Tows are an over looked part of kayak skills every kayaker should know. The ability to conduct a safe and proper tow requires the proper equipment and proper training. I am not going to try and teach towing in this post, instead I am going to share some thoughts and ideas.
The traditional contact tow can either be a push or a pull tow, where the person being towed is leaning on the front or back deck of the kayak of the person doing the towing.
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A popular variation to this is to combine a short tow line for added control and security. Gordon Brown gives a good example in this video.
Now seeing this method of making a short tow/contact tow system I decided to make one for myself.
I played around with this for a season. It is quick and efficient. The real drawback is limited adjustability and the lack of ability to quickly release it under tension.
Case in point; You use this tow system to retrieve someones kayak in wave conditions. A wave suddenly forms to the far outside of the break and you are in the soup and the boat you are towing is full of water and dragging you back. Quick another wave is about to break.... How are you getting free?
My wife bought this short tow/contact tow system.
This system is adjustable and has a snap buckle for a quick release. Issues, the buckle is hard to unsnap with gloves and also when under load. There is also extra strap flopping around if you have it connected across your deck for easy access. This can be a problem when you are rolling in the surf and trying to grab your spray skirt pull tab when you can not see. This story was relayed to me after it happened to someone.
Then I saw this version of the short tow with a quick release shackle.
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It can be used and stored on your deck as shown in the Gordon Brown video but you have to approach and clip from a set side or fumble around with the system to switch sides. I like this idea but it could use some improvements.
I have also seen short tow lines attached to the deck line with an Evenk/Siberian Hitch. A useful option in a pinch but you need to know how it is done and be well practiced. Also it will take precious time to set up in a rescue situation.
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Being a climber this is not much of an issue but what if we could use an adjustable system with a quick release shackle that can be attached to the deck line and ready for use.
I like this solution. I tied it up yesterday and can not wait to put it to use.
The line is connected to the quick release shackle via a prusik loop. This is an attachment hitch everyone should know.
The prusik can be slid to any point along the line but will lock in place under tension. There is a limiting knot at the end of the line to prevent sliding the prusik all the way off.
I made monkeys fist on my quick release pull to make it easy to use with gloves. You can use it on the same side as attached or across deck. On the boat in the image I have my deck line adjustment in front of my cockpit so the shackle can not be moved from side to side. On my other kayak the deck line adjustment is at the bow so this is not an issue.
There are pros and cons to all these systems but this should give you some food for thought. Try different systems and find the one that works best for you.
