Doug'wrote: - >Cyber-space address is at: ><http://www.geocities.com/nordkappman/p2.html> G'Day Doug' Thanks for the 2nd web page - The descriptions were very clear and useful. Particularly appreciate the comments on Northwater deck bags and Current Designs deck fittings. My boat seems to have half the deck fittings it needs and all the deck bags I've seen need to be strengthened to withstand the mildest surf. I don't try anything more than 3 or 4 foot surf and yet the deck bag ties still break - but haven't tried Northwater yet. Spent a lot of time in the last few days sewing deck bags from plastic sun screen mesh. You also comment in your web page on the need for securing the paddle having a higher priority over retrieving it. Presumably if one has an effective roll then there wouldn't be much strain on the paddle and it wouldn't break. Is this true in practice in rough sea? - is the same true of bracing? I've sometimes braced into surf with a heavy boat, which made my whole paddle vibrate. Also Doug' you mention that the spare paddle is easily deployed with a quick tug - can this be done from the cockpit? If so I would value a detailed description if you have time. All the best and thanks, 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/ ***************************************************************************
The subject of where and how to store your spare paddle (or paddle halves) is a topic we have discussed before on PW. Last go-'round, the conclusion was that a storm paddle on the front deck was the "best" option, followed by one easily retrieved from the rear deck, but that this takes some practice in conditions were you have rolled over, and are not able to use your main paddle (breakage, loss, inability to roll back up with the portion of paddle left after breaking). Hutchy says in one of his books, that this event surely is one of life's little emergencies (or something to that effect). Spare half paddles located on the front deck are another one of those good compromises that some folks make. I did that one for awhile, but seas kept moving the blades around, and for heaven's sake, my top-deck gelcoat was getting scratched (can you imagine!). I then went to a much more secure arrangement, with paddle halves secured on the rear deck. It's nice if you can rig something whereby the paddles are easily removed and re-secured for entrance into your hatch, but that is just one of my priorities. Some kayaks it is easy to not interfere with hatch access in the first place. The problem with repeated pulling out and shoving back in of the paddle halves under the bungies, is that it wears the bungies (shock cord) out prematurely, and premature ejection of your spare paddles can be on of life's little embarrassing emergencies. I tried clear vinyl tubing, wide enough to cover the blade area, with the bungy cord running through the tube. It worked a bit better for wear and tear. I believe P&H has a nice integrated system for removal of paddles from the rear deck, based on using their black Seamaster paddle halves. For the few years I did pre-marital, really extreme paddling, I simply placed a canoe paddle (with a "T" handle on the end of it), on the front deck. It was easily retrieved, even while in the inverted position (the kayaker and boat, that is). A buddy of mine uses a "T" handle that mounts into one of his spare halves, to form and emergency "canoe" paddle. My problem was still slippage of the one foredeck paddle in heavy seas and surf, and the fact that I never needed it. It seemed way too redundant, even for me. Much can depend on the type of boat and the curves on your deck, as to what works best. In my case, the paddle halves are best placed on the rear deck, with the blades towards the cockpit. On some boats, one could fit a rowing oar -- or two! And in my case, security of the spares was paramount. (Okay, they look better on the rear deck, okay? There, I said it, anal perfection rules my decisions) :-) Seriously, the most likely time to break a main paddle is in the surf zone, and the spare retrieval issue probably isn't an issue, whereas security of the spare is (in surf). I can't easily retrieve my spare from the rear deck location (the one half that some people can, with the right set-up, for rolling back up with). If I'm desperate, I can bail out, deploy the spare, and re-enter-and-roll back in. Also, some of you might want to practice hand paddling forewards and backwards. it is a great skill builder. Chris Cunningham is a powerful master at this with his skin boat. I stay away from thin wooden paddle shafts now, and light carbonfiber shafts are just for light days. I do think the Storm paddle on the front deck IS the hot setup to have. I have not tried it myself, but based on my experiences with other front deck-stored spare paddles, I found they would cause a lot of unnecessary sea spray to be thrown up. I have enough problems in heavy running with my compass fires spray at me, along with a plunging bow, let alone anything else. Guys n' gals with folders (we mustn't forget out folding boat brothers and sisters) can utilize or make some nice canvas or synthetic "pockets" to hold paddle blade ends. If I didn't have my rear net bag on my rear deck, spare paddle retrieval would be very easy. As a footnote, be aware that net bags with velcro closures are no guarantee that items will remain secure in said bags during surf exits and landings. I'm modifying mine at the moment, as the velcro has gotten a bit old, and well, lets just say I caused a bit of "gear" pollution on my last surf outing. Doug Lloyd (who's trying to remember the simple days of yesteryear, when I could still see the colour of my deck) *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Doug, I was checking out all your deck rigging and I came up with a concern. Some months ago I was doing some roll practice at the local pool. I had a bow painter rigged up to my kayak. Normally this fits tight to the deck but after several rolls I didn't realize it had worked loose. On one of my rolls my paddle slipped under the line and snagged up. Fortunately I was able to see in the clear what was happening and managed to untangle the paddle and roll up. I wonder in looking at your pictures if any of your various deck lines could snag a paddle during a roll (especially your tethered deck knife)? Bob Sitka *************************************************************************** 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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