[Paddlewise] High and Low Towing and Towing Gadget

I have modified my towing arrangements through the years and finally settled
several years back on two separate towing lines.  One line is attached to my
PFD via a standard towing belt, release.  This line is about 17ft long and is
3/16 inches in diameter and has a stainless clip attached.  It is stowed in my
right vest pocket.  I use this exclusively for emergency towing and anchored
rescues.  I personally hate towing from the waist and I dislike even more
towing from the chest.  Every stroke becomes, in essence, a sit-up.  A short
or emergency tow is OK but anything longer and I don't use this system.  On my
back deck is a fairlead and a cam cleat.  This is where I mount my long
distance towing kit.  This is made up of a pouch with a 40ft tow line and SS
clip, a tow belt (in case someone else needs to use it) and a "tail" that
threads through the fairlead and camcleat.  The fairlead is mounted as close
to the cockpit as is practical so that while towing I am pulling from the
center of the boat and still have full manueverability.  In nasty conditions
it is almost impossible to maintain control if you are towing from or near the
end of your stern.


Gadget:


A really nifty gadget that is handy for towing can be made from a couple short
pieces of rope and 3 caribeeners (sp?).  Cut two pieces of rope of equal
length (about 12-14 inches when completed - therefore start with pieces about
24 inches long) and splice or tie a loop in both ends of each piece.  Next,
loop one caribeener through one eye of each line.  At this point you have a
caribeener with the two pieces of line hanging from it.  Next, put the
remaining two caribeeners through one each of the two remaining ends.  (A
caribeener with two pieces of line hanging from it with a caribeener hanging
from the end of each piece.)  The gadget is now complete.   To use it clip one
of the end caribeeners to the perimeter deck line on one side of the victims
bow then reach under the bow and clip the other end caribeener on the opposite
deck line.  Attach your tow line to the center caribeener and tow.


The great advantage of towing with this gadget is that it because you are now
towing from a lower point on the bow it slightly raises the bow of the boat
you are towing and thus it will track easily straight behind you.  If you
instead tow from the victims grab loop or the deck lines the victims boat has
a tendency to pull first to one side and then to the other.  Using this will
save a tremendous amount of energy if you need to tow for any extended time.





John Winskill





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