G'Day, Can anyone describe setting up a tow line on a fibreglass sea kayak. This will mean drilling my first holes in the boat! I've been using a waist belt with the Klepper folding boat but now I'm using a relatively narrow hardshell and with the possibility of rolling am concerned about entanglement. If the tow hook is set up too near the cockpit is there a risk of being pulled over? If you don't fix it near the cockpit how is the quick release and fast deployment arranged? I'ld be glad of any advice. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Peter D Osman" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au> > I'm using a relatively narrow > hardshell and with the possibility of rolling am concerned about > entanglement. If the tow hook is set up too near the cockpit is there a risk > of being pulled over? Not that I can see. You want it as close to the cockpit as possible. Otherwise the towing force will swing your kayak in line with the rope. I use a system like the NDK style rig. A fairlead is mounted as close as possible behind the cockpit on the centreline of the kayak. A cam cleat is mounted on the side of the deck (starboard for me). The towing line runs through the fairlead, then at an angle to the cleat. The angle is a bit more open than 90 degrees (maybe 110 degrees?) and I've tested it to ensure that there isn't too much bend-induced friction. The fairlead keeps the towing line on the centreline, while the cam cleat allows for a quick release just behind my right hip. In my case, the fairlead bolts into the rear bulkhead reinforcement (flange-like bit of the bulkhead where it attaches to the underside of the deck). I backed up the cam cleat with a couple of layers of fiberglass epoxied inside. The cam cleat is the type with a wire fairlead attached so that the line won't pop out of the cleat. Mike PS - Don't forget that you should practice with it a few times to ensure you're used to the way it works. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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