HMB- boats and kayaks

Hi All,
Just wanted to see what everyone's take is but I noticed a lot of boats don't really care about slowing down or taking a different path while around kayaks.
Any one else have the same experience?
Here's a few scenarios:
A buddy of mine and I were fishing south of the first green buoy - almost every boat came around that buoy about 20-30ft next to us at pretty much full speed. Maybe this is a no fish zone? Or a designated path for boats? Idk but I though it was pretty reckless so we left and crabbed the rest of the day closer to shore.

Then I noticed Tuesday a lot of boats plowing out of the mouth at full speed in the no wake zone - what gives?
I would say mostly rec fishing boats and less the commercial guys. Is this a HMB thing?!


Ken

IME it's just the way of things. There are a lot of PB'ers that will give kayaks a clear path, and a lot who won't. We're the ones who would lose a fight with a PB, so it's up to us to pay attention, carry a whistle/foghorn/bright light, hoist a flag, and generally make sure people are aware of our presence. There have been sailboats that went right for me and expected me to get out of the way until I started making a whole lot of noise about it.

My take on this is be aware of the boaters and be prepared to take some wake. It happens everywhere IMO not only hmb. There are so many of us out there now so boats can't always slow down for everyone.

The bouys denote the channel ( b/n green and red). So, if you're fishing in the channel, you need to be cognizant of that.  It's like playing ball in the street, most cars will slow or give you room, but there're some that take the right of way and safety be damned.

I would say that it goes both ways though.  There are knucklehead PBrs that plow too close to kayakers. Then there are kayakers that paddle straight down the middle of the harbor entrance which leaves PBrs dodging and kicking up more wake.

Also, It might be just psychological, but I think PBrs seem to be nicer when I wear my GoPro in my head mount... plus I usually give them a wave.

Yep if you are in the channel you are in the middle of the street. In the SF bay it is way worse even for small PB the tankers and ferries will go on a press planed route and it is you responsibility to get out of the way and out of the wake. They will not come back around to check on you.

Be safe and alert,

Tsuri

Thank you for all your perspectives.  It scares me a bit to hear that a boat caused one of you to go into the water and they didn't check on you. That's terrible!

I understand that the mouth is an area that all kayakers should be very cautious and it seems like common sense to stay closer to the jetty and heave way. It's my first full kayak fishing season so I'm learning the ropes.

It makes sense that the buoys are markers for some sort of lane but there's a whole ocean out there and it seemed like a lot of boaters like to purposely come close to the kayakers as if to make a pt.  I just wanted to see if there are some unspoken animosity that boaters have towards the kayakers. I do wave to them and I respect their size and wake. You never know when you will be needing their help...
Caution caution caution .

Be safe!

I sometimes get the feeling that maybe they figure we are choosing to go out there and play with the big boys so we shouldn't expect special treatment. I am somewhat amused by the boats that slow to half plane and go by making an even bigger wake. I don't think they realize what they're doing. A good number of boaters clearly are trying to take it easy when going by. If I see a boat headed in my direction, I always assume the worst.

The first green buoy marks one of a few safe passages across the reef. The passage extends about 100 yards south from the green buoy. Almost all boats go through that passage. It is best to stay clear of that area. If you fish north of the green buoy, there won't be boat issues but there are more sketchy shallow areas. There is a safer area to fish near the red buoy and decent fishing on big swell days. When you are in the harbor mouth and heading to the reef, stay close to the west jetty. Boats don't slow down for kayakers because they make a bigger wake coming out of plane. I think most boat anglers are pretty respectful of kayakers. Sometimes the commercial guys are a little grumpy but that's a tough job. Run a flag or something to make yourself visible. If it is really foggy, run a stern light and have an air horn ready. I was fishing TC with Jack last year in heavy fog and were close to to being run over by a large party boat out of Bodega. Maritime right of way rules give an unpowered vessel right of way over a powered vessel, however, it is best to always yield right of way. Sometimes on a hot salmon bite, boats may have nobody at the helm because they are fighting fish or messing with their downriggers. I have had problems with drunk recreational boaters during the summer on lakes and the delta which is one of the reasons I only fish salt in the summer.

I am somewhat amused by the boats that slow to half plane and go by making an even bigger wake. I don't think they realize what they're doing.

Yup, I don't want boats to slow down when going by me. Stay up on plane please.

-Allen

Yeah up on plane is better as long as they see you. Several years ago I had a pair~ 30 ft range trawler style cruiser type boats go by me up near 4 mile, one on either side, at just short of up on plane. I didn't go in the water, but could have easily with 2 ft + crossing wakes meeting underneath me. I'm pretty sure they saw me cause they gave  me 50 yds on either side but I don't think they even had a clue that there was a problem.  So yeah, it really pays to pay attention and remember that regardless of right of way rules the big boat wins.

I have seen this from the perspective of both kayaks and powerboats.  I have witnessed safe boating and dangerous boating by both groups. the 2 problem areas are the jetty mouth and the green can.
at the mouth, I believe the power boats should be less zealous throttling up immediately as they clear the no wake zone. many kayaks and very small pb's are scurrying around that area. also, there can be a bright glare off the water in the am.
at the green can, kayakers should stay roughly NW of it, never south or east.  it is a very busy intersection for pb's coming and going.
every powerboat going to or returning from the west or north must make a 90 degree turn there.  once we came across 3 kayakers fishing end to end, south of the can, they took up about 80 feet of the channel area.

At Bodega many PBs don't abide by the no wake zone.  I have paddled in the channel but outside the buoys and numerous PBs have gone past me at full throttle, sometimes less than 50 yards away.

Thanks for starting this thread.  As ocean kayak fishermen we need to keep our priorities sorted.  I suggest we strive to be:

1) Mariners
2) Kayakers
3) Fishermen

In that order.

This topic is about being a mariner.  Understanding the rules of the road and constraints faced by other mariners is a key starting point.  Great examples were provided by others:

1) Know where the channels (reefs, rocks, etc.) are.
2) Know where you are in relation to these constraints.
3) Avoid blocking channels.
4) Use entrances with the other guy in mind.

Reviewing a current marine chart for the area is a great place to start.

On boat wakes:

No other mariner has a responsibility to reduce or modify his wake to make you more comfortable.  Passing safely is about collision avoidance.  You are choosing to paddle in the ocean.  Wakes (and other waves) happen.  Part of planning any safe trip at sea is understanding and being prepared for conditions that can be expected.  If your paddling skills need to be sharpened so you can deal with boat wakes, take a class, or work out in small surf.