Advice on Contact Tows!^

[Lancskayaker]

Quick release or "snatch" shackles are the answer. Have one of these on the end attached to the towing boat then should the need arrise then a quick pull on the release ring and the tow line will be released no matter how much load is on it. They can be purchased form chandleryworld.co.uk, link below.

http://www.chandleryworld.co.uk/catalog ... 039-2.html

also on the other end of the tow line use snap hooks rather than crabine hooks. Carbine hooks generally have teeth which will snag on deck lines where as snap hooks are smooth so will not snag.

http://www.chandleryworld.co.uk/catalog ... 151-2.html


Andy

[MikeB]

Quick release or "snatch" shackles are the answer. Have one of these on the end attached to the towing boat then should the need arrise then a quick pull on the release ring and the tow line will be released no matter how much load is on it. They can be purchased form chandleryworld.co.uk, link below.

http://www.chandleryworld.co.uk/catalog ... 039-2.html

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the same sort of thing which Jim warns against using? As per his post earlier in the thread?

Kim (and all), the piston type snap shackle is notorious for jamming under load, if there is sufficient pull on the line the friction in the piston stops it sliding back and the wire ring will often straighten out and detach without moving it.

Jim

[mick m]

Im tending to think that in most situations thers rearly a full tention load on a tow line all the time, and releasing under tention mabe isent as much an isue as peopal think

[Oarsome]

Okay, this may be a stupid comment, but what's wrong with a tied rope and a sharp knife?


Edit: Or perhaps a couple of rope shackles in combination with said knife:

[geoffm]

Im tending to think that in most situations thers rearly a full tention load on a tow line all the time, and releasing under tention mabe isent as much an isue as peopal think

except the situation where you need a quick release probably means that it is under tension, either through the other boat being surfed and dragging you with it or you being capsized and dragged by the other boat.....
being upside down and unable to roll because you can't disengage from the other boat could be a real bummer Mick :-)

[Keith White]

Did some contact tow stuff with just a Karabiner. Works great and is very fast, especially bow --> stern and you can paddle over both boats whilst talking to your passenger.
My personal choice would likely be a cowtail though. On our SOT's we use the anchor trolley karabiner.

[TechnoEngineer]

This will rarely be an issue on a contact tow because you just need to pull the other boat close for half a second to release the shackle, if however you do require to be able to release under load you need to be looking at this type of snap shackle.

£55 each!!!! Strewth!

[nickcrowhurst]

I've just got four of these plastic carabiners, (3.25 inches long),for about £2 each. They're strong enough to tow water skiers:
http://www.marine-products.com/seadog-s ... 110-1.html
Nick.

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

I've just got four of these plastic carabiners, (3.25 inches long),for about £2 each. They're strong enough to tow water skiers:
http://www.marine-products.com/seadog-s ... 110-1.html
Nick.

That's dead like the one on my Ocean Pro. I was dubious about it at first but, having used it, it's rock solid - the decklines will snap a long time before it does and it floats, so there's no need for a float on the end of the towline. No reason why it shouldn't be just as effective on either end of a short/contact tow setup.

[nickcrowhurst]

I agree. The floating aspect is a bonus on my regular towline, also. There's no distributor that I can find in the U.K. I'm flying to Minneapolos, Minnesota, USA tomorrow for 6 weeks (Kayak camping on the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior for some of it.) I can bring some more back with me, so you gals and guys can PM me if you want some brought back. Alternatively I can speak to the manufacturer about having a UK distributor. There's none listed on its website: http://www.sea-dog.com/search/60736
Nick.

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

I agree. The floating aspect is a bonus on my regular towline, also. There's no distributor that I can find in the U.K. I'm flying to Minneapolos, Minnesota, USA tomorrow for 6 weeks (Kayak camping on the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior for some of it.) I can bring some more back with me, so you gals and guys can PM me if you want some brought back. Alternatively I can speak to the manufacturer about having a UK distributor. There's none listed on its website: http://www.sea-dog.com/search/60736
Nick.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sea-Dog-Tow-Snap-Hook-/220749233673#ht_993wt_1037

[mick m]

This will rarely be an issue on a contact tow because you just need to pull the other boat close for half a second to release the shackle, if however you do require to be able to release under load you need to be looking at this type of snap shackle.

£55 each!!!! Strewth!

you can get non big brand ones for about $12AUD if you shop around

[Skerry Packer]

Re Sea Dog snap hook. I bought a couple last time I was at Kari Tek.

[mick m]

enywhear that suply select designs parts can suply them

[TechnoEngineer]

OK I've designed my own system, based on Kim Bull's one, but with the snap shackle operating the other way round. Not tested it yet, photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 35c4a4a489

[dwrgi]

You're all bonkers,

Check this out.

http://bloyd-peshkin.blogspot.co.uk/200 ... -your.html

[trigger]

Above all else make sure its releaseable and that you can do this with your eyes shut I use a crab attached to some old throwline with a slip knot/ daisy chain securing it to my deck, leave heaps of tail so you can find and release in an emergency, it always good to have a quick way out from what you've entered into!

[trigger]

You're all bonkers,

Check this out.

http://bloyd-peshkin.blogspot.co.uk/200 ... -your.html

Does the ball not snag on your deck lines if you release in heavy conditions? I'm all for clean lines where possible!

[dwrgi]

Trigger,
Yes it does and I regret my earlier post. I have now changed to using a small quick release buckle that I had, luckily, lying around. [Same as you get on a standard tow line waist belt, but half inch webbing] You can get snagging with this even if you don't connect it the correct way round to deck lines.
So I now have a very short bungee loop fixed to end of 'short tow' this connencts to the small quick release buckle' to the deck line. I have drilled a hole in the plastic part of the buckle and tied a 'monkeys fist' bit of rope to it so easey to find and pull loose.

I even bought a £2.50 neoprene pouch that it all fits into a treat from some cheap sports shop. It was meant to be an arm band thing for running. So that was the cost for me as the rest I had.

Works a treat. I can e-mail photo if interested. don't know how to put one here.

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

Whilst I can see the potential dangers of long line towing, requiring a quick release mechanism, I'm finding it hard to imagine a situation where I'd need to do the same with a contact tow. Has anyone experienced this situation or has this whole conversation strayed into OCD territory?

[laca]

>Has anyone experienced this situation
2 times but only during a training in a rock garden. (A set came in and it was better not bongosliding the 2 kayak together)

[Ken_T]

Hi,
Yes, you do need a quick release on a contact tow, particularly if it is used in rock gardens etc. There are a number of situations where you would not want a second boat attached to you.
Ken

[cj]

https://h2okayaks.site.powa.com/engine/ ... +Snap+Hook

£3 buy enough to warrant the p&p

[Kayaks'N'Beer]

Hi,
Yes, you do need a quick release on a contact tow, particularly if it is used in rock gardens etc. There are a number of situations where you would not want a second boat attached to you.
Ken

Most of the ones I can imagine are ones where I wouldn't attach a boat to me in the first place. Bearing in mind that a contact tow works just with the victim hanging on to your boat. Loops and short tows are merely a convenience but should never be used at the expense of safety.

[Ken_T]

Hi,
I agree it is not ideal to have a boat connected to you in many situations, but it can help the boats remain in line if the casulty is still in his boat & holding onto one end of your boat. Also it can be useful when recovering an empty boat if the paddler is no longer with his boat. I think the contact tow is a tool that should be used with caution, but a quick release does make things safer.
Ken