RE: [Paddlewise] Sponson stuff

From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net>
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 09:31:56
At 06:32 PM 12/28/01 -0800, Matt Broze wrote:
> There is a device called a Pad-L-Rac from
>Allin Associated Products http://www.padlrac.com/ that can be adapted to
>many kayaks that will hold the paddle fairly well. I don't think it would be
>hard to fashion your own solution (adapted to your particular kayak) with a
>few cleats and cords, if the idea appeals to you.
>I especially like this for towing because with two paddler there should
>already be two paddlefloats available to use on the victims kayak if each
>have one for self-rescue.

One of the things that impresses me about my Nimbus Telkwa is that is comes
with a set of straps already fastened to the deck intended for sticking a
paddle blade under for a paddlefloat rescue. Its one of the detail things
that impresses me about the boat.

Shortly after I got the boat, I was out paddling with a friend on a small
inland lake when he became sick due to a prescription drug reaction, and he
was having trouble staying conscious and upright. Rather than trying any
elaborate rescue technique, I flagged down a couple guys in a bass boat and
had them take him back to the launch, while I towed the boat back, no big
deal.

But we talked about the incident afterwards, and what we might have done
had we been in a more remote situation. One of the ideas we came up with
would have been to take a paddle and put it under my paddlefloat straps as
a crossbar, with a paddlefloat on either end, and trade boats so I could
tow him back. There's a fly in that ointment -- I'm not sure I could have
gotten into his boat. He did work up a way of fixing a paddle a little more
solidly in such cases again.

-- Wes
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Received on Sat Dec 29 2001 - 06:44:39 PST

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