Kayaks in the solent and inshore

[ChrisE]

Are we getting the full story here , are you sure you weren't tied to and obscuring a cardinal marker
we've all done it ........

You need a waterproof camera on board ready for OUR amusement
You can get them on ebay for under £10 , quickest way to shut a highrate raggie up too, just take his photo.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Underwater-Wa...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item4cf190f779

Now kayaking fishermen perform a very useful function, they often tether themselves to pot bouys making the whole a lot easier to spot...

While we're on about highrate raggies, what about the highrate stinkies that take pleasure in using my fishing boat as a marker bouy, pot kettle comes to mind. But you have given me an idea, take snaps and post here

Seriously as a raggie, stinkie and fisherman I've posted my concerns re kayak visibility on a fishing forum. The reaction was generally that I ought to keep a better lookout. A bit difficult when you meet some of these guys paddling at night without lights......

 

[PaulGooch]

Are we getting the full story here , are you sure you weren't tied to and obscuring a cardinal marker
we've all done it ........

You need a waterproof camera on board ready for OUR amusement
You can get them on ebay for under £10 , quickest way to shut a highrate raggie up too, just take his photo.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Underwater-Wa...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item4cf190f779

Full story, honest. We'd only been there a few minutes, hadn't even got a rod out or the kettle on.

 

[AndieMac]

I'm afraid your comparison is inane, cynical, and disrespectful.

I'm afraid your posts are condescending, self-righteous drivel, but as they say, you are entitled to your opinion.

The relevance of the Tasman story to the OP was the reports at the time indicated he may have been run down (not seen?) by commercial shipping as he approached the west coast of New Zealand.

What makes you think the Tasman is any worse than any other stretch of open sea in these latitudes?

 

[Little Rascal]

I'm afraid your posts are condescending, self-righteous drivel, but as they say, you are entitled to your opinion.

Then I apologise if that's how it came across!

But it's clear that if you attempt a 1000nm crossing "in these latitudes" you would be taking the risks to a whole new level.

Not really comparable to the risk of a 7nm crossing off Harwich in my opinion.

 

[AndieMac]

But it's clear that if you attempt a 1000nm crossing "in these latitudes" you would be taking the risks to a whole new level.

Not really comparable to the risk of a 7nm crossing off Harwich in my opinion.

Depends on what you consider is a reasonable risk.
Is it paddling across one of the busiest harbour entrances in the western world, where there is more large vessel movements in a day than the Tasman would see in a year, or clearing the coast for open water in one of the most remote corners of the planet.
The waves don't get any bigger because you can't see land, and the prevailing weather was always going to assist him to make land fall on the NZ west coast.

 

[Searush]

The waves don't get any bigger because you can't see land,

OOooohh! Andie!

Has physics changed recently then? Wave size is a function of wind strength & fetch, both of which are directly related to distance from land. Now shallow water will make them steeper & closer together (as will wind over current or tide), so in both situations distance from land is a key factor.

And any open sea passage in a kayak would normally be undertaken with two people in seperate kayaks as it makes a massive difference to safety.

But I rather think we have done this to death now . . .

 

[oldgit]

But I rather think we have done this to death now . .

but not quite......was thinking of fitting some under water lights to my kayak.....white or blue do you think ?

 

[Little Rascal]

Depends on what you consider is a reasonable risk.
Is it paddling across one of the busiest harbour entrances in the western world, where there is more large vessel movements in a day than the Tasman would see in a year, or clearing the coast for open water in one of the most remote corners of the planet.
The waves don't get any bigger because you can't see land, and the prevailing weather was always going to assist him to make land fall on the NZ west coast.

I think the risks are of a very different nature and as such difficult to compare. I think the long term exposure and the physical and psychological effects of a crossing like that are really pushing the limits in a kayak.

With crossing a shipping lane the risk is much more immediate and obvious but more within your control. I don't think any kayaker is too comfortable about crossing a shipping lane but I would not personally equate it with the Tasman Sea in terms of over all odds of survival.

 

[Little Rascal]

But I rather think we have done this to death now . . .

 

[PaulGooch]

With respect, methinks some of you have lost the plot here. This issue supposedly being discussed is not how seaworthy this kayak or that kayak might be, nor how experienced the paddler might be. It is about how visible said paddlers are to other vessels and whether they should make attempts to be seen more clearly, or possibly avoid areas where fast boats are known to operate.

Personally, i don't give a rats arse how seaworthy your canoe is, or how many years you've been paddling it. I don't want to have to live with the fact that your wife is a widow and your kids don't have a dad, because i was unable to see you (despite keeping a careful watch) and i ran you over and killed you.

Furk your paddling skills, gimme a chance to see you please.

 

[AndieMac]

OOooohh! Andie!

Has physics changed recently then? Wave size is a function of wind strength & fetch, both of which are directly related to distance from land. Now shallow water will make them steeper & closer together (as will wind over current or tide), so in both situations distance from land is a key factor.

And any open sea passage in a kayak would normally be undertaken with two people in seperate kayaks as it makes a massive difference to safety.

But I rather think we have done this to death now . . .

Maybe I should have said, the waves don't get nastier then SR

Just after the failed solo crossing of the Tasman, two young Sydney guys in a
twin seater successfully completed the voyage.

 

[DAKA]

But I rather think we have done this to death now . .

but not quite......was thinking of fitting some under water lights to my kayak.....white or blue do you think ?

Great idea, a lazer light to shine in the sky when upside down
'HELP, you just ran over me'