Re: [Paddlewise] Paddlefloat Reentry: Back or Front?

OK then, some clarification. . . 

At 03:18 AM 6/7/98 -0700, Dave Kruger wrote:

>Ben's method involves attacking the boat-outrigger system from the REAR
>DECK side of the outrigger, which allows looping an ankle over the shaft
>to assist in getting onto the deck. 

        I'm assuming working off the port/left side of the boat: Are we
hooking the ankle of the RIGHT foot over the paddle??? and pulling RIGHT
side of the body on the up on the rear deck? 

>This seemed easier.  Then, he
>rotates his body around a vertical axis to move both legs, in turn, 
>across the outrigger and down into the cockpit (simultaneously his upper
>body moves over to the centerline of the rear deck).  

        RIGHT leg then LEFT leg into the boat? Facing more or less forward?
This means moving the "ankle hook" from the LEFT foot to the RIGHT foot. . .
(gets you up out of the water and at deck level) 

>Rotation of the
>torso around a (more or less) horizontal axis then produces an upright
>position. (Ben's method)

        Quarter turn counter-clockwise into the cockpit? 

        I'm visualizing coming at the re-entry facing the cockpit and
putting legs in the cockpit facing forward while on one's (right) side. Then
a quarter turn counter-clockwise from leaning on the right side to sitting
upright. Brace against out-rigger paddle with left hand. Grip coaming and
paddle with right hand. 

        This would allow seeing the feet and cockpit. . . The quarter turn
is more like the paddle braced entry from dock or shore.  Is this what
you're suggesting? 

        I like this idea a lot. My "other" method includes a pull across the
cockpit and rear deck with the face of the PFD. . . dragging/snagging
everything in the front pockets. Then drifting blind-butt-to-the-bow while
using the Braille method to find the cockpit with one, then both legs.
Finally there's a half turn (clock-wise) from being flopped-out face-down on
the deck to trying to face forward. . . This is where it all comes apart if
you fail to brace against the paddle float while turning around. But hand
grips on the paddle outrigger are wrong for a good brace. . . I end up
practicing a "wet exit" more often then I want to. . . 

        Ben's method sounds ergonomically more efficient! 

        Geo. 

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