'The gun punt Maalesh II was built in 1939.
Gun punts were designed for hunting wildfowl in shallow water,
mud, and reed beds. Both paddles and sails were fitted.
The large gun was fired by pull-cord after aiming, and
its recoil would push the boat backward at significant speed.
'

REPLY: John.... BOY, that is one mean lookin' gun ! Dang...its
nearly the length of my kayak . Id be afraid of the recoil knocking me
overboard . Matt .... I dont think id take aim at anothers Boat
UNLESS he was purposely trying to do me in ... and then id have to be
very certain about it such as him circling around for another strike.
If i get into a scenario where a Boat is coming and he doesnt see me in
my kayak, I think i shall immediatly unclip my Life Jacket and dive
deep . A couple years ago on a lake nearby , the Mayor of a small
town was in the water swimming in the middle of the lake and went
underwater for a bit ; when he came to the surface , his head hit the
spinning propeller of a Boat that was passing over him right at that
moment. Killed him instantly and not a pretty sight im sure.

Hope i have far better luck in my sitting-duck Kayak.

Dave