Jim asks: <<< What is the preferred location for clipping the tow line onto the towed kayak? The bow grab handle? Close to the cockpit so the victim can release if need be? (That sounds like a squirrelly ride near the cockpit) I have only towed in practice and always clipped near the bow grab handle. >>> There are a number of options, mostly dependent on how much ability you and the person being towed want to garnish to the kayaker in need. I've never worried about that myself...if I need to tow someone, they usually aren't in a frame of mind to be concerned with having the ability to release. I, on the other hand, will not tow unless I _can_ quick-release -- if needed. This was demonstrated to me viscerally on our failed Storm Island crossing where the tow line was about to get wrapped up in the rescuing fish boat's stabilizers at the end of the ordeal (I had a lower chest harness system). As for your direct question, I prefer to pull on the front of the kayak being towed for best directional control, where the paddler is able to remain upright and hopefully apply some propulsion. I've found the most difficult aspect of hooking onto the boat to be towed is actually _making the connection_. Well, in a stormy, boisterous sea, it can be a real challenge to retain stability, keep paddle control and retention of same, all while engaging your tow system and then clipping to the other kayak. Remember, its bouncing around and can be difficult to coordinate the movement necessary to clip on. In this situation, forget the toggle or grab loop, and just go for the front deck line if one is present. In the case of the incident I was involved with (a six hour tow in 35 knot winds and 7-foot breaking seas superimposed on a 2 to 3 meter westerly bump with a strong current mixed in, I eventually had to lean over onto the front deck of the kayak needing assistance, then bear hug it close in, in order to clip into the deck line. Its a lot harder than it sounds, and would be something a lot of towing classes would gloss over. And this was all before the seas got really bad. BTW, the towing portion of many a BCU exam (or other germane paddling schemes) is the area where a lot of paddlers fail - literally - for a variety of reasons. Cheers, Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Jim, An experienced paddler once showed me that clipping to a bow D-ring (like NW Kayaks, Mariners, et al) is a bad idea. If the 'biner slips to the back of the ring, a sharp forward tug puts the gate against the front of the ring, and the whole thing unclips scary fast. Clip to the perimeter line so the 'biner will slide up to the bow. The grab handle would be next best choice, but harder to clip to when the water's sloshy. Shawn jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net wrote: >What is the preferred location for clipping the tow line onto the towed >kayak? The bow grab handle? ... I have only towed in practice and >always clipped near the bow grab handle. HotJobs - Search Thousands of New Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Actually, clipping to the perimeter line seems like it could have the same risk (gate hits endpoint for perimeter line, unclips). Why not use two opposed 'biners? Just about as fast, and much more secure, with the benefit that you can use it anywhere? .ashton, wondering if climbing techniques would work here On Thu, 15 Aug 2002, Shawn Baker wrote: > Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 13:26:45 -0700 (PDT) > From: Shawn Baker <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com> > To: jfarrelly5_at_comcast.net, paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] tow line > > Hi Jim, > > An experienced paddler once showed me that clipping to a bow D-ring > (like NW Kayaks, Mariners, et al) is a bad idea. If the 'biner slips > to the back of the ring, a sharp forward tug puts the gate against the > front of the ring, and the whole thing unclips scary fast. > > Clip to the perimeter line so the 'biner will slide up to the bow. The > grab handle would be next best choice, but harder to clip to when the > water's sloshy. > > Shawn [snipped] *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Another possibility with boats that lack perimeter lines but that have a front D-ring would be to run a bight of the tow line, just above the 'biner, through the D-ring and then clip on to the bight. This should help keep the 'biner from being opened by the back of the D-ring. Bob V > Jim asks: > > <<< > What is the preferred location for clipping the tow line onto the towed > kayak? The bow grab handle? Close to the cockpit so the victim can > release if need be? (That sounds like a squirrelly ride near the > cockpit) I have only towed in practice and always clipped near the bow > grab handle. > >>> > > There are a number of options... *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
According to a story last week in the Marquette, MI Mining Journal, the National Park Service is planning to seek repeal of the regulation banning jetskis from operating in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Comments are being received until November 15. Speak now . . . For more information, see: http://www.miningjournal.net/archive/2002news/08-august/08-06_1.html -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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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