Death By Powerboat

This is why I rarely use my yak in waters where there are powerboaters:
http://www.kayakfishmag.com/editors-pick/death-by-powerboat/

its not socially acceptable to state my opinion on what to do with these 2 loosers, just call it population control...

that picture of the kayak is a terrible thing. 

part of the reason I dislike paddling dark colored kayaks.
I used to tell all my first timers that we were "bicycles on the highway". A boat might be legally obligated to give you the right of way, but never count on it because they might be really drunk.

Very sad stories.

I agree with this statement from the article: ""The onus is on paddlers to protect themselves. Paddle defensively and don’t assume anyone shares your efforts to boat responsibly.""

Very sad stories.

I agree with this statement from the article: ""The onus is on paddlers to protect themselves. Paddle defensively and don’t assume anyone shares your efforts to boat responsibly.""

more realistically, no one gives a crap about your ass when you are on their lake.

Another reason to mount a cannon to my kayak. Be safe out there everyone, just like motorcycles, we are invisible.

Wow, very sad story...
I do put up a flag on my yak but I don't know if they even see me.

Very unfortunate ! But, how many time do i have to tell you" no texting!

if anyone on a boat kills me, please take care of that issue, first sink their boat, then make them pay.  

I used to tell all my first timers that we were "bicycles on the highway".

and like cyclists, I recommend not only assume they dont see you, assume they actually WANT to kill you

That is so messed up. So running over a kayak is fine, but running over an AI with sails deployed is not? WTF?

The picture of the shredded kayak was incredible.

Why I don't rely on lights or flags on my boat to let other boaters know I'm there. I'm always absolutely positive that they can't see me, and I make lots of noise, wave my paddle, and/or and shine lights in their faces when they approach. They get all my attention and, often, annoyedly, let me know that they see me.

Then they go by really close and really fast and try to swamp me...

Every time we cross the active boating areas we are in potential danger. We are (many times) not very visible sitting so low in the water. The sun angle, the waves and the background conspire to make us real hard to see.

I've sat fishing on Berryessa in my yak and looked at something that finally caught my eye. It was a large group of touring kayaks that were nearly invisible to me. The ONLY thing I could see was the flashing bright (white/yellow) paddle blades until they got real close. Now imagine Mr. Bass Boat flying by at 60 mph... Or the drunken party boat with speaker racks...   

That made a believer out of me. I stay very close to shore whenever possible. And I want to be broadside with my bright yellow yak when venturing across the danger zone. I don't want skinny side up when I could be run over from behind or in front. My head is moving across the horizon and I'm always listening (not playing music on head phones) for boats.

I've had one real close call when a 14 foot aluminum boat was running at me half-plane with his bow way up. I was ready to bail right before he saw me wave my arms at the last second. I was probably 30-40 feet from shore and he was running through there tight to avoid the larger waves out farther. You just really have to pay attention and assume they do not see you....cause they don't.   

this guy stays cool. I doubt i would have.

Sad stuff; it's hard to think about how much pain is on both side of the story. "Only" 5 years in prison is still a long time time behind bars. Lose-Lose