RE: [Paddlewise] Spare paddle

Elaine wrote:
If the only place you can carry a spare paddle and be able to reach it from
the cockpit is behind you, what would you do- carry it there but remove it
if you capsize? I am now considering stowing it in the boat. Downside to
that?

The downside to stowing a paddle in the boat is that you can't get it
quickly. I'm assuming you're talking about putting it in a storage area
accessible through a hatch. If, like me, you usually paddle with a friend,
your friend can retrieve your spare paddle much quicker than you.  However,
if you're in really busy seas, retrieval can become, to put it mildly, real
interesting.

Another plus side of rudders is that you can paddle with a broken paddle
much, much easier.  It's not difficult to paddle on one side for a long time
while using the rudder to stay on course (until you can get to a place where
the seas are calm enough to retrieve your spare paddle.)

Cheers,
Dave

Dave Williams
dave_at_paddleasia.com
http://paddleasia.com
Phuket, Thailand

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