ThePADDLER
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. youtube . com / channel / UC aEE9sy7HAZti-0Of3ma2Ow lose your kayak in the very first and critical moments . The best way of tethering for us is with a short tow line . We always tether the short tow line onto the loop of our spray deck with one of the carabiners . Tests with that kind of setup , in general , have proven very successful .
However , during testing with that kind of setup , with the Sea Contact Line , the carabiner came loose from the loop of our spray deck – twice ! We checked , and the snag-free carabiners have one downside , the webbing from the loop of the spray deck slips under the carabiner clip . Dangerous , so not advisable .
So we looked if there was any other way we can use the Sea Contact Line as a tether . And yes ! We came up with two solutions ! Put the whole Sea Contact Line through the loop of the spray deck , and attach the carabiners onto the deck lines as you normally do . It works perfect , and in case of emergency , there is still a quick-release – no hindrance at all when pulling your spray deck to a wet exit . The second option is to attach one of our carabiners onto the Sea Contact Line ( with a recessed clipped carabiner ). Both options work well .
Since the Sea Contact Line is adjustable – we used and tested it a few times to raft up two sea kayaks . We even did a few scenarios with it : suggest your kayak buddy cannot paddle any further , and there is a risk that he / she will capsize ( sea sickness , exhaustion ). Primarily you will stabilise your buddy yourself , leaving you with limited options to call for help ( operate
VHF radio , activate PLB ). When deploying the Sea Contact Line through the deck lines of both rescuer ’ s and casualty ’ s kayak , and then adjust and fasten the webbing with the quick release , you can make a very solid raft ! No way the casualty will drop in between the two kayaks , nor will he / she fall to the outside . And the rescuer can keep his / her hands-free to do other things . And if the need arises , the raft can be undone by simply using the emergency release .
We have got some tips from other sea kayakers as well ; the Sea Contact Tow can be used to carry an expedition laden sea kayak with a few people ( as you would use a standard sling underneath the hull ). In an emergency , the Sea Contact Line can be used as an arm sling since it is fully adjustable .
CONCLUSION ? We did not find any other short tow line ( DIY or not ) that matches the quality and possibilities of the Whetman Equipment Sea Contact Line MK11 . Except for the unwanted release of the loop ( webbing ) during tethering ourselves , we found no flaws in design and no flaws in build quality . The Sea Contact Line is not cheap but worth every penny . If you know the price of separate , marine-grade carabiners and emergency releases , you will understand that the price of the Sea Contact Line is fair . Even a blind man can see that there has been put a lot of thought into the design and upgrading it to the limit ( hence the MK11 ).
Have fun , and take care of each other on the water !