Flags and Markers

[stitch]

While at Victoria Pier Angling on sunday I heard that a a charter boat skipper was not to pleased at having to turn away at the last minute in five foot sewels to aviod a kayaker. Whether he was fishing or touring i am not sure but it must have been a case of now you see me now you dont. Since i put my first thread on a few weeks ago the amount of interest in kayak fishing has been unbelievable. and in light of the above near miss incident, I would appreciate any ideas on how to mount a flag on the Kayak, which would be visable to other vessels so to avoid any incident like the above.

John

[chrish]

Even small boats have this problem when they come across bigger boats so I think you've got a job on your hands. Most kayaks though are very vivid colours (unlike many small angling boats that are often plain white etc). Another advantage of a kayak is that I expect it can up and away much quicker than a small boat which has to start its engine.
No doubt the chaarter skipper would say the kayak shouldn't be there in a swell but the P&O ferries would say the charter boats shouldn't be there in a swell and the big tankers would say the P&O ferries shouldn't be there in a swell.
Ever since boats were invented, big boats have been mowing down smaller boats and saying they shouldn't be there. Big yachts certainly say it about small sailing dinghys.
I suppose the only answer is to be vigilant and move out of their way. The charter boat must have been motoring a bit or he would have seen the kayak when it crested the top of the swell.

[zebra]

i used to have a long fibreglass whip on the back of my yak with a skull and crossbones on

[stitch]

That sounds like a good idea except for the skull and crossbones. I was thinking of something a bit brighter and mounting it in the hole molded in the stern for the rudder.

John

[zebra]

Hello john
Just kidding about the scull & crossbones. I did have a whip but found that in the wind it kept hitting me on the head so I now use an old top section from a beach caster (with the rings taken off ) it’s a lot stiffer and lets the flag blow in the wind creating better visibility . the a yellow flag on it made from a yellow visibility vest the type motorway workers use its very bright .the flag and pole are mounted just to the left of the rudder grooves I used a rod holder flush mount turned upside down this way I can just remove it for travelling .the rest of the vest I got will be cut up and glued to the front hatch cover to add a bit more visibility.

[stitch]

Thanks for that i will start looking for an old rod to cannibalize.

John