[Paddlewise] end of the line

Using the crotche knots on a doubled 50ft electrical cord works nice.  It
avoids tangles, once you get the hang of it.  The crotche knotted line is a
series of slip knots secured at the end with a non-slip knot.  This last
knot would probably be quite hard to untie after being significantly loaded.
Untieing it, if it could be done one handed, would require freeing the end.
Unless there's a method I'm not seeing it would be better to use a stuff
sack to feed the rope and a belay device and one of those 2 pronged deck tie
off thingamajigs.  That's landlubber lingo.  It's probably called a cleat so
that's what I'll call it.

                cleat    (attached to the right side within view and reach)
                    /
                  /
                /        (coil and secure line with a half hitch: releasable
w/o untieing from cleat)
              /
            /
belaying device    (clipped in to towing point behind you)
            |
            |
            |                (coil and secure)
            |
            |
                load

The rope between the load and belaying device would be difficult to hand
feed, so coil it, and secure it somewhere handy with your minimum length of
line.  20ft of 1/4in nylon deployable, with another18-30 in the bag would be
good.  Throw the towee the line, and while they are tieing off, you untie
and arrange on your skirt the other coil.  Start towing and the line will
self feed, if not have the towee back paddle and hold your hand behind your
back to release the belay braking.  If the towee can't padde, feed the line
into the water letting it trail behind (it's still tied off to the cleat you
know).

Mike

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