Have any of you found ways to fix a second pair of kayak paddles to either front or rear deck so they:
1. Are accessible in emergency especially if on rear deck.
2. Don't get whacked in big conditions, throw spray, etc.
3. Don't scratch the crap out of everything.
4. Don't complicate towing, being towed, and re-entry?
Thanks ahead of time for considering this!
PVC?
I think Steve(flatpick) had a post a while back about using PVC pipe to hold the shaft end of a 2-piece spare. I don’t remember the details.
i think really the only way I would
suggest storing a spare is if you have a 2 piece. Store one half on the front deck and one half on the back deck. learn to roll with 1/2 a paddle, so that if you really need to use it you can just pull it off and roll up while capsized. I use a 2-piece betsie bay inuit as my spare. I practice with the half a paddle on the back deck. I’ve gotten so I can actually pull the paddle off and put it together and roll up. But this is nothing more than a flat water trick.
Why are you worried about scratching your boat?
Scratches
Yeah, scratches = use = love! Quite a bit of love on my decks from stowed paddles (but light color hides it OK too).
I like my GP storm (76") on the foredeck as a spare more and more. Storm is practically in set up position already if I need to go to it - and feels just like my regular paddle for rolling. Bungees suffice to hold things for now, and I may switch to more Greenland style lines and sliders at some point (most likely if I ever build).
I used to keep my spare EPs broken down on the aft deck, but since I got the storm my rear deck stays clear unless I bring the wing along. No reaching around to get at the paddle and no rescue or towing issues that way. I have enough room up front for my full size 88" GP (and storm will fit aft too - but why?).
Kim has 2 full length GPs (for her that's an 80" and an 82") and whichever one she's not paddling with is her spare (stowed up front).
If I had a 2 piece GP I'd probably leave it assembled and on the foredeck like I do with the Storm. I want to get one for travel - probably the only time I'd need to break it down.
Next play day I need to try rolling with other paddles. So far I've only used my GP & Storm and Kim's Beale. All are quite similar. I want to try EPs and wing too - and half paddles as you mention - all grabbed from various locations, etc. Trying new things lets me hang onto my perpetual beginner status (and add more scrathces).
Spare paddle holders
Flatpick’s spare paddle holder seems to be the norm around here. Usually keeps the paddle in place in less that mild conditions. My own experience is that by pointing the blades powerface down on the deck they are less likely to be influenced by breaking waves, however they tent to mar the deck finish in that configuration.You can check detail photos at http://www.secondwindsports.net/paddling%20photos.htm
Falcon
storm is a great spare to have
on the foredeck.
My only concern is if you do a lot of long distance camping trips if you really break a paddle, would you want to paddle for a week with a storm paddle?
For day paddles it’s great.
Thanks all!
Yeah, not concerned with scrathes, major gouges yes… Mostly as you all have commented how to have them not be ripped off in surf, etc. accessible.
Thanks, will move ahead on it!
fastex buckles nylon straps
nylon straps fitted to deck fittings (even tied around both sides of a stout bungie line) with side release buckles can be tightened after loading the spares. You can use bungies at the far end and two of these straps one for each paddle. Reach back and hit the buckle grab and roll. the second buckle can be hidden by the top paddle to that you will not release both halves.
Scratches? get over it. Holes are another matter! There are always urethane protective patches from autozone etc, but really. On the other hand even I might want to make a pad for the buckle sandwiched between the blades. Dings (not scratches but dings) in a paddle surface are functional. Or you can set up the second buckle so it is in a different place fron the top one (top one near the shear line, bottom one near the centerline.
Half-paddle rolls are fun and will teach you to keep your head down. I wonder if getting one means that I am on my way to other harder rolls.
Well, you said it.
Great spare for day paddling - but then some day paddles can be pretty long too.
Camping I’d have a hatchet and knife and would carve another paddle!
GP has made me pretty retarded with a euro blade any more - so I’d be better off with the Storm than an EP. Might bring one if with a group with non-GP paddlers.
If I were coastal tripping somewhere really rugged I’d consider another full size (and the Storm), since I have plenty of room for one (only 12" difference in loom between my GP and Storm - identical otherwise). GPs on the lie flat on the decks and are pretty much out of my way. I could probably carry two full GP spares (fore) and two storms (aft) and not have any serious wind/tow/rolling issues.
Made one tonight
It’s a kind of trapazoidal shaped sock to recieve paddle blades. Opening is about 9" and terminates into a 3" end, so it should hold a euro or GP equally stoutly. I’ve got it mounted on the bow right now, but it could easily be transfered to the back. I’ll take pics and post them tommorow.
staps and fastex yes!
Yeah baby, sounds like a good way.
Evan
Will try to post a pic
I use the straps and fastex buckles, they’re unobtrusive when not in use and can be used for other things as well. Installation on my Prijon Catalina was almost too simple, as D-rings are already included at the hatch corners on these boats.
Paddle Sack Pic Up
Alrighty, here is a picture of the spare paddle retaining sack I crafted:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/281419423/298437791aKTNOm
You'll notice that the upper lip is rounded. That is to aid in inserting your paddle tip into the sack. You just place your paddle tip in that area, push slightly down, and your paddle blade should slide right in. Then the shaft ends are secured under the bungees.
Obviously, since I just made it, I haven't had time to use it. But the perceived advantages would be that it protects the deck from blade scraping, is low profile, and seems very secure. It can also be moved or removed on a whim, and packs down to just about nothing. It was easy to make, and you can easily alter the design to your own boat. Let me know what you think!
P.S. Let me know if that link doesn't work. I think it should, I logged out to get it.
HOLD ON TO THE ONE YOU HAVE.
Sure…
Fine goal to have, but not always the way the chips fall. Why do you wear a seatbelt? The answer is “just in case.”
Paddle holder
I use Flatpick's method, and it is cheap and very reliable, even in surf...
http://community.webshots.com/user/droy05
Dan
it’s always the handles who have been
posting a month who spout this junk and nothing else.
Go paddle a pond, or maybe you are such an expert that your paddle never breaks and the massive breaking waves you surf never threaten to rip the paddle out of your hand. Nigel foster breaks a paddle every three years on average, but, hey, we all know that you are better than him. I have never had a paddle break or lost one but I have seen it happen to great paddlers in surf.
Sure !
Go to Boaters world or West Marine, and pickup some bungee cord and a plastic safety hook/clip kit and make a couple of bungees sized to fit from your side safety line to the other side.
I cut most of the safety clip off from the hook, since they are only a pain in the butt to hook and unhook.
As far as scratching; just unhook the bungee rather than sliding the paddles out.
Cheers,
JackL