RE: [Paddlewise] kayaks on bigger boats

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Uebele [mailto:daveu_at_sptddog.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2000 6:31 AM
> Thinking
> about a hard top (we just have a bimini top now, I assume
> that wont support the weight of two kayaks) to mount some 
> racks on top, 
> and wondering about towing one or more kayaks behind.
> I just worry about making this water borne RV any bigger or
> taller while towing on a trailer, let alone in the water.

  Having gone through many permutations of trying to rig kayaks for travel
on my skiff I have finally concluded that overhead is the best place to
carry kayaks on a small boat.  With a 26' boat I doubt if you'll have
problems induced by the extra 100 lbs. up in the air.  With my tender deep-V
hull skiff it's going to be interesting...
> 
> Has anyone tried towing kayaks behind a power boat? I'm assuming they
> would be empty and with cockpit covers. What is a maximum reasonable
> speed to tow a kayak (or rule of thumb)?  What happens if you 
> exceed reasonable
> speed, can a kayak "plane" or does it just start spinning and
> thrashing on its tow rope as it self destructs?

Kayaks don't plane well.  Just imagine this scenario - There you are towing
your kayak with the cockpit cover on behind your planing boat.  Kayak starts
rolling over and over and finally the cockpit cover comes off - the cockpit
fills with water, your bulkhead blows out with the force of the
water.....you start having a Really Bad Day.

I wouldn't even be too hot on the idea of towing a single kayak behind a
displacement hull boat - maybe two kayaks with good ballast rigged in an
outrigger fashion and good cockpit covers.

> 
> I still try to keep an eye out for kayakers, but even trying to notice
> them, kayaks are really hard to see unless you are pretty close
> to them, certainly seeing our share of rude power boaters
> as well, not just rude to kayakers but anyone.
> Its interesting to get the perspective from the other side.

Yes, kayaks are difficult to see, but a heck of a lot easier to see than a
log in the water - and, at least up here, you have to keep an eye out for
logs all the time.  There's no excuse - ever - for a boat pilot to not see a
kayaker in time to give them a wide berth.  Anything else is poor seamanship
and negligent.  

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
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