Yeah Brad--especially those of us in a smaaaall yak--like my Hobie Sport!!!
For most of us on the Forgotten Coast however, alligators are a more immediate problem--although all those that I have encountered so far (only 8 feet or less) don't hang around when I come up on them.
Actually, as you know, manatees can do you and your boat more damage if you happen to pass over them and they surface, not knowing you are there. I always fold my flippers up flat against the hull in such situations and/or quit paddling so I don't make any contact with them if I can help it. So far so good! But at least the manatees are vegetarians!!!
Always sumthin'...!
Sign at one of our most heavily used boat ramps on the Forgotten Coast:
