Re: [Paddlewise] Decklines

> Thanks for the fuller description of your system.
> I suppose your boat does not have a rudder to interfere with the towline
at the
> stern?
>
It does not

> After the towline has been deployed, and while on the water, do you have
to have
> assistance from another paddler to replace the lines in their original
setup
> positions? This might be a disadvantage on a long crossing with towing
required
> at times, followed by a big surf landing with a swim in... you might not
have
> your decklines.
>
Yes, assistance is needed to reset the tow lines into deck lines.  The stern
line can be removed rather than being reset as a deck line, or recovered and
stowed.  The bow line cannot be removed, but can be recovered and stowed
until it can be reset.

> As Peter Carter points out, both the decklines and the towing
> system might be required at the same time.
>
Good point, although I've not run into this situation - yet - and I don't
care to.

>On towlines, the bungy shock absorber seems important. There is a
description of
> a "combat" tow situation at http://www.tassie.net.au/~lford/bassdunn.htm
> reinforcing the need for a shock absorbing link.
>
Nice story, and great trip!
I wonder whether a double in-line tow - even if the bungee shock absorbing
links were present - is more effective than swtching off on single tows?
Seems to me that the slack and shock cycling is bad enough with a single tow
system, but that a double in-line tow would result inso much jerkiness that
it would be uncomfortable for the towers, and also waste a lot of energy in
dealing with the three-body slack and shock cycles.  Any comments on the
relative merits of single vs. double-in-line tows?

I appreciate the comments of both Peters on the topic of decklines.  I have
volunteered to hold a rescue training session for our club in mid-July, and
decklines will certainly be one of the topics covered.  The site that Peter
Carter referenced (www.canoesa.asn.au/ed/seakayak.html) has the most
detailed information about decklines that I've seen.    If anyone can point
me towards any other information on the Internet about decklines and/or tow
systems, I would appreciate it.

Regards,
Erik Sprenne


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