gThePaddler ezine test station . If you want your product reviewed and it will be of interest to paddlers - email us : reviews @ thepaddlerezine . com
REVIEWS
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to be sturdy enough so you can tow an empty kayak back to the swimmer after a capsize , but also to tow a kayak with the kayaker still in it . It has to be so snag-free as possible ( so preferably no knots in it ).
The Sea Contact Line is made of webbing instead of rope or elastics . Because of the stitching of the webbing around the carabiners , the line has no knots or unevenness , which can cause the line to snag under deck lines . The carabiners are one of a kind ; they are a Whetman Equipment specific design and easy to clip and unclip , even when wearing neoprene gloves . They are user friendly , no-snag hazard and no sharp edges . During testing , we had no unwanted releases when towing other kayaks .
The Sea Contact Line is adjustable in length so that you can fit the line onto any kayak . The remaining webbing can be folded up and secured with a neat Velcro strap . So when not in use , the Sea Contact Tow looks sharp on your front deck . When deploying the Sea Contact Line , the Velcro releases the extra webbing to the length you want . So , about the emergency release : the buckle can also be used to adjust the length of the webbing to your specific needs . It is the only short tow line we found that has such an emergency release .
FIELD TESTING ! This is our favourite part ! I have used the Sea Contact Line on my P & H Cetus sea kayak for the past couple of months . We took our time field testing because we want to try different things in different conditions . We used the Sea Contact Line during ( rescue ) training on flat calm up to rough water . As a short tow line , it is perfect ! No flaws in the design when it comes to that . User friendly and operatable with thick gloves . Same counts for the emergency / quick release . We encountered zero snags
when towing , clipping and unclipping . After use and to see how ‘ stainless ’ the components are , we never rinsed it with fresh water . I must say , I haven ’ t found any marks of oxidation yet .
The Velcro that holds the folded webbing release swiftly under tension , but it holds on to the extra webbing when not in use . The only thing that needs a bit of training is refitting the extra webbing after use , so there is no extra webbing rolling around on your front deck . When doing this a few times , it ’ s even possible to refit the setup in rough conditions ( of course , not in the surf zone ).
We keep an open mind for things , so we took the liberty of trying out other things with the Sea Contact Line . We are an advocate of tethering yourself onto your sea kayak ( on open water , but never in the surf or during rock hopping ). After a capsize , and a failed roll , you will never
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