Re: [Paddlewise] nordkapp paddle mount

Bill Hansen wrote:

> Hi Doug - I just peeked at your front deck paddle setup. There's no reason
> you'd remember, but this is very similar to the setup I've used on my
> Romany and have reported to PW.

Bill, it was actually your post that got me to finally try and rig up something
permanent, in terms of a front-deck outrigger attachment. It was cinched for me a
few years ago when I saw Harvey's and Chris Cunningham's Inuit style front deck
hold-downs. I then had historical justification, not just Doctor's orders :-)

> Fixing the paddle outrigger to the foredeck
> is easier that fixing it to the rear deck, and of course makes the awkward
> task of retrieving the paddle after pump-out much easier and much safer. I
> think your setup looks much better than mine, and I'd like to make the
> appropriate modifications to my boats.

After my trial island incident, I knew I needed to seriously address the recovery
configuration of my deck layout and overall strategy for success. I've broken too
many paddles with the rear PF method, and actually find reentering my narrow kayak
easier with a fixed front deck outrigger, than with a rear one (fishform boat).
Though I didn't mention it to the list as a reminder the other day with respect to
my Trial Island incident, I actually did manage one reentry and roll, but the
paddle broke during the roll up (prior damaged paddle - from a PF clinic I gave -
and I was an idiot to be there with it in those storm/tide conditions, so try to
block it out from my memory. Some folks in my club didn't speak to me again, after
that). Anyway, further attempts once my spare paddle was deployed, were impossible
due to ice cream headache syndrome and overall dizziness. I wish I had the front
deck rig back then. Added to the matrix of a rear deck set up for a fixed deck PF
rescue, I now have both ends covered.


> I have two questions:
>
> (1) It looks like you've used webbing to secure the paddle I've used thick
> bungie cord. Do you use Fastex buckles or something similar to fasten the
> webbing?

I use exclusively the pre-made PF rescue straps made by Rainforest Designs out of
Vancouver. Western Canoeing sells them as an upgrade/replacement part for about
$25.00 cdn a pair. I have them front and back. They incorporate a special
tightening strap, and a proprietary quick release. I will post close ups some
time. They are cold finger friendly. Guess this is all overkill for some :-) I
also experimented making my own at first, and also tried a pre-curved buckle
(actually a Seaward item from their rescue set-up). The Rainforest straps were the
best of the lot.

>
> (2) Is the webbing sewn so that your paddle blade just fits it, as regards to

> width, or do you leave the whole length of the webbing "open"?

Yes and no. The blade end is very snug, but the other end is looser, allowing a
bit of movement. I have a separate auxiliary strap for the loose end, but have not
yet perfected quick removals. It does work well enough as is, however, given the
flat portion on my forelock from the recessed knee-pod hatch I retrofitted. The
tightening straps allow a fair bit of tensioning.

>
> (3) How do you prevent the paddle from waving back and forth in a sea? Is
> there some sort of slide closure which keeps the shaft in place so that
> won't happen - and if so, what is that closure?

I've toyed with the idea of some kind of low profile shaft holder. Easyrider uses
them on their rear deck PF set-up, but I want to avoid something that would bang
cold fingers during paddling.

>
>
> (4) As an outgrowth of that last question, have you ever had the paddle
> slip backwards out of those front-deck lashings? (A slide closure on the
> shaft side would tend to prevent that, or at least minimize the chance of it.)

In really big seas, I'm strictly a re-enter-and-roll, paddle-away kind of guy. I
weight lift and do push-ups, etc, every day, and always push myself at the end of
a day trip,  surfing, etc, trying to develop stamina. Paddling a flooded kayak is
no easy task in the seas likely to take me down. However, most of my problems are
usually site specific, and more sheltered waters are usually within reach. In big
open seas, it would be a challenge, though I would die giving it everything I had,
which is a fair bit. I would call the Coasties as a last result, and that would be
done with a lot of tears. I also have my Sea Seat, which makes the most stable
outrigger imaginable, next to a life raft.  (Man, you guys really don't need to
hear all this).  I do carry two PF's, and can place both out for double-outrigger
duty. The problem is paddle breakage in either case. Proponents of the fixed PF
need to understand that the forces exacted on a buoyant paddle blade are extreme.
In some respects, the bit of sloppiness in my system is a perverse blessing, as it
allows some give. I have not tested it in real heavy seas yet (like 10 foot
rough). I am waiting for a good storm, however. Been a bad year for calm around
here. Maybe this Spring.

>
>
> (5) The photo looks like you've made a pad or support for the paddle at the
> point where it crosses the midline of the foredeck. What's that made of?

That is the knee-pod hatch cover (4") as mentioned above. This system might not
work too well on a peaked front deck. Dave Kruger asked about this too (lost his
e-mail this past few days). He was asking about minicell foam. I say, give it all
a try, and see what you think. Just report back to PW. I also lost an e-mail from
a Stan (?), I believe, who asked about how to get back in with the front deck
fixed outrigger. I simply climb up so my chest is on the front deck, but on the
opposite side of the outrigger, then shuffle back and get back in like on the
beach. Kind of like a reverse cowboy, reverse normal PF rescue. So I'm backwards.
I also can do the usual rear deck suffle-up, then get one leg in, then the other
as I twist back in. The point is, with a narrow kayak in rough seas, in both
cases, with me entering the opposite side to the outrigger, the cross-stability is
amazing (the out-rigger one side, me the other. I say experiment. Lots of bolts
sticking out. Add things that are not supposed to be added. Harness the lightning
storms. Rivet what you can't sew. It's the Dr Norkappstien way!

>
>
> Thanks in advance for answering those questions. Looks like a very good setup.

Yeah, but nothing beats prevention, right Doc?  :-)

Doug



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