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Since I got my drifter I have come close to being run down by power boats twice. A couple of weeks ago number three actually hit me and I was catapulted to the kids deck, cracked their windshield and slowly slid back into the water. Somewhere along the way I cut one of my fingers and it turns out cut the tendons in the finger so I no longer can use it very well.

I was in the sun and they were traveling into the sun and just didnt see me, Anyway they had no lines on board and neither could swim so after I convinced the young lady and her boy friend that they didnt kill me I fliped drifter back over and sort of scrambled back in. Those kids were so scared. So I asked them that they travel at angles to the sun and a lot slower when they are near shore. To be fair even a 14 foot whaler would not have been seen.
The purpose of this is just to reminf everyone that I would have been in big troulble without my PFD, my paddle tied to my Kayak and the kayak tied to me.

I also have a question how does one safely retrieve items stored in the kayaks well. My yak gets very unstable when I try to rotate around to get stuff. I know a roll over is in my future if I dont get it figured out.

Thanks

Wow!

Where was this?

...We all should be more observant on the water...your lucky...Think I would have a big flag to wave around from now on...Glad your some what okay...

Wow, that's really terrifying. I'm VERY happy to hear that you're OK... ...for the most part. Hope you're having that finger looked at?!

Even though it looks goofy, I'll be making it a point to screw in the ole' orange safety flag on my yak anytime I take it out in heavy traffic. Might not make a difference, but then again... ...it might!

Again, glad you're OK!

whistle or flare. Waving your paddle ?? Man you got me thinking now.

Man, that is amazing. You are fortunate not to have been killed and so are they for you not beating the driver to a pulp.

Glad your okay

I'd still be trying to get my foot out of their azz.

birddog wrote:I'd still be trying to get my foot out of their azz.

My thoughts exactly!
Chalk had a good idea, use one of those big bicycle flags, they also use them for riding dunes. I know that's the last thing you want hanging off your rig, but man...you are one lucky dude!

To safely retrieve items from the well, let your feet dangle on the side this will make you more stable. You can also extend your paddle out and brace it on the water to turn around in your yak. Welcome to the "I lived to tell about it club" and glad your OK.

There are a couple of shots in the layout below that show my installed safety flag. Might not be the sexiest thing, but I always hook it up if there's any threat of serious boat traffic.

Do you remember what was going throw your mind when you realized that boat wasn't turning?

Dang Blue,
That is one scary story, and is probably my greatest fear on the water! Shark and tarpon fishing, no problem, but idiots in a powerboat scare the crap out of me. Trouble is that kids playing grabazz and goofing around in their daddy's powerboat don't have a clue, and probably are not paying a bit of attention to what is around them. So even with a tall flag and a brightly colored yak (safety orange, yaller, mebbe even white), I'm not sure it would still make a lot of difference. But all we can do is hope! I'm still considering carrying a .32 or .380 semiauto pistol in the pocket of my fishing shirt to use in self defense, if I ever have to--if it comes down to me or them, I know which side I'm on!

I guess you make a good reason to carry a horn in a quickly accessible location.

A air-horn seems like it would be loud enough to hear over a 2 stoke outboard running wide open. good idea jsuber

The air horn is on my list plus a flag.

The kids just didnt know guess I should have asked them for cash to buy a new real. No, didnt lose it the thing would work afterwards.
It really wasnt a heavy traffic day.

Well the event is over I have been warned . Could have been a lot worse. Onthe bright side a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.

As far as finger is concerned I have opted at the surgeons suggestion not to repair it several weeks (like 14) in a cast and splint , the danger from the anesthesia and all the time in rehab just isnt worth what little use I would get out of it.

Yep--I carry an airhorn also, but have yet to use it (fortunately) since I rarely fish or travel in high volume boat traffic areas. However, I need to rig a holder of some sort, so it is immediately available when needed, but does not clutter up my tackle trays or deck space.