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  #11   Report Post  
Ewan Scott
 
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wrote in message
oups.com...
Some how it seamed much easier when I started. Of course now I have 5
boats, no idea how many BA's I have gone through and a ton of odds and
sods to help friends play with the sport.


Funny, when I started out the chap who got me interested had bins full of
kit, and now we find that our stock of used kit isd starting to grow.

My car is rubish but i have nice boats.


That's odd too. My car used to be nice and shiney. Now it's got scratches
from boats and paddles, dents from tie straps and on hot days it stinks of
river water desite the air conditioning and driving with windows open, and
industrial strength air freshners.

Ewan Scott


  #12   Report Post  
Charlie
 
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Same problem! With both the junior and mens ones I find that they sit off
the top of my shoulders even at their shortest settings (don't get me
started on Polo BA's...). That's why I'm wondering if some of the ones that
are compact at the front will be better because I may be able to shorten the
shoulder straps considerably. Ho hum, I'll have to go to the shop, get
dressed up and then sit in a boat and pretend to paddle!

Charlie.

"Roos Eisma" wrote in message
...
"Ewan Scott" writes:

are starting to take deeper breaths. My wife has a BA that I can use and
vice versa - Unless you are a Jordan, I doubt that there is any real
difference between BA's BTW, she doesn't wear support when paddling, if

you
know what I mean.


I did buy a women specific BA last year, and I do prefer it over the
unisex one I hds before. The main thing I was looking for was a shorter
body with still enough flotation - compared to men of my weight I have a
shorter torso and longer legs. My old BA fit fine when I was standing up,
but sitting in a boat the spraydeck would push the BA towards my ears.

You may find a good fit in unisex/male BAs, but do try it on in your boat
if you can!

Roos



  #13   Report Post  
Charlie
 
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"Ewan Scott" wrote in message
...
Sleeveless Long John Wetsuit £about £55 for a 3mm suit.


Already got, although I'm looking at buying a long sleeve wesuit top for
cold days and a set of short trousers for hot days!

Wetsuit boots.


I've got some, but these are on my list too. I have real problems finding
nice ones though. Tiny feet means I have to have junior ones, and junior
ones mean flouresant colours! (Not that I'm a slave to fashion, I just
like to match reasonably!)

Dry Cag of some sort - that is rubber seals on neck and wrists, and a

double
seal for the spraydeck. I use a reed Chill Cheater whict I think is ace,

my
son hates his with a vengeance though - each to their own. Make sure you
have room to move in it.


I've heard loads about the chill cheaters, but I can't find any shops round
here that sell them. The only other advise I've been told is NOT to go for
a Nookie. A girl I work with got one and it fell apart in a few months.

BA - enough to carry your weight, pocket on the front for odds and sods -

I

Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used! (Like, why do you
pay more for thongs? Ok, mind wandering again.)

Paddles, get what you are comfortable with.


I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but it'll
do till I work out what I really really like. It can be a spare after that.
What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.

What else might you need... Dry bags - forget BDAs, they are too rigid,

use
soft nylon drybags - we all have a medium for clothes and a small for
emergency kit.


Good idea. I've seen some nice rucksack ones which is good because I cycle
everywhere. I genrally keep my wet kit stinking in a plastic tub once it's
been rinsed and dryed. Come to think of that, I dry my kit in a plant room
in a swimming pool usually, will the chemicals in the air degrade my kit?
Or is it so insignificant that it won't matter. Doesn't seem to bother my
swim suits.

A survival bag - one of those orange poly ones, don't open it, fold it

flat
and duck tape it to the inside of your boat - it is for emergency use

only.

Good idea, I never thought of that. The last time I saw one of those being
used was the men in the club (can I really call them men?) having sack races
in them. Nut cases.

Helmet - one that fits and you are comfortable with - avoid peaks and face
guards - at this stage :-)


Yup, got mine today. Nice Yak one, although I'm having trouble getting it
to fit properly (the back straps won't tighten properly). I think I need to
stick a little more neoprene padding in it.

Throw bag - 15 metres.


Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?

Bouyancy bags for your boat.


Already got, not allowed on the water with the club without them.

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small

metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.


Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting one.

A sling and a crab for hauling your boat up and down embankments. We have

a
2m sling and a self locking crab - if you can find a piece of cork thread
the sling theough the cork in case you drop it in the water.


Where do I get these? Anything that makes my boat easier to carry is good!

Spray deck that fits quite tightly, neoprene is best. - tip, you can run
silicone sealant under the lip of the cockpit to make a better seal - but

it
does come undone - you can also seal all screwheads the same way.


