Re: [Paddlewise] Tangled Up In Blue, Self Rescue in Kleppers & Velcro

Peter Osman asks Doug Lloyd:


<snip>The Paddlewise debate has given me a more balanced view. Doug',
>regarding the details in your story (which I much appreciated). Do you
>remember how the Velcro fastening which failed was made, was it a single
or <snip>

Peter my good man,
I have found out since my post that the velcro arrangement has been
modified on the new leashes by North Water. It was a single wrap around. As
far as I know, it was a good quality Velcro, but repeated use had worn the
female side out (no comments from Deb please). I am a fan of paddle
leashes, so was hesitant to mention the failure, fearing people might shy
away. I've put that leash through hell over the last year or two, including
big hydraulics and silly beach drags where the paddle sans leash was
dragged under the boat -- it never failed. The situation on the Storm
Island crossing may have been due to something on one of the boats catching
the release pull tap, and releasing it prematurely, I'm not sure though as
some details are too foggy -- we really were having a hard time with
equipment, and cold/exhaustion induced brain-deadness. But, I still
maintain that Velcro fastenings need some observation, no matter what the
application, to ensure security of equipment where this is important.  

BTW, "Tangled up in blue" is a song by Bob Dylan. Two refrains go:
 
"We just saw it from different points of view, Tangled up in blue."
"Lord knows I've paid my dues, Tangled up in blue." 

Thought that about said it all with respect to opinions on tethers -- and
my adventures in the deep blue ocean with boat and paddle tethers.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd
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