How strong does a tow rope need to be? The 5/16 Braided Nylon is rated at 192 lbs. I have two left over 'biners from another project, each rated at 150 lbs. Some of the bow toggles I've seen on boats look like the weakest link. Some are held by a thin cord that doesn't look like parachute cord, but of course, if it is parachute cord, then it's no longer the weakest link. Anyhow, how strong is strong enough? At this stage of my paddling skills, I'd be towing or being towed more for some sort of physical disability like getting sick or something, as opposed to towing a boat in 40+ knots winds and high seas in some sort of rescue effort, etc. When and if I'm out on the water in those conditions, I'll have previously re-thought my do-it-yourself tow rig, but until then, a 150 lb rating should be enough to tow a boat and paddler in 2-3 foot seas and maybe 20 knot winds, shouldn't it. Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote: > > How strong does a tow rope need to be? The 5/16 Braided Nylon is rated at > 192 lbs. I have two left over 'biners from another project, each rated at > 150 lbs. Not especially strong (for me). The shock cord section relieves the stresses well. I use a water ski tow rope (cost me very little for a 100' length). What was important to me was visibility and that it floats. I also have some apparatus (I would call them wood floaty objects but that may not be the technical name) they use for fishing at the biners to keep them floating- easy to snag on the bottom otherwise. Some of the bow toggles I've seen on boats look like the weakest > link. Some are held by a thin cord that doesn't look like parachute cord, > but of course, if it is parachute cord, then it's no longer the weakest > link. I usually attach to the deck line not the toggles. HOpe all is well down there Rick. BTW, Ray and I may be setting up a navigation course for January, I remember your interest last year. If you still are, I will keep you informed. regards, gabriel -- ¤ Gabriel L Romeu ¤ http://studiofurniture.com + /diary or + /paint *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:35 AM 11/21/01 -0500, Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote: >How strong does a tow rope need to be? The 5/16 Braided Nylon is rated at >192 lbs. I have two left over 'biners from another project, each rated at >150 lbs. Some of the bow toggles I've seen on boats look like the weakest >link. Some are held by a thin cord that doesn't look like parachute cord, >but of course, if it is parachute cord, then it's no longer the weakest >link. > >Anyhow, how strong is strong enough? At this stage of my paddling skills, >I'd be towing or being towed more for some sort of physical disability like >getting sick or something, as opposed to towing a boat in 40+ knots winds >and high seas in some sort of rescue effort, etc. When and if I'm out on >the water in those conditions, I'll have previously re-thought my >do-it-yourself tow rig, but until then, a 150 lb rating should be enough to >tow a boat and paddler in 2-3 foot seas and maybe 20 knot winds, shouldn't >it. > >Rick - Poquoson, VA You need a line that floats which nylon does not, be sides isn't life work a little more money to have the proper stuff. Plus you need a quick release for your end and a biner doesn't fill the bill. Dana http://www.fska.org/ *************************************************************************** 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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