Again, I'm having problems with this one. I can't seem to find a decent
neoprene deck with a small enough waist to fit properly.

Emergency kit - buy a spare bung for your boat and find some plastic

sealant
of some sort to carry with you. Plus all the FA kit you will need - don't
forget you own personal medication - you might not be able to give someone
else codiene, but you can give it to yourself if you need it.


Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind my
seat, but how do I keep it there?

Cheers for the advise. Much appreciated.

Charlie.


  #14   Report Post  
Kegs
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Charlie" writes:

"Ewan Scott" wrote in message
...
Sleeveless Long John Wetsuit £about £55 for a 3mm suit.


Already got, although I'm looking at buying a long sleeve wesuit top for
cold days and a set of short trousers for hot days!


Don't get a wetsuit top, it will inhibit your movement and quickly
get very uncomfortable, Immersion Research do some very nice thick
fleecy thermal tops that are great in cold weather.

Dry Cag of some sort - that is rubber seals on neck and wrists, and a

double
seal for the spraydeck. I use a reed Chill Cheater whict I think is ace,

my
son hates his with a vengeance though - each to their own. Make sure you
have room to move in it.


I've heard loads about the chill cheaters, but I can't find any shops round
here that sell them. The only other advise I've been told is NOT to go for
a Nookie. A girl I work with got one and it fell apart in a few months.


Palm kit is very good and well cut, and usually well made, it does seem that
Palm and Nookie seem to take turns at being the flaky manufacturer whose
kit falls apart. I have a couple of nookie cags that are about 8 years old
which are stll fine, apart from the fact that the waterproofing has gone
slightly. Peak UK are also worth a look as well, as are Immersion Research.

BA - enough to carry your weight, pocket on the front for odds and sods -

I

Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used! (Like, why do you
pay more for thongs? Ok, mind wandering again.)


IME, with whitewater BAs anyway, the ones with the most pockets are the
serious whitewater BAs, with a full harness and stuff, that all adds to the
price. Freestyle type BAs, which are cut to allow maximum movement, tend
to be the most comfortable, even the unisex ones, the Palm fusion and Nookie
Playmonster BAs are especially good, IMO.

Paddles, get what you are comfortable with.


I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but it'll
do till I work out what I really really like. It can be a spare after that.
What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.


Regarding length and feather, get what you are comfortable with, personally
I think that the shorter the better, with a low angle of feather, but YMMV.
One thing to be aware of, especially if you have small hands, is that if the
paddle shaft is toowide in diameter it can be quite uncomfortable or even
painful after a while, most of the better makes, such as werner, Robson et al
offer a smaller diameter shaft on all their paddles.

Throw bag - 15 metres.


Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?


I personally think that all whitewater paddlers should own and know how
to use a throwline, I keep mine crabbed to my seat, behind me.

Talk to the more experienced paddlers in your club though, they will know
your abilities better than we do and can give good advice on this.

If you do get one, make sure you retie the loop of rope that goes through
the end of the bag (it makes a handle like thing) with something like a
bowline, and remove any loop at the other end of the rope.

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small

metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.


Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting one.


Wouldn't bother personally, shoujldn't be towing on moving water anyway,
and on flat water a sling and crab do just as well, and are more generally
useful.

A sling and a crab for hauling your boat up and down embankments. We have

a
2m sling and a self locking crab - if you can find a piece of cork thread
the sling theough the cork in case you drop it in the water.


Where do I get these? Anything that makes my boat easier to carry is good!


The sling you should be able to get from any outdoors shop that sells
rock-climbing equipment, and you'll be able to get a karabiner in the same
place.

These are the most genuine useful bit of kit to have, you can use it as a
makeshift skeg to help a beginner keep in a straight line on fla****er, as
a towing aid (crab though the front grabloop, loop of sling over your
shoulder), to drag your boat around, or secure it to the bank if you are
inspecting a feature, and to provide a belay point in rescue and kit
recovery situations.

Spray deck that fits quite tightly, neoprene is best. - tip, you can run
silicone sealant under the lip of the cockpit to make a better seal - but

it
does come undone - you can also seal all screwheads the same way.


Again, I'm having problems with this one. I can't seem to find a decent
neoprene deck with a small enough waist to fit properly.


Nookie will do special order spraydecks, for little or no premium, IIRC,
so may playboater, both of whose spraydecks are very very good, even if
Nookie's cags are a bit leaky at the moment.

Emergency kit - buy a spare bung for your boat and find some plastic

sealant
of some sort to carry with you. Plus all the FA kit you will need - don't
forget you own personal medication - you might not be able to give someone
else codiene, but you can give it to yourself if you need it.


some gaffer tape is also always useful to have around.

Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind my
seat, but how do I keep it there?


most of it can be kept in a drybag that can be crabbed to the seat, if there
are loops there, as in necky and some older dagger boats, or to the back of
the backband. if you deflate the airbag(s) slightlyand stuff the kit on top,
then reinflate them, is shouldn't move too much. throwlines can be stored in
the same way, but shouldn't be in a drybag, just crab them through the handles.
Keep the sling in the same place, or, if the BA pocket is big enough, in there.

--
James jamesk[at]homeric[dot]co[dot]uk

DISCLAIMER: Unix is a registered trademark of AT&T.
  #15   Report Post  
Dave Manby
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You could try canyon gear that make paddling gear to measure. Delia
prizes herself in making gear especially for women. Try www.canyongear
..co.uk or phone her on 01788810076

In message , Kegs
writes
"Charlie" writes:

"Ewan Scott" wrote in message
...
Sleeveless Long John Wetsuit £about £55 for a 3mm suit.


Already got, although I'm looking at buying a long sleeve wesuit top for
cold days and a set of short trousers for hot days!


Don't get a wetsuit top, it will inhibit your movement and quickly
get very uncomfortable, Immersion Research do some very nice thick
fleecy thermal tops that are great in cold weather.

Dry Cag of some sort - that is rubber seals on neck and wrists, and a

double
seal for the spraydeck. I use a reed Chill Cheater whict I think is ace,

my
son hates his with a vengeance though - each to their own. Make sure you
have room to move in it.


I've heard loads about the chill cheaters, but I can't find any shops round
here that sell them. The only other advise I've been told is NOT to go for
a Nookie. A girl I work with got one and it fell apart in a few months.


Palm kit is very good and well cut, and usually well made, it does seem that
Palm and Nookie seem to take turns at being the flaky manufacturer whose
kit falls apart. I have a couple of nookie cags that are about 8 years old
which are stll fine, apart from the fact that the waterproofing has gone
slightly. Peak UK are also worth a look as well, as are Immersion Research.

BA - enough to carry your weight, pocket on the front for odds and sods -

I

Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used! (Like, why do you
pay more for thongs? Ok, mind wandering again.)


IME, with whitewater BAs anyway, the ones with the most pockets are the
serious whitewater BAs, with a full harness and stuff, that all adds to the
price. Freestyle type BAs, which are cut to allow maximum movement, tend
to be the most comfortable, even the unisex ones, the Palm fusion and Nookie
Playmonster BAs are especially good, IMO.

Paddles, get what you are comfortable with.


I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but it'll
do till I work out what I really really like. It can be a spare after that.
What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.


Regarding length and feather, get what you are comfortable with, personally
I think that the shorter the better, with a low angle of feather, but YMMV.
One thing to be aware of, especially if you have small hands, is that if the
paddle shaft is toowide in diameter it can be quite uncomfortable or even
painful after a while, most of the better makes, such as werner, Robson et al
offer a smaller diameter shaft on all their paddles.

Throw bag - 15 metres.


Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?


I personally think that all whitewater paddlers should own and know how
to use a throwline, I keep mine crabbed to my seat, behind me.

Talk to the more experienced paddlers in your club though, they will know
your abilities better than we do and can give good advice on this.

If you do get one, make sure you retie the loop of rope that goes through
the end of the bag (it makes a handle like thing) with something like a
bowline, and remove any loop at the other end of the rope.

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small

metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.


Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting one.


Wouldn't bother personally, shoujldn't be towing on moving water anyway,
and on flat water a sling and crab do just as well, and are more generally
useful.

A sling and a crab for hauling your boat up and down embankments. We have

a
2m sling and a self locking crab - if you can find a piece of cork thread
the sling theough the cork in case you drop it in the water.


Where do I get these? Anything that makes my boat easier to carry is good!


The sling you should be able to get from any outdoors shop that sells
rock-climbing equipment, and you'll be able to get a karabiner in the same
place.

These are the most genuine useful bit of kit to have, you can use it as a
makeshift skeg to help a beginner keep in a straight line on fla****er, as
a towing aid (crab though the front grabloop, loop of sling over your
shoulder), to drag your boat around, or secure it to the bank if you are
inspecting a feature, and to provide a belay point in rescue and kit
recovery situations.

Spray deck that fits quite tightly, neoprene is best. - tip, you can run
silicone sealant under the lip of the cockpit to make a better seal - but

it
does come undone - you can also seal all screwheads the same way.


