>From: "Rob Cookson" <rob_cookson_at_mindspring.com> SNIP My personal preference is a tow system that is an integral >part of my p.f.d. SNIP >I prefer this system to a boat mounted system for a number of reasons. It >allows me to maintain good directional control of my boat. It keeps the >tow-line up and out of the way so that it doesn't snag on deck clutter such >as a spare paddle or foul on the stern. It is extremely frustrating to >have >a tow-line fouled on some part of your stern deck. I also like having the >quick release right there in front of me. SNIP >Cheers, >Rob Cookson Hi Rob, There's a local (to me) Canadian company that has just come out with a throwbag/towline system specifically designed for sea kayaks. It has a bungi across a bight in the line for shock-absorption and for keeping the tension constant. The attachment to the tower's boat is a narrower webbing belt that wraps around under the cockpit rim. A mini-version of the sort of quick-release buckle used on PFD tow systems sits at the front of the cockpit rim. This idea appeals to me because: 1. I don't like the idea of being suddenly jerked around by an attachment around my chest. 2. I'm imagining that because the attachment point of the towing line to the towing boat is lower to the water, there will be less backwards leverage working against you as tension comes on the line (considering the length of the imaginary lever to be roughly from sea level to whatever height above water it is attached to the towing boat at.) I'd be interested in your thoughts on the pros and cons of such a system. Philip Torrens N49°16' W123°06' *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Phillip and All, > -----Original Message----- > From: Philip Torrens [mailto:skerries_at_hotmail.com] > There's a local (to me) Canadian company that has just come out with a > throwbag/towline system specifically designed for sea kayaks. It > has a bungi > across a bight in the line for shock-absorption and for keeping > the tension > constant. The attachment to the tower's boat is a narrower > webbing belt that > wraps around under the cockpit rim. A mini-version of the sort of > quick-release buckle used on PFD tow systems sits at the front of the > cockpit rim. This idea appeals to me because: That sounds like the North Water tow system. If it is, I have seen it but never had the chance to try it out. > 1. I don't like the idea of being suddenly jerked around by an attachment > around my chest. You might be surprised at how little force you feel on your body even in rough conditions. I have never found it bothersome enough to make me want another system. > > 2. I'm imagining that because the attachment point of the towing > line to the > towing boat is lower to the water, there will be less backwards leverage > working against you as tension comes on the line (considering the > length of > the imaginary lever to be roughly from sea level to whatever height above > water it is attached to the towing boat at.) Do you think this will really make a noticeable difference? > > I'd be interested in your thoughts on the pros and cons of such a system. > > Philip Torrens I've always felt a little funny about having a line around my coming. Now, this is just a superstition of mine and nothing else, I just don't care for the idea. What I would perceive as the real disadvantage is the tow line fouling on the towing boats stern deck or, if so equipped, the rudder. I have seen this happen and unfortunately it happened in some really nasty stuff. Once the line is fouled you sacrifice a _lot_ of control to the boat in tow. What's really frustrating is that it is very hard to clear this kind of fouling yourself. I'm going to offer the obvious suggestion, that is maybe you could try both systems and see what you prefer. If you don't have access to the North Water rig you could certainly imitate it by simply using a piece of line around the coming. This wouldn't have a quick release but for a simple evaluation in flat water I would be comfortable with that. I don't know if this helped shed any light on the situation for you or not. Happy Paddling, -- Rob Cookson 3 Hats Design INTERNET PRINT ILLUSTRATION 5201 15 Ave NW Suite 220 Seattle, WA 98107 206.851.8202 direct line 206.784.1641 main office phone 206.784.2231 main office fax mailto:rob_at_3hats.com http://www.3hats.com > N49°16' W123°06' > > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:11 PDT