Hello to everyone. I am a novice paddler with a simple question. How does one launch from a dock? In a plastic boat, I would simply put the cockpit on the edge of the dock, get in and push off (a seal start, yes?). How about in a composite boat? My primary launch point is a concrete dock. By the way, if you are worried about the "Exxon Claims" title in my sig line, don't. I work for the good guys. Thanks. > * * * * * * * * * * * * * > Joel P. Curtin > Exxon Claims > Keller Rohrback L.L.P. > > > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I live about 25 miles from the ocean, but only 2 miles from San Francisco Bay. If I want to paddle locally my options are concrete boat launches, the dock next to one, or more mud than I care to deal with. For the former I just make sure I'm in water deep enough not to drag my keel on the concrete, and put minimum stress on my paddle tip. I haven't mastered keeping the paddle tip in just the water though, I still end up bracing on the concrete.The dock is easy. Place kayak in water, brace body on dock, slip down slowly into kayak. This also works the same way on ladders, although if you're launching from a high pier, friends and lots of line are helpful, as is slack water. Kevin How about in a composite boat? My primary launch point is a concrete dock. > Joel P. Curtin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 5/1/2002 6:03:51 AM Pacific Daylight Time, jcurtin_at_KellerRohrback.com writes: > How does one launch from a dock? David Seidman's book "The Essential Sea Kayaker" has a section with illustrations on getting in and out of kayaks in various situations. I think illustrations may work better than verbal descriptions for your question. Tony *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
David, That's the way I do it, except it never occurred to me to use a small canvas bag on the paddle tip. I use Inuit paddles and the long narrow paddle floats are too hard to come by to grind on concrete. A canvas bag?.....DOH! Kevin > I haven't mastered >keeping the paddle tip in just the water though, I still end up bracing on >the concrete. Kevin Since I paddle a SOT, I handle concrete ramps like at Santa Cruz Harbor by putting the boat in crossways to the ramp, i.e. parallel to the water line and then straddle the boat and sit into it. With a standard sprayskirt type boat, I'd use the paddle across the boat leaning on the end towards the shore, touching the concrete. If you happened to have a foam paddle float I'd put it on the end against the concrete, an inflatable might experience wear from the cement, just a canvas bag on the end of the paddle..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************************************************************************** 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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