Again, I'm having problems with this one. I can't seem to find a decent
neoprene deck with a small enough waist to fit properly.


Nookie will do special order spraydecks, for little or no premium, IIRC,
so may playboater, both of whose spraydecks are very very good, even if
Nookie's cags are a bit leaky at the moment.

Emergency kit - buy a spare bung for your boat and find some plastic

sealant
of some sort to carry with you. Plus all the FA kit you will need - don't
forget you own personal medication - you might not be able to give someone
else codiene, but you can give it to yourself if you need it.


some gaffer tape is also always useful to have around.

Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind my
seat, but how do I keep it there?


most of it can be kept in a drybag that can be crabbed to the seat, if there
are loops there, as in necky and some older dagger boats, or to the back of
the backband. if you deflate the airbag(s) slightlyand stuff the kit on top,
then reinflate them, is shouldn't move too much. throwlines can be stored in
the same way, but shouldn't be in a drybag, just crab them through the handles.
Keep the sling in the same place, or, if the BA pocket is big enough, in there.


--
Dave Manby
Details of the Coruh river and my book "Many Rivers To Run" at
http://www.dmanby.demon.co.uk



  #16   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
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Charlie, Forget the long sleeve wet suit top.
It will wreck your underarms, chafe like hell, sweat the dickens out of
you and no one will go near yuo when you peal it off.
There are other products, Fuzzy Rubber is one that comes to mind. A
good spray top or dry top are adiquate if you have thick poly pro under
it.
Don't do like a lady friend of mine does.
She wears thin lycra shirts under a dry suit and it does not keep her
warm If she goes in she will get a hell of a start. Now those blouses
look fantastic on her but a thick old HH sweater would be much more
practical.
Back to the BA. you may have to look for a womans fit. What works for
me will likely not work for you ( comfortably ) .
That one I would research as the ladies i paddle with have all had
problems getting a PFD ( BA ) that fit properly.
Lord I sound so authorative!!.. The main thing is to stay safe and have
fun. You will figure out what works for you pretty soon.

  #17   Report Post  
Peter Clinch
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Charlie wrote:

Already got, although I'm looking at buying a long sleeve wesuit top for
cold days and a set of short trousers for hot days!


My first wetsuit was for sailing and had a separate long sleeve top and
trousers. Trying out paddling I dug it out of the attic and gave it a
try... and it was soon evident that although the trousers would be fine,
the top was far more trouble than it was worth. Far too much resistance
to arm movement.

Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used!


But non-negligible amounts of extra stitching. Whatever, that's the way
it goes :-(

I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but it'll
do till I work out what I really really like.


That's pretty low compared to typical WW use, which tends to be 80+.
Not that that means you should use 80+, but I'd be surprised if there
isn't a higher feather paddle you could borrow for an hour or so and
decide what you prefer. Punching out into a wind blowing on to shore (a
very typical surfing environment) can be a bit more of a hack with low
feathers.

What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.


They should be able to. Height gives a start, but beyond that it's a
lot of preference based on your personal paddling style.

Good idea. I've seen some nice rucksack ones which is good because I cycle
everywhere.


That suggests you use rucksacks for cycling, which is usually a
/horrible/ idea. Get a rack on the bike and either bungee a drybag to
it, or see if something like an Ortlieb rolltop waterproof pannier will
fit in the boat. I doubt the 20l rear rollers would fit, but the
universals might well manage to tuck in behind the seat.
Why carry weight on your back when you've a perfectly good weight
bearing bike frame to do it for you? If the boat is based where you're
paddling think about a trailer for the bike, which will easily take all
your paddling kit.

Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?


It slips behind the seat okay and isn't really any bother having. For
naughty sections of river and on the beach for surf it's a Cunning Plan
to have folk out of their boats on sentry duty with throwbags. You can
improvise a towline out of them if you need to.

Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind my
seat, but how do I keep it there?


At the moment it's probably full of buoyancy bags back the let some
air out and you've got some space. What you push in will be in a dry
bag so will add to your basic buoyancy in any case, so you don't need to
worry about the boat sinking if you have to bail out.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

  #18   Report Post  
Ewan Scott
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Is it just me that has noticed that the more pockets you get the more

money
you pay? It's such a negligable amount of fabric used! (Like, why do you
pay more for thongs? Ok, mind wandering again.)


I think they call it added value - so you pay more... No, doesn't make sense
to me either. Now thongs, we'd better discuss off group :-)


Paddles, get what you are comfortable with.


