noticeable and reduces the probability of an accident.

Although I think those requirements are not mandated, it does help in identifying those smaller crafts out on the expanse of the lake.

Make no mistake, it is the bigger crafts' responsibility to avoid the kayaks. And, in an accident, if all rules had been observed by the kayaker, it would be the other boater's fault. But at that point, will that particular kayaker care?

From the number of close calls I have been told about or witnessed with both sailboats and powerboats or watching the ferry pull in and out, I am afraid it is only a matter of time before a tragedy strikes.

This will then produce legislation that is reactive instead of proactive and unfortunately someone will be in grief and a lot of lives will be ruined. I hope I'm wrong.
G.L. HARVIE
Burlington "

Downtown42

Great letter. That's why they printed it. Didn't notice any mention of






42' BAD ASS CIGARETTE TIGER with 2 SUPER CHARGED 600HP's.

CigDaze

Nice write-up GLH, good arguments.

I wish for the sake of those poor poeple that they would wise up.

Simply knowing that there are boats under power on a particular body of water, regardless of right of way, would keep me from kayaking anywhere near there.

The only loser in that game is the kayaker. I'm sure it's enjoyable and good excercise, but come on, they can barely be seen. There's no need to be more than a couple hundred feet from the shore in such small craft. It's akin to some brainiac swimming across a shipping channel.

Scarab105

GL,
Great job in the paper yesterday. How come no mention of freaking granola chewing parasites?

CigDaze

The editor would be offended and never publish it.

Downtown42

No lights is really stupid. Might as well leave the life jacket at the dock too because it's not going to do anything helpful except making the body easy to find.

There was a 35' performance boat one night coming into dock at a marina. I knew the guy from poker runs and he seemed pretty level headed. We were partying on the dock, about midnight and here comes the goof with no running lights. I help him tie up and ask what the problem is with the nav lights.

He said, " it's much easier to see at night when your pupils aren't dialated from all the running lights." I've had a few, and nicely said that is dangerous and you should see your eye doctor. Just can't believe some people.

GLH

I have to put my smoking jacket and pipe on when I write these!

waterheater

Well put GL. Hopefully something can be done to avoid a problem.