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Re: Deck Lines
By:Alex Ferguson
Date: 4/23/2017, 5:28 am
In Response To: Re: Deck Lines (JohnAbercrombie)

[quote]Kayak deck lines aren't like car seat belts and bike helmets, which some find uncomfortable and inconvenient. I just don't see deck lines as a problem at all. [/quote]
Decklines are the "seat belts" of sea kayaks. In this country we wear seat belts and bicycle helmets.

How many reading this thread have actually had to do a rescue where failing to do it would mean a death? In how many cases were the seas slight?

I've had two incidents and both due to the paddler failing to brace, one turning to look to see where I was, the second incident during turning to run before the wind. Winds below 20 knots and 15 knots. Both cases an instinctive brace would have saved them. Both cases decklines made it an easy two-boat-rescue. Both cases the paddler was back in their kayak within ~15 seconds of me reaching their kayak - they had something to grab, I had something to hold the kayak by.

Also no dragging one kayak over the other and wasting time. It is easier and faster to pump after a rescue than trying to partially empty by "messing about". I'm talking sea kayaks. We don't consider it a sea kayak if it doesn't have at least two bulkheads.

Next, once rescued that is half the job. You need to get the rescued paddler to "safer" waters. Loss of confidence is likely so an attached tow is the way to do it. Attach to a deckline or toggle on the towed kayak and use a short line attached beside the front cockpit of the towing kayak. The rescued holds the aft decklines at the stern.

Remember I'm talking about actually having to do it, not theoretical.

Comms for getting help? No cell phone coverage then, probably not now in either place. No VHF coverage. Spot or PLB - forget them. No time to mess about.

As for decklines breaking, anything less than 6 mm diameter is too thin. 8 mm is better and easier to hold. If sun damage has caused breakage it seems there has been a lack of routine maintenance and they must be near or more than 10 years old. We're not talking string, we're talking rope.

Messages In This Thread

Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Rich D -- 4/17/2017, 8:23 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/17/2017, 8:38 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Bob Ten Eyck -- 4/17/2017, 1:37 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/17/2017, 4:43 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Bob Ten Eyck -- 4/17/2017, 6:54 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/17/2017, 10:00 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/17/2017, 9:52 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/18/2017, 8:25 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/18/2017, 9:22 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Robert W -- 4/18/2017, 1:16 pm
deck lines
JayBabina -- 4/19/2017, 8:16 am
Re: deck lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/21/2017, 3:34 pm
Re: deck lines
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/21/2017, 6:48 pm
Re: deck lines
Mac McCaskie -- 4/21/2017, 7:56 pm
Re: deck lines
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/25/2017, 10:50 am
Re: deck lines
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/22/2017, 11:58 am
Re: deck lines
Bill Hamm -- 4/25/2017, 12:15 am
Re: deck lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/25/2017, 1:59 am
Re: deck lines
Bill Hamm -- 4/26/2017, 12:52 am
Re: deck lines
JayBabina -- 4/21/2017, 8:24 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Bill Hamm -- 4/20/2017, 1:16 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/20/2017, 10:48 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/20/2017, 11:50 am
Re: Deck Lines
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/21/2017, 3:06 pm
Re: Deck Lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/21/2017, 3:15 pm
Re: Deck Lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/21/2017, 3:59 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Alex Ferguson -- 4/23/2017, 5:28 am
Re: Deck Lines
Etienne Muller -- 4/23/2017, 10:33 am
Re: Deck Lines
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/23/2017, 4:39 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Alex Ferguson -- 4/24/2017, 7:07 pm
Re: Deck Lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/24/2017, 7:42 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Alex Ferguson -- 4/24/2017, 7:56 pm
Re: Deck Lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/24/2017, 9:38 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Alex Ferguson -- 4/24/2017, 10:07 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Bill Hamm -- 4/25/2017, 12:25 am
Re: Deck Lines
Roy Martin -- 4/25/2017, 10:32 am
Re: Deck Lines
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/24/2017, 7:46 pm
Re: 10 Second Pump
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 4/25/2017, 9:22 am
Re: 10 Second Pump
Alex Ferguson -- 4/25/2017, 8:31 pm
Re: 10 Second Pump
Etienne Muller -- 4/26/2017, 3:09 am
Re: 10 Second Pump
Alex Ferguson -- 4/26/2017, 3:43 am
Re: 10 Second Pump
Etienne Muller -- 4/26/2017, 3:44 pm
Re: 10 Second Pump
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/26/2017, 11:58 am
Re: 10 Second Pump
Alex Ferguson -- 4/26/2017, 5:55 pm
Re: 10 Second Pump
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 4/27/2017, 10:11 am
Re: Deck Lines
Ken Blanton -- 4/21/2017, 6:59 pm
Re: Deck Lines
Bill Hamm -- 4/25/2017, 12:21 am
Re: Deck Lines
Etienne Muller -- 4/25/2017, 2:31 am
Re: Deck Lines *PIC*
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 4/25/2017, 8:43 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 4/21/2017, 11:59 am
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
JohnAbercrombie -- 4/21/2017, 1:22 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
Mike Bielski -- 4/17/2017, 2:05 pm
Re: Strip: Varnish - Gloss or Satin?
anewhouse -- 4/17/2017, 5:10 pm
Gloss and Matt?
JayBabina -- 4/17/2017, 5:19 pm