[Paddlewise] Decklines

Peter Carter wrote:
> As for the decklines, use real rope, at least 6mm. There was recently a
> ruckus here when the owner of a CD Storm complained to the manufacturers
> about the 4mm decklines on it: remember 6mm is the accepted minimum, and
> bigger is better. (For the Australian 'standards', see
> <www.canoesa.asn.au/ed/seakayak.html>.)
>
Thanks for the link, Peter.

This raises a question that I'd like to toss out for the collective wisdom -
that of decklines.  The  site referenced above indicates that a minimum of 6
mm line should be used for decklines, and that the decklines attachment
points to the hull should be no further than 75 cm (29.5 inches) apart.

My boat differs from these guidelines, as it is outfitted with 5 mm (3/16
inch) towlines that double as a deck lines - both front and back.  This is a
workable system, even though the attachment points are at cleats/loops near
the cockpit and at the bow/stern fittings, which translates into attachment
point separations of 190cm (75") in front, and 170cm (67") in the rear.  My
bow deckline can be deployed as a tow line of either 190cm or 571cm (225")
length, with its attachment point at the bow fitting of my boat.  The stern
deck/tow line can be deployed as a towline of either 340cm (134") or 680cm
(268"), has a shock-absorbing two foot length of thick elastic cord built in
to the line, and is attached to a cleat on the deck just behind the cockpit,
near the side (no rudder).

Having a deckline system do double duty as a tow system makes sense, as less
equipment is carried on deck, and it's *always* there.  Of course, a bigger
diameter deckline is easier on the hands for the person holding onto
the line, either for rescuing a so-equipped boat, or for having a swimmer
hanging on to a so-equipped rescue boat.

Is there some reason why towlines should not do double duty as decklines (or
vice versa)?  The only downside that I have experienced is that it takes
some assistance to reattach the towline as a deckline once it has been
deployed.  I can also imagine that if I were to use my bow-attached towline
for a backwards tow, it would be difficult to release from my boat in the
case of an emergency - as it's tied into the bow fitting, which is out of
reach from the cockpit. The stern tow line can be more easily released from
the cleat just aft of the cockpit, and is within easy reach of a knife.
Even with the inability to easily release a backward tow from the bow, I
*do* like the idea of having one (set of) line(s) do double duty.

I recall that there was a discussion on tow lines a while back, but I don't
recall any discussions on deck lines.  What do PW'ers use for decklines??

Regards,
Erik Sprenne



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