Pork,

Not sure if you have seen the rowers in the Ohio, but I used to fish there 3 or 4 days a week. They treat it like its their own private lake. They row 4 and 5 boats wide, yielding to nothing but coal barges.

I used to fish the back channel of the Ohio 2-3 times per week, and they were always there. They seemed to always be out of casting range from shore. I also had my boat stored at a marina there too. I never had any issue going around them, and made sure to avoid fishing around them. They are pretty fast, and moving in a pretty straight line, so never really had an issue going around. Of course, I had to yield to them, and drop to no wake speed, which I believe can be found in your boating regulations. PIA sure. Dangerous, only to those breaking the law, not wanting to yield.

Not always the case, just comparing to a recreational motor boat (which is basically the bottom of navigation priority). All boats, have priority over fishermen in a navigational waterway (which you'll find out if floating something like the Yough, most wading fishermen do not aggree with). Just avoid as much as possible, and go to their back side if possible. Military vessles always have the right of way, including coast guard (probably good idea to give to PFBC/DCNR & local police too). I also believe commercial vessels have the right of way over non powered (barges/tug boats don't have good brakes or steer very easily). Also note, that most recreational boaters do not know or follow most rules (I'm sure that I don't always either). So try to use as much common sense as possible. If crossing a lake, river, ect. with motor boats, and see one coming, try to avoid it's path. If you are retying your line or grabbing a sandwich, ect. toss an anchor out, or make sure noone is near. It's amazing how far the wind or current will push you in a kayak. There are jerks that think they should only have to go in a straight line. I've had some old timer cut between me and about 20 feet to shore, which I was fishing in that direction, on a lake with about 1/2 mile of open water behind me... But it saved him 30 seconds to get to his fishing hole.

http://www.boat-ed.com/pa/pa_internet.htm

My kayak is unpowered, no offense taken. lines out make it difficult to move out of their way with 15 seconds time to get out of their way. especially without getting lines caught in their motor boat props when the have a motor boat coming on the left and right. 4 wide , head on, not watching where they are going, I'm a sitting duck who doesn't want to go for a swim in 35 degree waters.

ORIGINAL: Porktown

No offense, but unpowered water craft, have the right of way. Although, they should use common curtesy. I have had many situations with sail boats on Arthur, that clearly had no control over their vessels. I do my best, to figure out where they are going, and do a huge loop out of their way. I have sat for 10+ minutes waiting for some boats to do what they are going to do... I figure they are just learning. The sailboats with motors going, that expect you to yield, get under my skin a bit though.

I'll try to loop around the paddlers too. Although, they have much more control, and not very fast moving, so never really had any issues. Unless I am in some confined space, where I know, going around means a prop full of salad or bottoming out. I am not exactly sure what happened in your situation, but not sure how 4 wide is dangerous?