[Paddlewise] Tow Rigs

I had planned to stay out of this discussion, but there you go...

One thing has become clear from the posts, there is no clear way of towing.

Personal preference, regional preference, kayak characteristics, they all
have a bearing on what people use and/or carry.

I use a body tow as I change kayaks often enough for that to be an issue.

I have used boat tows, and they worked very well.

I have towed boats through surf (despite the warnings). Not fun, but needed.

I have been part of a group (too cunning to do any towing myself!) that
involved a full-day rafted tow on the west coast of the Isle of Skye,
Scotland, in very lumpy water. A fan tow was tried and didn't work so the
rig was changed to in-line. Multiple body tows were used, with no injury.

The real questions are:

Does it work for you? Try it and find out.

Are you comfortable using it? Maybe not physically comfortable, but happy to
use it.

Is it safe? All systems can be challenged on this.

Regarding the questions about a need for quick release, there was,
allegedly, a coach in the UK who drowned after becoming snagged during a
tow. I am attempting to gather details and will post if successful.

Once the posts about towing have dried up, we can start again on skegs v
rudders? Let me tell you about my new rudder...

JKA
-- 
John Kirk-Anderson
Banks Peninsula
NEW ZEALAND
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