[Paddlewise] Fwd: Kaboose

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carey Parks <carey_at_jimparksfamily.com>
Date: Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kaboose
To: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>


[Please remove all old content that is not pertinent to your reply
including old headers and footers.  It's list policy.... 
this post was modified to meet policy]

Based on the experience of towing a dinghy behind a sailing vessel, it would
pay to work out some handy way of managing tow line length. When towing, you
don't just pick one length you like and use it. You are always adjusting the
tow length to suit conditions. In an ideal world you and the tow will be on
the same face of different waves, so you will surf and climb in sync. What
you DON'T want is you to be at the bottom of a trough and the tow to be
surfing down behind you, or even the next wave back. Because next thing you
know, you will be surfing and the tow will be stopped. BOING goes the tow
line. Herky-jerky tows are hard on both ends of the tow line.

A fairlead of some sort just aft of the cocpit and a cleat of some kind
where you can reach it seems a good idea. (Don't use a horned cleat or it
could poke a hole in your epidermis - been there, seen that "Arrgh! Fish
sh!t! There's fish sh!it under my skin!!")

You'll want a long tow when the swells are long, and a very short tow when
in small calm spaces. And every length in between some other time.


On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 2:02 PM, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote:

> Short of the tow bar that the Kaboose designer includes with his package, a
> towing bridle may be a better option for towing a kayak as a trailer where
> that kayak has a normally high-mounted bow.
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************