Re: [Paddlewise] Decklines

Peter Treby  <ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au> wrote:
> I use 8mm decklines, which run around the edges of the fore and aft decks,
> but not beside the cockpit. Toggles at the ends of the boat are spliced in
> to the decklines.
>
I probably didn't describe my system well enough - my deck/tow lines also
run at both edges of the boat (but not next to the cockpit), both fore and
aft:

Bow:
The line is tied to the bow toggle attachment point, runs back along one
edge of boat to an attachment fitting (not sure of proper name, but its a
plate with an inverted U loop), where a spring clip (that slides on the
line) attaches the line to the fitting.  The line then continues back to the
bow, through the loop that attaches the line to the bow toggle fitting, and
then runs back along the other edge to a similar U fitting on the other
side, attached again with a spring clip in a loop at the end of the line.
There is just enough slack in the line to allow for the detachment of one of
the spring clips.  For the shorter tow line, only the spring clip at the
bitter end of line is detached, and for the longer tow line, the spring
clips on both sides are detached, allowing the full length of the line to
play out.

Stern:
Two cleats were attached to the deck, just behind the cockpit, at both edges
of the boat.  The tow/deck line attachment point is at one of these cleats.
The line then runs back along one edge to the stern toggle attachement loop,
back up the other edge to just behind the cockpit, around the cleat, and
then back again through the stern toggle attachment loop and back to the
first cleat, where the first loop of a double loop in the bitter end fits
over the cleat.  This system has some 'give' to it because there is an
elastic damper in the first length of line nearest the original attachment
point consisting of a heavy piece of elastic cord.  The deck/tow line is
attached to both ends of this elastic cord, and is loosely spiral-wound
along the length of the elastic shock cord.  To deploy the tow line, the
loop in the bitter end is removed from the cleat on one side, and the line
is removed from around the cleat on the other side, allowing the full length
of the line to play out.  For the shorter tow line, the bitter end of the
tow line is passed through the towee's bow loop, and then back to one of the
cleats, and for the longer tow line, the full length of the line is used,
with a carabiner attaching the line to the towee's bow loop.


> These advantages come to mind:
> 1. a swimmer can use the edge decklines to move along the boat, or move
the
> boat along, more easily than with a central, relatively loose towline.
>
Ditto

> 2. a rescuer in a T rescue can reach the deckline on the far side of the
> boat and use that to hold the victim's boat steady during re-entry
>
Ditto, although my system may have a bit more 'slop'.  But I prefer to hold
the cockpit rim when assisting someone in a re-entry.

> 3. there is a line at most points around the boat to grab it when
retrieving
> the boat after a surf swim
>
Ditto

> 4. various bungies and straps can be attached to the decklines for
attaching
> paddlefloats, spare paddles, hatch tethers, deck bags, kitchen sink etc.
>
One of the reasons that I have this system is so I don't have to load up the
deck with the 'kitchen sink'.  (I do have elastic cords to hold a spare
paddle and a water bottle, and another cleat in front of the cockpit is my
paddle tether attachment point.)

> 5. a variable attachment point is available for short tow ropes, when a
very
> short tow is used with the towed paddler's boat overlapping the rescuer's
> boat half a hull.
>
Ditto.

> However, I haven't tried the system you describe. Have you found your
> towline to be too short if towing in swells? I feel that a 15 metre
towline
> is about right to avoid the towed boat surfing into the back of the tower.
>
Most of my paddling is done on the Great Lakes (Michigan and Superior), and
we don't have much swell to contend with, although the wind can kick up some
pretty good sized waves.  The few times I've used the tow line there have
not been any problems, but I've not towed anyone through surf.  I also carry
a throw line that can be used as a longer tow line.

Regards,
Erik

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