Re: [Paddlewise] Question on Paddlefloat self rescues

From: Kevin Whilden <kevin_at_yourplanetearth.org>
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 17:08:29 -0700
At 07:24 PM 7/25/00 -0400, KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote:
><< But if the paddle is securely fixed is there any reason not to
>  position it at the front of the cockpit? All the books I've read set it at
>  the back. By the way these were not rough water practice sessions as I was
>  solo at the time. >>
>
>    I think the reason we generally fasten the paddlefloat to the rear 
> deck is
>because most sea kayaks have peaked front decks which makes securing the
>paddle marginal at best. If your boat has provisions for securely fastening
>the paddle to the front deck, then I don't see why you couldn't do it that
>way.

I don't think that putting the float on the front deck would work well at 
all, unless you are very very limber. The reason is that the last motion of 
re-entering the boat requires that you place a fair bit of weight on the 
paddle-outrigger for stability while you corkscrew into the cockpit. I 
can't really envision how this might work if the paddle is on the front 
deck. However, I haven't tried it myself, so I don't really know if the 
problem I suggest exists. But the theory seems sound enough. Hopefully Matt 
will have an opinion...
Cheers,
Kevin


Kevin Whilden
Your Planet Earth
http://www.yourplanetearth.org
(206) 788-0281 (ph)
(206) 788-0284 (f)

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Received on Tue Jul 25 2000 - 17:05:11 PDT

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