I would advise caution in towing a kayak behind a sailboat. My experience is that kayaks and canoes being towed get very squirrelly around hull speed when being towed. Depending on the design of the kayak, you may find that the bow digs in and the kayak wants to go sailing off to the side near hull speed, resulting in capsizing or breaking the tow line. Dinghies are specifically designed to plane when towed, kayaks are not. The only way I know to prevent this is to figure out how to tow the kayak with the bow lifted out of the water. --Karl Coplan -----Original Message----- From: Al Gunther [mailto:agunther_at_silverlink.net] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 4:22 PM To: kcoplan_at_law.pace.edu Subject: [Paddlewise] Towing a kayak behind a sailboat I recently read that kayaks can be successfully towed behind a sailboat that is too small to carry one on deck. I'm sure there are all the same issues as in towing a dinghy, like surfing in following seas, rolling in rough seas, and all the usual problems associated with backing up in marinas. But, with a good cockpit and hatch covers, swamping should be nearly eliminated. Does anyone have experience in doing this and any tips to offer? Al Gunther, Kingston, WA <---- 47° 48.1'N, 122° 30.0'W *************************************************************************** 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Apr 18 2001 - 09:40:59 PDT
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