Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless
Motor boaters probably do not expect to be sharing the water with a rower in a small rowboat scull at 6:42-am, and are not particularly looking for one, out there, ahead on the water. What they are looking to see are other motor boats. Even a 16' boat with an outboard is much easier to see than a rowing scull.
Is similar to how car drivers do not see a motorcycle because their brain is focused on watching out for other cars.
For increased visibility a row-boater should paint their oars bright white with either an orange or red stripe on the wide blade of the oar. These moving white/orange oars seem to get seen from a distance by the motorboaters a lot better than a dark colored or natural wood stained oar.
Plus there's such a thing as being "dead right" by rowing or paddling in lake areas that have a lot of motorboat traffic. Is best to be rowing in shallow water areas, close to shore, and don't assume the motorboats are all alert and safe boaters.
Thomas Mead, 76 ..... http://www.rebellionresearch.com/tho...on-nh-obituary ..... very sorry for his sudden death by motorboat while out rowing in the early morning on beautiful Lake Winnisquam. |
Former rower here. This is mostly correct. But unlike a kayak or canoe, a racing shell cannot easily operate close to shore--it is too fast and too fragile, and you're facing the stern.
Agreed with your other points, though I would go with day glo orange on the blades and my shirt/hat. I would also look at an auto-inflate PFD. It is amazing to me the way some rowers, paddle boarders and others believe that swimming after an encounter is as easy as doing laps in a pool.