Matt Broze wrote: > > -----Original Message----- > From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> > > >A couple of thoughts: > > > >--The two Peters mentioned the possibility of tow lines getting tangled > >at the rear of the towing boat. Klepper for years has maintained that > >the flexible flag post that comes with each boat would make a good > >run-through point to avoid that. > > The problem with running the towline through anything fastened near the > stern (or tied near the stern) is that the towed kayak will need to be > controlled by the towed paddler or it will yaw side to side and pull the > stern of the towing kayak over to one side and then the other making control > of the towing kayak far more difficult. The spring loaded mast of the > Klepper might reduce this a little because it would allow greater yaw before > the stern was pulled over (but I don't think you would find it satisfactory > and letting the towed boat yaw further might actually mean more side force > on the stern when the limits are finally reached). Thanks for your insights on this regard yawing, etc. As I said, I never tried this; all I knew it as was a Klepper-sourced suggestion. > > > >--I am surprised at the thought of tethering one's self to your boat > >instead of tethering the paddle or you to your paddle, which are more > >common approaches to tethering. Interesting that it works. > > If I was a solo paddler in high winds, I'd consider tethering myself to the > kayak in case I capsized and failed to roll. Also I think it is much better > to tether the paddle to the boat rather than to your wrist. That way if you > have either the paddle or the boat in your grasp you still have the other > necessary component to resuming paddling. That has always been my approach, i.e. tethered paddle to deck setup. I think Lindemann tethered himself to his Klepper during his cross-Atlantic voyage, at least he did so during his daily wash-up swims. There is a risk of entanglement but the loss of one's boat while alone well out at sea would be a bigger problem. > > > >You used a coiled surfboard leash; I am glad to see it did not entangle > >you. The same is true for the coiled jetski cutoff switch leash I use > >to tether my paddle to the boat. I have had one guru go into a near > >rage when he saw my jetski-origin tether saying it would entangle me but > >it hasn't. I think sturdy, coiled tethers are far superior to the > >bungee cord or regular cord tether...they keep out of the way because > >they are coiled. And even if one gets around your wrist by accident it > >will neither knot up tight on you (like would cord) or stretch to a > >binding grip on you as might bungee tethers. > > My experience with coiled tethers (and telephone cords) is that they tangle > with themselves and sometimes this puts your paddle on a very short leash > indeed. I don't see why a coiled tether wouldn't reach the end of its > stretch at some point just like a shock cord and then possibly wrap tightly > around some part of your body. Either a shock cord or a coiled tether is far > less likely to entrap one as a non-stretchy cord. I have not found this to be so with the tether I use, which is a lightweight one that is used by jetskiers. It hooks between the jetskiers PFD and the kill switch on the jetski, so that if he were to fall off, the engine would automatically be cut off. I used the loop in mine, which is meant to hold the key, and placed my 2-paddle through it before putting my paddle together; it hardly slides at all on the shaft, staying put much better than the velcro used with the bungee tethers. The other end has the snap hook meant for tying to the jetskieers vest; I use it to attach to a deck D-ring. The snap hook is beefier and with a better opening gate than the standard bungee tether sold under the Perception and other names; it will even fit around the massive brass D-ring on the Nautiraid fore of the cockpit. The tether weighs less than the bungee ones available commercially, never snags on anything on my deck like my bungee one has. If I am not using it, it just seems to coil up out of the way while still hanging on the paddle; my wife doesn't like tethering but she does not complain about the jetski tether left on the paddle (she did about the bungee type if left on). I have tried seeing if it would entangle me or wrap around me; it doesn't seem to want to. Regular cord and bungee will however in my experience. > I use about a 30" tether > of 3/16" shock cord that can stretch to twice its length or more (and a > nylon hook). It stores wrapped around the middle of my paddle shaft where it > is always quickly available. It is very lightweight, and opposed to the > coiled kind, doesn't go clack, clack, clack on the deck with every stroke > when in use. My coil one doesn't do that. The official heavier coil type sold for kayaking probably does from how you describe your experience. > Also it never tangles with itself or drags in the water. My coil doesn't either. You should get one from West Marine and see for yourself. > Since > it is tied to the paddle shaft it has a very secure attachment that I trust > more than Velcro. Yes, the official Perception bungee tether uses velcro which I wouldn' have full trust in either. > Tie it tightly enough so it doesn't slide around on the > shaft when you paddle but can be slid to one side should you want to--like > maybe when doing a paddle-float rescue without detatching the tether. It is > simple to make using under $2.00 worth of materials (about 3.5 feet of shock > cord and a $.69 nylon hook. I push the cord through the nylon clip and tie a > figure eight knot to stop it from pulling through the hole. I tie it on the > paddle end with a bowline. Easy to do in advance for a two piece paddle but > difficult to tie under tension to a one piece paddle (tight enough so it > doesn't slide around). The coil I have would not work that well with a one piece paddle either but is real tight on the two piece; I slip it on prior to connecting the two piece paddle. Oh, I think they cost $5.99 if I recall correctly. ralph > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Sep 09 1999 - 21:24:02 PDT
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