I've been using a 60 deg feather, which I'm not greatly happy with but

it'll
do till I work out what I really really like. It can be a spare after

that.
What is the shaft length relative to? I mean, is it something logical

like
the taller you are the longer your paddle shaft length? Or it it just

what
you prefer? I guess the guys at the shop can help me with that.


The recommended measure was from floor to top of your reach with your
fingers wrapped round the top edce of the padle, if you know what I mean.
But for WW most people are going for shorter paddles.


Throw bag - 15 metres.


Would you reccomend this even for a newbie? I know how to use it (I work

as
a lifeguard) but I'd be worried about carrying it for some strange reason!
Do you think that all adult kayakers should have one? Where abouts do you
carry yours BTW?


I strap mine in behind the seat. Discard the chest harness, you'll rarely
use a throw line from your boat. But if inspecting rapids you should always
take your paddle and throw line with you, since by efinition what you are
looking at has a higher element of risk. If you have the gear with you and
someone falls in you can perform a rescue. If only one has the gear and he
falls in...

Already got, not allowed on the water with the club without them.

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to

tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small

metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.


Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting one.



You won't need it straight away, but you'll want one sooner or leter. I hate
carrying it.

A sling and a crab for hauling your boat up and down embankments. We

have
a
2m sling and a self locking crab - if you can find a piece of cork

thread
the sling theough the cork in case you drop it in the water.


Where do I get these? Anything that makes my boat easier to carry is

good!

Any outdoor shop that does climbing gear.


Spray deck that fits quite tightly, neoprene is best. - tip, you can run
silicone sealant under the lip of the cockpit to make a better seal -

but
it
does come undone - you can also seal all screwheads the same way.


Again, I'm having problems with this one. I can't seem to find a decent
neoprene deck with a small enough waist to fit properly.


Eat more chips :-)

Emergency kit - buy a spare bung for your boat and find some plastic

sealant
of some sort to carry with you. Plus all the FA kit you will need -

don't
forget you own personal medication - you might not be able to give

someone
else codiene, but you can give it to yourself if you need it.


Where the hell do you carry all this stuff? I'd be able to fit it behind

my
seat, but how do I keep it there?


You are supposed to tie it in, but if you deflate your buoyancy bags, stuff
the gear in evenly, some left side, some right, and re-inflate, you'll be
okay - BTW, don't forget your flasks, changes of clothes, etc all have to go
in there too :-)

Ewan Scott


  #19   Report Post  
Ewan Scott
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to
tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small

metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.


Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting

one.

Wouldn't bother personally, shoujldn't be towing on moving water anyway,
and on flat water a sling and crab do just as well, and are more generally
useful.


Well you can use the sling and crab for other things, but towing with a
sling and crab is uncomfortable and the release can be awkward. I must
admit, that I've only seen a tow line used in anger once, and it was obvious
that a quick release with an elasticated shock absorber would have been much
easier on the towing paddler. The towed paddler made no effort to paddle and
was "dead in the water" as it were, so all the strain was on the towing
paddler and a sling around one shoulder would have been a real strain.

I have tow lines because I'm a coach and we use them for training and have
them handy just in case we need them. I've never taken one on a river
though.

Ewan Scott


  #20   Report Post  
Alan Adams
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In message
"Ewan Scott" wrote:

Tow line - if you buy one get an elasticated one - it is far easier to

tow
with than the non elasticated type - also, make sure there is a small
metal
crab on the end rather than a plastic clip.

Again, a good idea for a newbie? I'd be really worried about getting

one.

Wouldn't bother personally, shoujldn't be towing on moving water anyway,
and on flat water a sling and crab do just as well, and are more generally
useful.


Well you can use the sling and crab for other things, but towing with a
sling and crab is uncomfortable and the release can be awkward. I must
admit, that I've only seen a tow line used in anger once, and it was obvious
that a quick release with an elasticated shock absorber would have been much
easier on the towing paddler. The towed paddler made no effort to paddle and
was "dead in the water" as it were, so all the strain was on the towing
paddler and a sling around one shoulder would have been a real strain.

I have tow lines because I'm a coach and we use them for training and have
them handy just in case we need them. I've never taken one on a river
though.


There are two different towing scenarios - which require different solutions.

First, tired paddler or spare boat on flat water. This is what the towing
belt systems are for.

Second - recovering a lost boat to the bank in whitewater. Don't use a
towing belt or cows tail here, as there won't be enough pull for the quick
release to work properly, but there will be enough to get you into trouble.
This is where you use the sling over the shoulder, as you can release
easily, without missing more than two paddle strokes. As it's only a short
distance/time, comfort isn't important, safety is.



Ewan Scott



--
Alan Adams

http://www.nckc.org.uk/
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