Re: [Paddlewise] Tow Rigs

In a message dated 4/4/2005 10:13:20 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
woody_at_kayaktrips.net writes:

The belt  was 
very narrow and would quickly become uncomfortable when towing. It  would 
probably work as a PFD tow, but I'm too fat to get the belt around  my 
PFD. 


This is a very important point for those using belt systems which are not  
dedicated to the user's PFD.
 
I had a partner who was hurt quite badly by a punch in the gut when  his boat 
and the boat we were towing were surfed in opposite directions on 4-6  foot 
seas.  
Joe was using a fanny-pack style commercial towing system and I  was using my 
vest-dedicated system, hooked up to the same boat in a  husky-tow.
We were both experiencing fairly heavy impact from our lines  loosening and 
tightening after short surfs.  To counter these impacts, Joe  would lean 
forward and try to hold against the impact, while I always try  to allow the force 
to pull me back, resisting, but hinging at my hips to  absorb the impact as 
gracefully as possible.
On one such occasion, Joe's tow belt slipped off his PFD and down onto his  
stomach.  The impact was enough that he started throwing up and was unable  to 
help with the tow after that.  I was seriously considering calling for  an 
evacuation for Joe.
 
The point of this is that you should tow with the belt across your PFD,  
where impacts are cushioned and distributed across your entire rib structure,  
rather than concentrated over soft organs.
 
Dedicated vest systems have the advantage that they cannot slip out of  
position, which (in addition to the speed of deployment it offers) is why I  always 
use PFD-mounted system.  However, on long or rough paddles,  I usually carry 
an additional fanny-pack system to use as needed or to  assign to another 
tower.
 
Whenever I use the fanny-pack system, I wear it bandolier style, over one  
shoulder and angled across my chest.  This keep it from sliding down over  my 
stomach and also provides a higher towing point.  If this is not  possible or 
you find it uncomfortable, the belt could possible be run through  belt loops or 
pocket straps on the front of your PFD. 
 
One additional advantage of a body-mounted tow system over a boat-mounted  
system is the higher towing point it provides.  The higher  the rope is secured 
above the deck, the less the tow rope tends  to hook over the stern of your 
boat or foul in your rudder.  If the  rope hooks over your stern, the towed boat 
will constantly pull your  boat off course as it veers off to one side or the 
other.  It is also  easier to reach back and grab the rope to clear it off 
the stern when issuing  from the middle of your back.
 
 
Harold  
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