Re: [Paddlewise] tethers

Doug,

         Here's a possibly foolish idea FWIW, how about a 8 meter 
"retractable doggy leash..."?  I have not tried one, but that perhaps?  One 
could carry two and hook them together with the clips at their ends so that 
the retractor was at opposite ends.  A simple cleat might prove useful to 
"tie them off" on either boat?

         When you mention a short paddle leash-I must agree heartily-I made 
mine from some "junk being sold for $1 a piece at my local dive shop." 
[squeeze buckles etc...] but since I do not use an... uh... 80deg, of 
set<?>, oh you know-paddle that one uses a control had for, I put mine on 
the left wrist.

         I still and probably always will figure that a wrist-leash is 
better than one attached to the boat...  If I have to exit, I want as much 
with me as I can...

         As far as PFD's go, I also agree with you-In my case, I use a 
[ugh!] waterproof<?not exactly right word?> "fanny pack" that I rotate 'til 
it is in front of me-most of the rest goes in my PFD pockets, 
etc...  SPARES go in another sack either on top of kayak, or below the 
spray skirt...

         Tom...

At 11:39 PM 12/11/99 -0800, you wrote:
>Can't totally picture this system, but in my upcoming article in SK
>Magazine, I highly recommend against such tether arrangements. The only
>thing that should ever go on your wrist is a *short* paddle leash
>connecting your control hand to the paddle. Chri Duff uses a paddle leash,
>and he is in bigger waves (at sea) than most of us.  Shoulderable loops
>have a place for tethering oneself to very open-cockpited kayaks like the
>inflatable ones, but that is it - IMHO.

<snip--->

>My friend, Doug Alderson, wrote an article about using a fannypack survival
>bag you put around your waist if the going gets tough. He was immediately
>trounced on for not mentioning that this arrangement could interfere with a
>lay-back roll. I've wrestled with the issue too, over the years, as I tend
>to paddle solo on exposed coast in rougher stuff. I finally went with
>having everything in/on my PFD.


	
<gadfly_at_tscnet.com>

homepage:
http://www2.tscnet.com/~gadfly/

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************