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MDO · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:45 am Post subject: Paddle float???

I have the 4-part aluminum paddles for both our AE kayaks. It occured to me this morning as I paddled in nearby lake, that is the paddle that I had rested crosswise accidently rolled over, it would sink to the bottom of the lake... What does everyon do to prevent this??

JCOOLEY · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

The paddles typically have real or fake cork pieces in the shafts that keep them afloat. Next time you are out paddling, when you go to push off shore, while you are in shallow water, drop your paddle in to test it. Some people use paddle leashes and connect it to their kayak.

Jeremy

PJohanson · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 268

Make a paddle leash for your paddle! It's way cheaper than buying the expensive coiled leashes with velcro and fasteners. Buy a length of cord at a hardware store or a kayak&canoe store. Tie one end to the paddle and the other to a deck bungee.
Use a knot you can untie with one hand. I use a clovehitch. My leash is five metres long (about 5 yards). I double it, tie the middle to the paddle and the ends to the deck bungee. That way, there's lots of cord to tie a knot, maybe an extra half hitch at each end. And if I have to use my leash for something else, it's long enough to be useful, not just four or five feet long.
The idea of a leash is so that if you fall out of the boat, the paddle & kayak stay together and you only have to hang on to the boat.

MDO · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject: Paddle & safety

I realized today that indeed, the metal paddle floats!

I like the string idea, I'll have to try that.

One precaution we do have now is a small extra paddle on board.

Cheers,

Pearly · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 266 Location: Singapore

For a paddle leash, you can use a coiled telephone chord or something similar. Put a D clip (Carabiner) at one end, fold the chord over and use a cable tie to fasten the end of the chord. Do the same at the paddle shaft and you have a flexible friend. The coiled leash just keeps it out of the way.

If you ever capsize, hold onto the paddle and you have your yak!

All my fishing gear is fastened onto the yak with coiled leashes - leash it or lose it!

PJohanson · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 268

The idea of holding onto the paddle if you fall out and your boat will stay with you too doesn't always work.
My friend Dennis was kayak surfing at Sombrio Beach, and tipped over. The wave filled his AdvancedFrame kayak, and pulled it away from him. Dennis kept a grip on his paddle, but the leash snapped.
Dennis says to keep a grip on your boat, and let the leash keep your paddle with the boat.
(He did manage to get his kayak back, but it took a little swimming to do so.)