Bill McKenzie, wamckenz_at_gte.net: For those making their own tow lines, the web site below has a picture of a simple hook design from RWO I found much more functional than carabiners or other hooks I have tried. It is a stainless steel hook with a stainless steel spring clip (keeper). In stressful situations, it's fast and easy to attach and release, as there is no indentation on the hook to catch on things. It has had lots of saltwater time with no corrosion. The downside is cost - about $9 to $12 apiece. http://www.rwo-usa.com/products/hooks.html Ralph Hoehn: Scuba divers call these hooks "suicide hooks" because they catch and secure automatically anything that slides past them in sufficient proximity -- usually, by Murphy's Law, in such a way that you cannot reach it to release. Perhaps this is less of a problem in controlled paddling situations, but I would hesitate to advocate these hooks over the sliding piston type (easily thumb operated, even with gloves and / or cold fingers), which effectively keeps things OUT as well as in until the operator intercedes either way. The nicer ones come in brass with stainless springs and fit so loosely that even prolonged salt water use (over several seasons) is unlikely to cause any deterioration in their function. I get mine in "the hardware store across the road" ... Best regards, Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Mar 16 2001 - 13:31:55 PST
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