On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 17:12:39 GMT, Gary wrote:

The only thing that I
can think of that would be of concern is it flipping over in a seaway
and diving.

Flipping over is a matter of "when", not "if". It would be good no
know in advance how it will react after it flips.

I've had 2 towed inflatables flip over, once with a 65 lb outboard
motor on the back, and 1 fiberglass dinghy capsize while being towed.
It happens with amazing speed under the right conditions, and it
doesn't have to be especially rough. I see no reason to think that a
kayak is immune.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 17:12:39 GMT, Gary wrote:


The only thing that I
can think of that would be of concern is it flipping over in a seaway
and diving.


Flipping over is a matter of "when", not "if". It would be good no
know in advance how it will react after it flips.

I've had 2 towed inflatables flip over, once with a 65 lb outboard
motor on the back, and 1 fiberglass dinghy capsize while being towed.
It happens with amazing speed under the right conditions, and it
doesn't have to be especially rough. I see no reason to think that a
kayak is immune.

I don't think the kayak would be immune to flipping. I am interested in
what it does after flipping. Unlike a hardshell dinghy, it won't fill
with water or behave like a drogue. Unlike a zodiac it shouldn't start
to come apart. The kayak can't fill with water and will either dive or
just flip back again. Remember, it is more like a log than a boat.

Gary

Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it was
towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of strain on
the line.... hmmm...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Gary" wrote in message
news:ePAFf.342302$tl.292301@pd7tw3no...
Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 17:12:39 GMT, Gary wrote:


The only thing that I can think of that would be of concern is it
flipping over in a seaway and diving.


Flipping over is a matter of "when", not "if". It would be good no
know in advance how it will react after it flips. I've had 2 towed
inflatables flip over, once with a 65 lb outboard
motor on the back, and 1 fiberglass dinghy capsize while being towed.
It happens with amazing speed under the right conditions, and it
doesn't have to be especially rough. I see no reason to think that a
kayak is immune.

I don't think the kayak would be immune to flipping. I am interested in
what it does after flipping. Unlike a hardshell dinghy, it won't fill
with water or behave like a drogue. Unlike a zodiac it shouldn't start to
come apart. The kayak can't fill with water and will either dive or just
flip back again. Remember, it is more like a log than a boat.

Gary

Capt. JG wrote:
Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it was
towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of strain on
the line.... hmmm...


From this site:
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2005/fm05primer.php

"Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside
and flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed
together at the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best
plan for towing is to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have
enough room on the deck."

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it was
towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of strain
on the line.... hmmm...


From this site:
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2005/fm05primer.php

"Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside and
flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed together at
the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best plan for towing is
to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have enough room on the deck."

Jeff, this is invalid...Gary only wants to hear about your own experiences.
:-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Capt. JG wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
...

Capt. JG wrote:

Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it was
towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of strain
on the line.... hmmm...


From this site:
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2005/fm05primer.php

"Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside and
flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed together at
the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best plan for towing is
to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have enough room on the deck."


Jeff, this is invalid...Gary only wants to hear about your own experiences.
:-)


Actually, he and the OP do ask an interesting question - since a
sit-on-top can't fill, will it really be a problem to tow? Although I
have such a beast, I haven't tried towing, since most of my trips
start or end in crowded harbors or involve nasty sections, like Wood's
Hole, where you don't want to experiment.

However, I've been put off of any thoughts of trying by descriptions
such as the link I posted, and a book that said it was stressful on
the hull to tow above its hull speed. Also, it only takes a few
minutes to lift it on deck; its so easy that we do that in preference
to launching the dinghy if conditions allow.

If I did have to tow it, I think I'd pull it tight and lift the bow
some, so that it drags butt - it might stay well behaved in that mode.

Capt. JG wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
...

Capt. JG wrote:

Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it was
towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of strain
on the line.... hmmm...


From this site:
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2005/fm05primer.php

"Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside and
flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed together at
the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best plan for towing is
to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have enough room on the deck."


Jeff, this is invalid...Gary only wants to hear about your own experiences.
:-)

I think I am just gonna tow my kayak for a while and see. I'll let you
guys know how it turns out. If it gets squirrily or breaks loose I'll
just bring it aboard. I don't think anything awful will happen.

"Gary" wrote in message
news:a1RFf.351870$tl.349701@pd7tw3no...
Capt. JG wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
...

Capt. JG wrote:

Logs dive. Actually, I think it would dive, depending on the speed it
was towed. It would surface immediately, but that would put a lot of
strain on the line.... hmmm...


From this site:
http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/2005/fm05primer.php

"Kayaks do not tow well. They tend to surf a boat’s wake, go broadside
and flip. Two kayaks will tow better than one if they are lashed together
at the bow and stern, creating a catamaran shape. The best plan for
towing is to put them inside your dinghy if you don’t have enough room on
the deck."


Jeff, this is invalid...Gary only wants to hear about your own
experiences. :-)

I think I am just gonna tow my kayak for a while and see. I'll let you
guys know how it turns out. If it gets squirrily or breaks loose I'll
just bring it aboard. I don't think anything awful will happen.

There you go... the scientific method. Good idea!

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com