37 replies to this topic

[Hirilonde]

Unless you are going to do ocean treks I can't see that color for safety purposes will help much. If you capsize in a lake or river I doubt aerial search will be called in. I think orange is so popular cause it makes people feel better. I painted mine colors I thought were pretty. But then I am vain about my boats.

[gorn]

Ocean trecks.... in my dreams for now

[Kudzu]

I know of no kayak that is self-righting which is what you are talking about.

I am with Dave on colors, paint it something you like.It's a much better idea to take some classes and learn how to handle your boat. It's the best money you will ever spend.

No one just jumps in a car and start driving without some training and a boat of any kind should be no different. Everyone needs to know how to enter their boat in deep water if they turn over. It's something we practice from time to time because you never know when you will need it.

[gorn]

Thanks Jeff
Once my kayak is finished, I will be joining my local kayak club, and getting any/all the training I can handle.
Im not planning on drowning just yet

Im with you both on color now, it may still end up orange, quite like it, but would like to do a 2 tone with another colour, but havent seen anything Iiked yet.
Plenty of time to decide

Cheers
Aaron

[Kudzu]

Not a big fan of orange usually. Mainly because so many plastic boats that color. But here is a rowing boat did in orange and cream. I like this a lot.

[DURRETTD]

I agree there's a lot to be said for painting a boat the color you want; but, if you think you may some day put your boat into water with power boats be sure it's highly visible! I live in a tourist area (Northwest Florida) and I don't trust once-a-year boaters to remember there are others on the water. I've painted my first SOF Safety Yellow (rustolium) and I paint my paddle blades fluorescent green. So far I've not been run down. Whether or not the bright paint has helped is difficult to prove. For me, it's preferable to learn to like a bright or even gaudy paint job and slightly reduce the risk of being run down.

On the subject of paint: Rustoleum is great! It's easy to find, easy to use, and tough.

Dan

[DURRETTD]

Here's another indispensable safety feature for every kayak.

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[FloatingBear]

Aaron go to Jeff's Site and look at his Curlew! Burnt Orange, White and Black striped. A very nice looking boat!

[Hirilonde]

..... and I paint my paddle blades fluorescent green. 

This I can see helping if you are worried about being seen by other boaters.

[gorn]

Had a look at the Curlew, thanks for the suggestion

I would want a brighter orange, pretty well the same orange as high visibilty hunting camo.

Yes there will be times that power boats are around, though not crowded as such.

 

I did a test run with Microsoft Paint for what Im thinking will suit me.

I ended up with black bottom, bright orange deck, and a silver pin stripe that runs the entire length of the boat, dividing the main colours.

Looks good to me

 

 

Cheers

Aaron

[P Douglass (WA)]

That looks FINE! 

[gorn]

Thank you

[P Douglass (WA)]

Just as a thought though, when I built my kayak, I thought of painting the bottom orange, with the word "HELP" written on it in black!

[woodman]

I have come to like a translucent finish so the frame shows through on sunny days....

 

 skin-on-frame-kayak-carry.jpg   41.06K   9 downloads

[Kudzu]

I have to admit after seeing it I like the color combination. But I still say it's going to make minimal difference in you being seen.

 

Went Geo-caching out on the lake today and my buddy didn't listen and didn't come prepared. So he cut it short and head back while I went on looking for the caches. I was thinking about this and watching him head across the water. His boat is a bright turquoise color and while I could see it, HE and his PADDLE were still much more visible than the boat. The motion of the paddles is by far the most eye catching.

 

They are ugly but a friend added yellow strips on the blade of his black paddle. Looks like a bumble bee, but they really stand out on the water. With someone paddling it really is noticeable.

 

I have some photos of him I took going across the lake but they are still on my camera. Paint it what ever you want! I am not trying to change your mind.  I just want to realize understand that boat color isn't going to make much difference. Your PDF and Shirt are much more important items to being seen. Remember you boat is inches above the water and the body and paddle are 2-3 feet high. So if you paddling in area that your that concerned about being seen, concentrate on the clothing colors.

[gorn]

P Douglas

made me laugh

 

Woodman

The only translucent colour I really like, is white. That orange is the nicest I have seen in that shade though.

 

Jeff

Im not so much concerned about beeing seen when Im still in the kayak (though that is important) , as much as being found when Im  out of it.

If the worst happens, someone may find the kayak, and it may be a guide to the area Im in (I say may, as water is always moving)

Or if for whatever reason, the kayak is broken , and Im using the remains as buoyancy, it will be more visible.

 

Anyhoo, besides all that, Ive very much come to like the colour combo, which is the most important part

 

Im planning on a high vis orange or yellow PFD, but my paddle will be a greenland, so will be natural wood.

Im going to have a crack at making my own, but if I fail I am happy to buy one

 

My next challenge is sourcing the Birch plywood here, Im expecting it to have to be ordered in, but am hoping like crazy that it will be available before Christmas.

Im wanting to be building over Christmas, so fingers crossed.

 

[Hirilonde]

 ...................as much as being found when Im  out of it.

If the worst happens, someone may find the kayak, and it may be a guide to the area Im in (I say may, as water is always moving)

 

 

I am curious.  Where are you going to be that it will be difficult to find you hours after you capsize or what ever and can't get back into your kayak?  

 

If being found in a large possible search area is really a concern, like for open water ocean treks, I would consider carrying an epirb, strobe, flares and/or dye?  These will be far more effective than an orange kayak.

[gorn]

Hirilonde

We have a lot of remote river systems that I want to explore here.

From what I can see, not much traffic away from the town areas.

Mostly though, its just that majority of the time I will be solo, and have a strong exploring urge no matter the transport Im using.

So at this stage, Im at no risk really, so far as needing the colour for what I have explained.

But I really wouldnt want to be repainting in 6 or 12 months time.

 

As an example, I ride offroad motorbikes, and I have yet to see another motorcycle where I ride, and I have been in that general area for over 2 years now.

Maybe once every 3 months I will see a 4WD vehicle.

The more remote it is, the more I like it.

Its more dangerous if something bad happens, but its a calculated risk too.

 

As far as the other safety items you mentioned, I will be at the minimum getting an Epirb once I start ocean kayaking, or getting into remote areas where people are not regularly around.

 

Thanks for the advice on the safety gear, as I had not considered a strobe, or flares.