RedactedNarrative: Owner/operator was traveling at approximately 20 mph in an area of the lake he had not been in since the previous year.  At the last moment he noticed waves breaking over Gull Reef Island.  He attempted to turn the boat away from the reef.  As the boat turned, it struck the reef and he was thrown out of the boat.  He did not have the emergency engine cut off lanyard attached to himself so the vessel continued in a westerly direction unmanned.  He was wearing a life jacket and was picked up by another boater.  The vessel was recovered after beaching itself in North Hero.  Failure to keep a proper lookout and inattention was the cause of this accident.  Gull Reef is a properly marked navigation hazard.