I went for a kite at a inland lake recently. I found a nice little spot that works well for northerlies that i'm planning to use occasionally during the week and possibly on the weekends. At this particular lake there are sections designated for speed boats and sail boats. The spot I found happens to be in the speed boat area. Do the restrictions apply to kiting as well? It doesn't really matter during the week because the place is literally deserted but I don't want to go there on weekends if i'm likely to be harassed by goons in speed boats.. thanks.
If you're kiting in the speed boat area (i'm assuming it's a ski area or similar?) then of course there will be speed boats there during busy periods (i.e. weekends). As far as legality / restrictions / regulations go, well it would be a bit more helpful if we knew which state (or even country for that matter) you were in.
I would say kite would be classed as a sailboat. If there are exclusion zones for sailboats in the ski area ...stay out of there and you should be good.
Absolutely speed restrictions apply to all water craft. The cops have taken a hard line on all sailing craft here on the Gippsland Lakes . Yachts have been intercepted during races and told to slow down. There used to be a yacht race around Raymond Island , this is no longer permitted as speed restrictions apply in the straits. The races have to be started out in the lake.
There is a guy with a hydrofoil moth down here who has trouble getting out into the lake due to the nature of the hull. I've been windsurfing kiting in these areas for over 30 years now , never an incident. We try our best to comply, give way to everything, despite the days we're out there's generally not another boat in sight.
Be aware of the No Boating Zones , I had a sly Ports and Harbours guy taking pics of me last year threatening to hand them over to the police because i went into one of these areas.
Anyone wishing to kite in the Paynesville area should avoid launching from the foreshore area unless you are very experienced as you will have to avoid the no boating zone then avoid exceeding 5knots until you enter the unrestricted area. The 5 knot restriction area runs east from the end of the Progress Jetty to the point of Raymond Island. We hope any visiting kiters here will respect this law and avoid a fine.
dan111984 said.. The spot I found happens to be in the speed boat area... but I don't want to go there on weekends if i'm likely to be harassed by goons in speed boats.. thanks.
I have no idea where you are talking about but if you were kiting in the speedboat area while boats are out I'd be thinking you would the goon on a kite, not the other way around?
It's a very big lake. It wouldn't be hard to stay well away from boats. If kiters are in the same category as sail boats then I guess I will stay away on the weekends.
