Re: [Paddlewise] Homebrew Pigtail?

Derek wrote:

> I was looking at pigtails (cow tails) for a towing
> rig.  Is there any particular reason why one couldn't
> use a piece of stretch cord (possibly of the sailboat
> variety) and a pair of rope climbing caribeeners? 

Standard advice for pigtails is "Don't make your own!"  However, that comes from 
the WW world and a pigtail in that environment has to stand quite a load - the 
usual recommended capacity is 500kg (1100lb) static tension (That's in 
Walbridge's rescue book - I don't know what the most recent standards, if any, 
are).  Most people would not be able to make a pigtail that will be guaranteed 
to handle that load without a lot of testing.

If you are only using it for towing, you are looking at loads below a couple of 
hundred pounds - even 100 lb will likely hurt the tower.  In fact, it may be 
desirable to have the tow system break rather than your spine.

Most pigtails consist of a length of tubular webbing (for strength) with a core 
of elastic (for shock absorption and length reduction).  You could make this.

You wouldn't want two carabiners, but one D ring and a carabiner.  The D ring 
attaches to the towing belt and the carabiner to the object towed (kayak, tow 
line...).  Many use a paddle biner (AKA Kong, now available with wire gate) or a 
smaller Wichart stainless steel carabiner (expensive but highly rust resistant 
and in some models with no "tooth" on the gate closure).

Mike
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