Deb, A few thoughts....
On sharks: I don't think that sharks would be a major concern...or even a minor one. Tell me that you are going to be float tubing around the Farallon Islands and I'll change my tune. BUT...don't believe for a second that sharks will only be "out where you won't be float tubing". A lady got hit (and killed) last year about 2 miles from my old town. She was in 15 feet of water - about 75 yards from shore. Although this was seen as an extremely rare circumstance it goes to show that the sharks are out there. Don't take this as alarm...take it as a comforting statement. The sharks really don't care about you. There are so many sharks around (only a few species of which ever bother humans)...and so many people in the water...you're more likely to find an honest politician or lawyer than a shark bent on munching on Deb (no offense intended to any hungry sharks on the list). All this being said...there's something a little creepy about sitting in a Cheerio with your legs dangling down into the soup.... On boats jumping kayaks: It was the boat's fault....or at least the pilot's... I kayak in the ocean frequently and often cross through or paddle in "boating lanes". I have never had a problem...I am also very cautious because I know that a boat may not see me in time to change course (not likely if the pilot is paying attention and not going too fast). Also - I am less maneuverable than the boat (at least with time factored in). So - practice defensive paddling and you'll be much safer. I have only taken my kayak out fishing once...in the harbor where swell wasn't really an issue (I know that the concept of SWELL is a little difficult for you East Coasters...but I'm sure that you've seen pictures). The major inconvenience for me was the wind (I think that you guys have THAT). Without being anchored, I was blown around a bit...made for difficult positioning/stripping. Note that I was fishing for halibut which are typically on the bottom and like to face the shore and wait to ambush smaller fishies....position is important...especially when the caster is inept. After a brief cost-benefit analysis....I think that you should go with the kayak. You can fish with it...but you can also just go out and paddle if you don't feel like fishing. They're great for when relatives come into town (it's difficult to hear a mother-in-law when she's half a mile out to see....difficult to understand a father-in-law when he's three sheets to the wind, but that's another story). Plus...with a kayak it's easier to have that Viking burial that you always wanted.... Chris
