The idea of getting the tow line away from around my waist is very appealing. Does anyone have any pros and cons of securing the tow around the cocpit coaming as in the rigs at the bottom of this page http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html Ralph Heimlich white and blue Arluk III -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.4 - Release Date: 3/27/2005 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph Heimlich wrote: > Does anyone have any pros and cons of securing the tow around the > cocpit coaming as in the rigs at the bottom of this page > > I would not like to try and wet exit with that tow line attached to my > coaming. The instructions specify attaching the tow system after you > have secured your skirt. One more step (pulling on the float to > release the tow line) added to wet exiting in case of a dunking isnt > going to help anything. Rolling up under a rope isnt fun either. I > have had the misfortune of trying to roll up from under a floating > goal line we use while playing kayak football on several occasions. > It is a huge psychological barrier when your paddle becomes restricted > by the rope. I use a North Water waist belt mounted system. I have > only towed for real once and the adrenaline of the situation made me > forget about the belt. Jim et al *************************************************************************** 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 agree with Jom Farrelly -- Unlike Jim, I've towed many times -- both in training and for real -- and have never been bothered by having the line around my waist. Even the rare jolt is very brief, thanks in part to the bungee cord built into my tow belt, and never a problem. Like Jim, I'd be concerned about the presence of a tow belt that I couldn't get out of in a big hurry. The waist-mounted belt comes with a quick release buckle. Not only is this a safety factor, but it allows for an easy and quick transfer of the load to a relief paddler in long-tow situations. Bob V Ralph Heimlich wrote: > The idea of getting the tow line away from around my waist is very > appealing. Does anyone have any pros and cons of securing the tow > around the cocpit coaming as in the rigs at the bottom of this page > http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html > > Ralph Heimlich > white and blue Arluk III *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 28 Mar 2005 at 19:58, Ralph Heimlich wrote: > The idea of getting the tow line away from around my waist is very > appealing. Does anyone have any pros and cons of securing the tow > around the cocpit coaming as in the rigs at the bottom of this page > http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html I prefer either a towing belt on a PFD or a NDK style deck mounted towing attachment. <http://www.southcoastkayaks.com/boats/ConstructionOptions.htm> The photo at the bottom of the web page is not too clear, but you should get the idea. I've rigged this with both the cam cleat on the side and a fairlead near the coaming on the kayak centerline. That keeps the towing force near the center of the kayak so that it doesn't add a significant turning moment while towing. Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Right, the waist is good - I've used a Salamander for years and recently got a rescue vest with a belt attached (with quick release) - but it's short.....Wildwasser also makes a good waist tow system. And of course, Northwater... Andree > > I prefer either a towing belt on a PFD or a NDK style deck mounted > towing attachment. Andree Hurley KIX: http://www.onwatersports.com/ Store Update: http://www.viewit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
A. Hurley said: > I've used a Salamander for years > and recently got a rescue vest with a belt attached (with > quick release) - but it's short.....Wildwasser also makes a > good waist tow system. And of course, Northwater... I switched from using my Salamander Pro system to a rescue vest too. Northwater makes a nice short tow system for it that is either 12 or 17' feet long (eyesight went long ago, now it's the memory). This works great for a quick tow away from rocks or out of a surf zone. For longer tows, I just clip a longer line to it. Works better than the waist mounted systems. Steve Holtzman Southern Calif *************************************************************************** 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 reckon these things pose a major entanglement risk. The possibility of it lassoing or garotting you when setting it up or under tow if it slips of could be nasty. Also it could rip your ping your spray deck off (weird things happen under tow esp. in big seas). Also more fiddly and slower to set up when things are dicey and you have to move fast. Re-enforced fittings on your deck or decklines keep the line away from your body and paddle. Few people in our neck of the woods use tow belts as well. Richard Sydney Australia Ralph Heimlich wrote: > The idea of getting the tow line away from around my waist is very > appealing. Does anyone have any pros and cons of securing the tow > around the cocpit coaming as in the rigs at the bottom of this page > http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html > > Ralph Heimlich > white and blue Arluk III *************************************************************************** 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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