alcoons Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Need advice. I have a Northwater QuickTow that has worked adequately the few times I have had to do a limited tow -- usually just off the rocks or a limited distance. My present boat has a nice tow attachment point built-in behind the cockpit. Looking at the Deck-Mounted Tow System and associated Instructions at http://www.northwater.com/html/tow_systems.html makes we wonder if it is worth the complication (at least for this system). I am leary of reaching behind for a quick-release...seems when you are in real trouble it is likely to be hard to do. Opinions? Should I get a deck-mounted system? What kind? Can I rerig my present belt? What should I watch out for if I do go to a deck-mount? Thanks in advance, Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob budd Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 We have home brewed deck towing systems on most of our boats. They include a "transom" and a quick release right behind the cockpit. I don't see an issue with its position, its as close or closer as compared to the spare paddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick stoehrer Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 i had a p&h quest that i believe had that same hard point directly behind the cockpit and a boat mounted tow is exactly what i rigged. what i used was a pelican shackle ( i think that's what it's called) with a short length of line attached to pull to release the shackle and then that released the rig from that hard point. in all, i was happy with what i rigged. for long tows, there is just nothing as comfy as the shock and pull that you normally feel around your waist now gets transferred to the boat. the BIG drawback i found was that if that shackle released and you didn't know it, the damn thing was comfy enough that you might not realize that you no longer have the other boat under tow....and boy, don't you know i found that out at really the wrong time? you'll have to put your splits on the foredeck as any line played out along the rear deck might foul up in them if they're stored there. i didn't find reaching/releasing the the shackle was difficult. use a waist tow now...i have no complaints...just a little less comfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 There is nothing more versatile and easier to use than a waist tow system. A good waist rig is: - simple - comfortable - easy to share with other padders - fast and easy to deploy - fast and easy to stow - fast and easy to re-deploy - fast and easy to release from the towing paddler - fast and easy to re-attach to the towing paddler Do you have specific complaints about yours? If so, perhaps we can suggest some modifications. Both the Northwater "Quick Release Rescue Tow Line" and the "Sea Tec" rig are excellent products if you want something better than what you currently have. I have yet to see a deck-mounted rig that stacks up well against good waist rigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick stoehrer Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 the issue is the line being on the rear deck and the splits being on the rear deck. the line can get caught up in the splits so that when you release the tow, the line won't clear and gets fouled up in the splits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoons Posted July 30, 2007 Author Share Posted July 30, 2007 Hi Brian. As I asked in my post, "Should I get a deck mounted tow system." I am happy with what I have, tow rarely, so it is vrey likely I will stay with what I have. Thanks for everyones input. Al Al Coons Cetus-Red/White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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