unsafe kayaker in SC...

Today was the third time I've seen a specific middle-aged Asian guy launch his inflatable from the boat ramp in Santa Cruz. I'm not sure exactly what kind of craft he pilots, but I think it looks a lot like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-Quikpak-K1-1-Person-Kayak/dp/B00EVII3BK

Whatever it is, it's extremely short, wide, SUP-like, and does not look very sea-worthy.

This morning, I launched exactly at first light (5:25am) and he launched before me. For no apparent reason, he launches from the south side of the boat ramp, which is the busier side, between powerboats. Today was a super-busy Sunday (lots of PBs and tons of commercial boats too), and I'm sure he pissed off a few boaters before he got underway. He had a headlight, but was nearly invisible from behind. He fishes the area around Steamer Lane, which is a pretty impressive distance, given what he's paddling.

I caught up with him a ways out of the harbor and tried to stay fairly close for a while, so that he wouldn't get run over. But, as you can imagine, he was pretty slow, so that didn't last too long. When I passed him by, I got close and asked if he has a radio, and he said no. I already knew he didn't have a radio, as I asked him about it the last time I saw him on the water.

That guy makes me nervous, but all I can think of to do is to keep asking him about his non-existent radio. Maybe if other kayakers who see him do the same, he'll get the message and buy one...

Someone might drown.  Ok.... n the meantime how was the fishing?  Let's get to the important stuff here man!

Seriously, appreciate your concern and the call out.  I'll talk to the Harbormaster who is a very very cool dude, and alert him to the unsafe boater.  Maybe a badge and a gun will convince the guy to get a radio.  Don't even want to ask if he was wearing a pfd...

Bushy

Also start asking him what his plan is if he springs a leak.  Fish spines and hooks - what could go wrong?...

Why not carry it down the stairs and launch near the spot your fishing if your going to venture out in an inflatable.

Also start asking him what his plan is if he springs a leak.  Fish spines and hooks - what could go wrong?...

Ask him if his affairs are in order.  We've had three boating fatalities in the last 6 months here in Humboldt that, when it comes down to it, were ultimately caused by unsafe operators.

Why not carry it down the stairs and launch near the spot your fishing if your going to venture out in an inflatable.

Cause he's a KOOK. Am I being unkind?

I ran into this similar situation a couple of times at Halfmoon Bay. One time, two Chinese guys launching their cheap rubber raft from the old pier in their jeans with no PFD and no VHF. They carried one crab pot and two rods with them. I confronted them and explained to them how absurd the situation was, but they didn't care. They just wanted to bring home some crabs and rock fish. I told them you may not go home ever. They told me to STFU. I hope they survived. I have encountered that type of stubborn people many times. They're not gonna learn until it's too late. Just let evolution do its thing.

Why not carry it down the stairs and launch near the spot your fishing if your going to venture out in an inflatable.

Cause he's a KOOK. Am I being unkind?

Probably a fair assessment.

He'd be way better off launching from Mitchell's Cove, but I'm guessing he doesn't know it exists (or he might just want to avoid a beach launch at all cost). If he insists on a harbor launch, the A or F dock would make way more sense, or he could even launch from the SUP area on the boat ramp side. Anything that would avoid  being sandwiched between powerboats in the dark would be an improvement. Even on my AI with the sail sticking 16 feet in the air, it can be an adventure getting away from the dock.

Btw, the first time I saw him, I tried to get him to take my spare VHF, but he wasn't interested. So far, I've only been able to talk to him on the water. I'm thinking that pre-launch there would be a better chance to reason with him...

That guy has probably more time on the water in Viet/china-wherever he came from than 90% of us. Did it all there with no safety net and figgures if he dies, oh well. Welcome to cold water bud! He may never listen, keep trying though. Gotta love the passion too get out there though.

Even on my AI with the sail sticking 16 feet in the air, it can be an adventure getting away from the dock.

Pun intended?

Bouché

Leave him alone.   It's natures way of culling the herd.

Gotta love the passion too get out there though.

Exactly. Just thinking about paddling that thing he pilots a couple miles makes my back hurt...

Leave him alone.   It's natures way of culling the herd.

yeah I'vesaid it before I used to talk to every single kayak angler I saw, startingwith Brian G who is now known as Mr Greenjeans or something like that. Oliver overalls?  Old pants?

anywayI was very free with my advice regaring safety.  I felt like any kayak fishe3rman represented us all and please don't be a kook.  NowadaysI may something to someone  just once, but I don't repeat.  I just make sure I'm not fishing near them so I don't feel obligated to do the inievitable rescue. there'sa always kooks they aren't going to listen and then some of them die.  Kayks and PBe3rs and dsurfcasters alike...

One respectful conversation is a good moral yardstick I think.

Bushy

Had a dude paddle out the the rock out of Pacific City (Oregon) no pfd on, I asked if he had one on board…” oops I forgot it in my truck” I politely said “can you go fish several hundred yards away, unless your going back to get it” he said “why”, I said “cuz I don’t want to have to try to save your ass with no flotation in jeans and a tee shirt, while hypothermia sets in promptly after you flip” ….he thought for a second and said “I’ll be back “ and paddled back to shore! He never came back out m, one of the dory guys said he rolled on landing and was shivering like crazy and had to get help dragging his boat back to his rig. Almost a Darwin there!

Had a dude paddle out the the rock out of Pacific City (Oregon) no pfd on, I asked if he had one on board…” oops I forgot it in my truck” I politely said “can you go fish several hundred yards away, unless your going back to get it” he said “why”, I said “cuz I don’t want to have to try to save your ass with no flotation in jeans and a tee shirt, while hypothermia sets in promptly after you flip” ….he thought for a second and said “I’ll be back “ and paddled back to shore! He never came back out m, one of the dory guys said he rolled on landing and was shivering like crazy and had to get help dragging his boat back to his rig. Almost a Darwin there!

Perfect illustration!