Bill Leonhardt wrote: <snip> I have seen many people carry a two-piece spare on the rear deck. I wonder how hard it is to access this paddle when the need arises. Do you swing around and grab it yourself (maybe in conditions that were rough enough for you to loose or break your primary paddle) or do you expect a paddling partner to get it out? If the rear mounted spare is attached for easy grabbing from the cockpit, will it be washed away by rough water? <snip> I carry a spare paddle at all times, whether paddling in a group or not. I keep my two-piece on the aft deck securely bungied so that it won't come out in the waves or the event that I somehow decide that I'm tired of viewing the world from an upright position. With both of my kayaks it's possible to "loop" the bungie around the shaft for a much tighter hold than merely slipping the paddles under the bungies. The spare is there in the event that I break the main paddle - pretty unlikely while actually on the water actively paddling - more likely while on shore. If I'm in water/wind so bad that it rips the paddle from my hands I'll probably be taking a swim quite shortly (nothing to brace with) so I don't worry too much about getting at the paddle from the cockpit. Even though I don't really anticipate breaking a paddle while "underway", I _can_ get at both pieces and assemble them in just about any conditions that i can stay upright in the boat in. Remember too - a "broken" kayak paddle is still a "paddle" that can be used quite effectively - I use something very similar in my canoe<g>. The issue of front deck/rear deck still has the same problem - how do you "secure" the paddles in such a manner that they won't wash off, but still be easily accessible? Whether front or rear mounted the key is practicing enough so that you know that you can get at the paddles. Dave David Seng / david_at_wainet.com Wostmann & Associates / phone - 907.586.6167 223 Seward St. / fax - 907.586.2996 Juneau, Alaska 99801 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Apr 07 1998 - 13:17:12 PDT
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