Stay away from Huli Cat charter boat in HMB

Report it to the USCG and the sheriff.

The skipper is treasurer of the San Mateo County Harbor District...and also accused of sexual harassment.

Accused, yes.  But a report by the SMCHD did not lead to any action.

-Allen

kayakers should not mill around the mouth of the harbor.  paddle through as fast as you can and clear the boating channel.   If you cannot handle boat wakes, you shouldn't be there.

This

Keep your head on a swivel and get the fuck out of the way.
Time your exit and entry wisely.

Glad your friend is OK.

kayakers should not mill around the mouth of the harbor.  paddle through as fast as you can and clear the boating channel.   If you cannot handle boat wakes, you shouldn't be there.

oh man that sucks... i always try and look back/ahead and shoot through quick when it's clear. if you get caught, better know how to handle the wakes.  early morning at the green can (when PBs are heading north for a hot bite through the channel) is a different story... i feel like a frog trying to cross a freeway.... WATCH OUT!

Tom Mattusch is one of the better captains around and runs one of the most family friendly party boats in the area, doesn’t overbook his boat, very good about helping kids and novices fish, no drunks allowed etc

He’s also an old freediver who spent a lot of years on the water on an old style dive yak, I dove with him and his crew back in the 70s and would say any kind of sexual harassment allegations would be utter bullshit, he’s an upstanding guy

It’s possible whoever was at the helm(he’s got helpers) just didn’t see the kayaks, but nobody on his boat would be likely to be brazenly careless about something like this

I was almost hit out by the buoys by one of the local sixpack boats doing full throttle, I could have kissed the boat it was so close it threw me off my yak, so I know the feeling

The mouth of the harbor and the line outside that the boats take going in and out is territory where yaks need to watch themselves and not take it for granted the boats will see them

Would it do any good to hail the boat on the radio?  What about an air or electronic horn to get their attention?  If there was a situation that lead to litigation, proving you did all you could to get the skipper's attention to your presence could go a long way. 
GoPro camera recording the event would also make it possible to post the problem on social media, like YELP reviews and such.  Bad publicity that could affect their business is a pretty powerful motivator. 

I've known Tom (and the other folks that pilot the Hulicat) for a long time and it's not typically in there nature to do this.

I dont doubt the it was intentional, because the blew right by my last Sunday at Pedro...

But I called him out on it and he said there's another side to the story; I am waiting to hear his perception of the event that happened; I am just trying to keep the peace between the boaters and the yakers....

I also know the Harbor Master at PP; but will wait for more info for Tom, before asking John's opinion on the matter...

we both need to share and enjoy the harbor...

That sucks glad he’s ok, we got a few local a$$h@le locals up here that get too damn close on full throttle like it’s a damn game...... but Oregon law puts a 100 yrd(???) or so “No Wake Zone” around ALL paddle craft.... if they swamp us and it can be proved they can get a fine. But that’s Oregon.

I feel you bud!  Same thing happened to me last year by private boaters though. Its happened while I was going out.  Two boats racing out and the wake were really close together , wasn't expecting to get thrown off but it happened.  I learned to be extra carful during salmon season after that.

As a last ditch effort you think using a powerful strobe flashlight might get their attention?

I have watched kayakers when I am on a charter, and have seen some dumb things from both the boater and yakker side. I watched last Friday as two kayaker (I think were renting them) had no wet suit, or wearing PFD's went out of the mouth to paddle around. I( thought that was dumb, but renters think they are safe and go for it. I have also been blown around by the wake of speeding boats. I assume all boaters are going full throttle until proven otherwise. Keep in mind a lot of these boaters are out there for the same thing we are, to fish. This is their day off and they are trying to make the most of it. As long as paddle in a boating lane, you are as my North East Cousin in East Booth Bay, Maine likes to say (in my best down east voice) "Nothing more than a speed bump to a Lobsterman."

Often these folks are looking further out for things than we can see with our limited on water vision, other boats, buoy's of one sort or another, divers, whales, dolphins, stray nets, rocks, reefs and what not. Not to mention the plethora of electronic navigational aids, cell phones, radios, radar, and anything or person chatting away with them.  Lets not turn this into a an US versus them, we have enough issues with boat ramps, parking, and issues, lets not turn the Charter guys against us too.

As a last ditch effort you think using a powerful strobe flashlight might get their attention?

Next time I will tried and bring my Acebeam K60 then pointed to the Captain.

Publicly shame him on his Facebook page. And call their office and chew them out. It might have been an accident, but it's like a car rolling a stop sign and almost hitting someone. Not acceptable, and if there are zero consequences for him, he will do it again.

https://www.facebook.com/hulicatfishing/

Publicly shame him on his Facebook page. And call their office and chew them out. It might have been an accident, but it's like a car rolling a stop sign and almost hitting someone. Not acceptable.

https://www.facebook.com/hulicatfishing/

Really?  Why not just give him a call and give him an opportunity to address?  Most of the time, a little education on both sides, goes a long way.

This whole thread has a bad vibe.  I betcha if any one of you was having an incident in the water, Tom would be one of the first to back up to you to help, if he was in the immediate area.  Why burn bridges like this?

-Allen

Fair enough. But if he's defensive or makes excuses, take to social media. I'm a big believer in cyclist, kayaker, and pedestrian rights and safety on roads and waterways, and have had some close calls with reckless boats and cars; I have little patience for bad drivers (of land and water based vehicles). But I suppose you're right that a phone call might be the best first step.

Publicly shame him on his Facebook page. And call their office and chew them out. It might have been an accident, but it's like a car rolling a stop sign and almost hitting someone. Not acceptable.

https://www.facebook.com/hulicatfishing/

Really?  Why not just give him a call and give him an opportunity to address?  Most of the time, a little education on both sides, goes a long way.

This whole thread has a bad vibe.  I betcha if any one of you was having an incident in the water, Tom would be one of the first to back up to you to help, if he was in the immediate area.  Why burn bridges like this?

-Allen

Maybe they need to setup up something like they had a Depoe bay last year. When someone is going thru the chute to get out of the bay a call was communicated to the harbor master . Charters and kayakers were always aware of if someone was heading out or in. Seemed like a great way to handle this.