PaddleWise by thread

From: Evan Easton <evan_at_eeaston.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 18:02:04 -0500
What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
rigging?  I'm ordering a Romany Explorer, and I'd like to get that added
level of safety that comes with the paddle-float rigging.  The boat has a
day hatch and the stock rear-deck rigging is setup for storing a spare
paddle.  There are no bungies that could support a paddle in a rescue.

Since I'm ordering the boat with some extra options and will likely have to
wait for it to be built :-(, I was considering having the deck fittings
customized to allow the crossed bungies between the day hatch and the rear
hatch.  Has anyone done this with their boat?  My initial concern is that
the paddle would be too far back on the boat, and it would not sufficiently
support my weight as I climb back on the boat.  Does anyone else think this
could be a problem?

For that matter, has anyone tried putting the bungies right behind the
cockpit where the day hatch is?  With the VCP hatch cover, would it even be
possible to slip the blade over the hatch cover and under the lines?  Is
this worth even considering, or should I order the boat with stock fittings
and play around myself with a drill and some bolt-on fittings once I get the
boat?

All experiences, facts, and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

Evan

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 20:54:52 -0400
Evan Easton wrote:

> What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
> hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
> rigging?  I'm ordering a Romany Explorer, and I'd like to get that added
> level of safety that comes with the paddle-float rigging.  The boat has a
> day hatch and the stock rear-deck rigging is setup for storing a spare
> paddle.  There are no bungies that could support a paddle in a rescue.

Rather than going with a conventional criss-cross bungie arrangement
for self rescue, you might consider an alternative rigging to avoid
interference with the day hatch cover.  One that comes to mind uses
a couple of  T cleats and a couple of jam cleats.  A line loops over the
paddle shaft (rather than the blade) and engages the cleats.  Impossible
to describe without a picture - and easier to understand if it's actually
demonstrated.

Advantages are that it takes up less deck real-estate.  Disadvantages are
that there are fiddly bits on the deck to catch on, it uses the shaft instead
of the blade - hence you have less leverage, and probably others.

I wish I could give you a url to a picture but I can't find one.  However, if
you look at page 54 of the Oct 99 issue of Sea Kayaker, there's a photo
(article by our own Doug Lloyd).

Mike

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 20:22:18 -0700
Michael Daly wrote:
> 
> Evan Easton wrote:
> 
> > What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
> > hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
> > rigging?  [snip]
> 
> Rather than going with a conventional criss-cross bungie arrangement
> for self rescue, you might consider an alternative rigging to avoid
> interference with the day hatch cover.  One that comes to mind uses
> a couple of  T cleats and a couple of jam cleats.  A line loops over the
> paddle shaft (rather than the blade) and engages the cleats.  Impossible
> to describe without a picture [snip]

Another method, but also with fiddly bits on the deck to snag, uses a pair of
ladder-lock buckled loops, one on each side just aft of the cockpit, anchored
to the deck.  The ladder-locks make it easy to snap in the paddle shaft, snug
it tight, and then self-rescue.  The ladder-locks also make release of the
paddle less cumbersome than sliding the blade out from under bungies.

This system is one I copied from Rich Mitchell (Corvallis, OR).  I also have
bungies, which I would use in preference to the ladder-locks, 'cause I think
the bungies are more robust, and cause I don't think extracting the paddle is
all that tough.  Others who sometimes use my boats seem to find paddle
extraction the tricky part.  YMMV.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Bob Denton <BDenton_at_aquagulf.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 08:18:29 -0400
My Nordkaap has a day hatch AND paddle float rigging. One of the bungees is
almost touching the VCP hatch cover but its no problem.

cya

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Evan Easton
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2000 7:02 PM
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subject: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches


What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
rigging?  I'm ordering a Romany Explorer, and I'd like to get that added
level of safety that comes with the paddle-float rigging.  The boat has a
day hatch and the stock rear-deck rigging is setup for storing a spare
paddle.  There are no bungies that could support a paddle in a rescue.

Since I'm ordering the boat with some extra options and will likely have to
wait for it to be built :-(, I was considering having the deck fittings
customized to allow the crossed bungies between the day hatch and the rear
hatch.  Has anyone done this with their boat?  My initial concern is that
the paddle would be too far back on the boat, and it would not sufficiently
support my weight as I climb back on the boat.  Does anyone else think this
could be a problem?

For that matter, has anyone tried putting the bungies right behind the
cockpit where the day hatch is?  With the VCP hatch cover, would it even be
possible to slip the blade over the hatch cover and under the lines?  Is
this worth even considering, or should I order the boat with stock fittings
and play around myself with a drill and some bolt-on fittings once I get the
boat?

All experiences, facts, and opinions are welcome. Thanks.

Evan

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Bill Hansen <bhansen2_at_twcny.rr.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 08:46:46 -0400
RE: Rigging Romany for paddle-float (outrigger) rescue: Someone on the list
suggested using velcro. I'm going to try that on the boat I'm finishing now,
using the 2 inch wide stuff. Bungies at the same place as the day hatch
would probably interfere with using the hatch while in the boat, but velcro
could be left slightly loose except when you need it for rescue.

I think that putting the bungies behind the day hatch cover would probably
support the boat well enough, but it would be very difficult to get the
paddle out of the bungies without re-capsizing once you were back in the
boat. Maybe if you had extra-extra long arms and a back as limber as a
contortionist....

Bill Hansen
Ithaca NY

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Jeff Bingham <jbingham_at_amerijet.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 15:49:51 -0400
At 06:02 PM 5/22/2000 -0500, Evan Easton wrote:
>What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
>hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
>rigging?

Evan,
I have been paddling and teaching out of a Romany 16 for the past few
months and find that you really do not need rigging at all. I have just
been using the perimeter deck line that runs on the opposite side of the
day hatch. With just very little practise I have managed to get into the
boat in about five seconds once the rig was set up. However I can only use
it to come up from the left side. If you come up from aft of the paddle
there is a chance the paddle will swing away from you. Practise,  practise,
practise.
Brgds
Jeffrey T. Bingham
Manager of Flight Operations
Amerijet International, Inc.
Phone: 954-635-2007
Fax: 954-635-2039
Cell: 954-205-5063
<mailto:jbingham_at_amerijet.com>jbingham_at_amerijet.com  

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
From: Chuck Holst <cholst_at_bitstream.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Paddle Float Rigging and Day Hatches
Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 22:56:18 -0500
>>
What do you do when you've got a boat that you just love, but it has a day
hatch and the deck fittings aren't layed out to support paddle float rescue
rigging?
>>

My Romany is so easy to roll -- and reenter and roll -- that I haven't 
bothered attaching bungies for a paddlefloat. Also, I have had no trouble 
getting back into the cockpit when I simply hold the paddle, with 
paddlefloat, against the coaming. Even though it's a Greenland paddle, it 
doesn't move around much once my weight is on it. However, last Sunday I 
loosened part of the perimeter line on the foredeck of my Romany so I could 
stick the blade of my Greenland paddle under it. The idea is to use the 
paddle to stabilize the boat while refastening the sprayskirt after a 
reentry and roll, but it might also stabilize it enough to scramble up on 
deck if the reentry and roll fails. The first test will be tomorrow 
evening.

Chuck Holst
***************************************************************************
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 - 16:33:14 PDT