Sea Kayaking - Thoughts on Towing

Some thoughts on towing. I have looked at commercial systems that promise to do everything but I decided to stick with my home made version. Main Points: I don't like waist tows, I prefer not to use a bag due to the re-stow issues in rough water, and I don't like rope that floats. I am also not keen on daisy chaining to transition from short to long tows. The chain tends to snag more and it is a hassle to re-chain after a long tow. I think we need to think of towing in terms of "Quick" and "Deliberate", not "short" and "long". Anyway the video shows the system I use.

[@robertgallant6422]

Good information. Love the quick release you use. If I can add my 2 cents worth to your thoughts... One advantage of the waist mount system is that it's always with you. If you have to transfer to a shore rescue, you have a throw bag with you. Even if you fell out of your boat in ruff water, clip the line to your boat and the wind can't take it away from you. To clear rocks in big surf, you may need to send your boat out first so it doesn't hit you. For longer tows, release from your waist and clip the bag (end of rope) onto your boat, best of both worlds. I have a shock absorber built in my bag. Unfortunately it does take longer to stow after use. As far as a sinking line, I have to disagree strongly. The possibility of entanglement when the rope is floating, in my opinion, is far less dangerous than every time the sinking rope goes slack, the possibility of it snagging on something on the bottom and creating a second problem is very high. Maybe not so much in the open sea, but near shore, in shallow (less than 7m - half of your 15m tow line) can drag (and snag) on rocky or coral bottoms. In Canada, a 15m "floating" rope is a Coast Gard safety requirement you need to carry with you. Just my thoughts, paddle safe!

[@davewebster9599]

Thanks for the post. Basically I am going to do everything you said.

[@johnjoe111]

Thanks for posting - really interesting. I share your dislike of the bag and that float is very neat.

[@5084204]

I dont see anything wrong with a waist-mounted systems: primo - they are quick release, secundo -I can't imagine the force needed to actually pull you out from the cockpit. You would only slower the guys in front of you (and yourself..). Gordon Brown system is clear, easy to execute and intuitive.

[@ScratchesInmygelcoat]

Thanks for the comment Martin. You are right, waist belts do have a quick release, but so do boat mounted systems with less chance of catching on your PFD. I don’t think you would be pulled out of your cockpit with a waist mounted tow during an inline tow, I was suggesting in the video that it would be uncomfortable over a meaningful distance, especially in swell. I am keen to hear any comments particularly if you have used a waist tow over a long distance with some reasonable swell, or through surf.

[@5084204]

Scratches Inmygelcoat The longest real life scenario, was a tow from The Needles all the way to Lymington, so I'm not experienced at all. On the line we have had a three ' engines', casualty and a non paddling assistant. I was in the middle and later as a third 'engine'. Forces around my belly were not extreme (maybe it's a waist lager cushioning ;) I must admit it was flat. Speaking about forces - the ferrule on my shock absorber gave away when I was pulling about 80 kg (while dragging fully loaded kayak on the mud).

[@emmanuelcachia5389]

thanks for info .like video