How to strap on a paddle?

Reasons I want my paddle:

But what's the best way to strap it or otherwise attach it to the boat? I'm thinking some kind of velcro attachment or some kind of foam block mount...

Any suggestions appreciated!

Oh yeah - definitely been there. I don't know if this happens everywhere, but at least around DFW the wind tends to pick up right at sunset - and then it goes dead calm just after.

West Marine sells a telescoping paddle that's awesome (part number of the one I have is 190835). I have a little piece of shock cord tied where my hiking strap attaches at the rear of the cockpit. I tied a loop in the end that I can stretch over the bulge in the handle to keep it from getting lost if I capsize.

So - it just sits in the rear of the cockpit. It's kind of in the way, but it's not too bad.

I wish I had an inspection port big enough to put it down inside the boat - but it's a bit too wide to fit in my 5" port.

I recall that LooserLu uses a kayak paddle that comes apart into two pieces. He straps the pieces from the bow eye to the mast.

you could always just lie down on the bow and use your arms to paddle and plus u can get a lil extra workout thatway

Merrily said:

I recall that LooserLu uses a kayak paddle that comes apart into two pieces. He straps the pieces from the bow eye to the mast.

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Correct Merrily. I probalby have photos but not in digital form. I search for the paper photos, scan one of them and post it here.

Happy Pentecost Weekend to all

LooserLu

Dont bother with a paddle....I often get stranded on a becalmed lake too..the easiest way home is to row your way with the sail. Lots of variation in technique but what i do is stand up (your knees prob need a stretch by this point anyway) Put your feet on either side on the cockpit. Grab the boom in your right hand, tiller in the left....rock the boat gently to starboard then pull it flat whilst quickly pulling in the boom. repeat untill home.....with a little practise, you'll be amazed at how fast you'lll go....much faster than paddling and good exercise/core strength/roll tack/balance practise

LooserLu said:

...I search for the paper photos, scan one of them and post it here.

Happy Pentecost Weekend to all

LooserLu

Click to expand...

Here they are (in attachment)

I did drill 2 holes to each blade of the paddle and made a loop-line to it. If mounted to the deck, the loop line goes through the boweye. The loop line has a simlpe "squareknot". The ends of the paddles are fixed with a strap to each other (position: ~ tight behind the mast) and the mast is bettwen them.

If there is no wind and its far to the harbor:

I rig off the boom and pull the mainsheet tight to the curry cleat, to fix the boonm onto the deck. I roll up the saill complete to the mast and fix it with a strap or line. I pull out the rudder and store it in the cockpit (the same for the Silva compas, if I have mounted it to the deck).
I loose the loop line of the paddle at the boweye and also the strap that holds the 2 parts of the paddle to the deck. Then I "fix together" the 2-3 parts. (there is another 3rd part, a smaller tube for the mid bettween the two paddles, inside of one to the paddles).
Then I sit with my back to the mast and the centerboard between my legs (If there is current, I perhaps need some centerboard down, during I paddle home) then I start to paddle, the stern of the hull looks in to the direction where home is.

Ciao
LooserLu

Appreciate the response, I should mention that I have a paddle already and don't currently plan to buy a two-piece or telescoping paddle.

Right now I'm thinking velcro to the deck, just forward of the footwell on one side...

Still like any more suggestions anyone has!

Like Mr. Old n Fat said, you pump the sail.
You Sheet in the sail hard and center the rudder (even better, take out the tiller alltogether) . You stand in front of the mast, facing backwards, holding onto the mast and rock the boat from side to side. You steer the boat by heeling to one side or the other. It's surprising how fast you can get it moving this way. It beats the heck out of paddling.

It's true you really don't need a paddle. Standing on the deck straddling the cockpit, rocking the boat, and pumping the rig by pulling in the mainsheet with each rock is very fast. Fun too.

Merrily said:

It's true you really don't need a paddle. Standing on the deck straddling the cockpit, rocking the boat, and pumping the rig by pulling in the mainsheet with each rock is very fast. Fun too.

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Will keep you fit too! I have done this a few times at my local club but I would not want to have to do this for any distance.

kunstmol said:

Like Mr. Old n Fat said, you pump the sail.
You Sheet in the sail hard and center the rudder (even better, take out the tiller alltogether) . You stand in front of the mast, facing backwards, holding onto the mast and rock the boat from side to side. You steer the boat by heeling to one side or the other. It's surprising how fast you can get it moving this way. It beats the heck out of paddling.

Click to expand...

This works pretty well, it's almost like windsurfing! and is fun to do. Looks pretty cool to your friends on the beach who figure you were stuck!

I agree with the posts suggesting paddling from the bow or using kynetics to move forward in a dead calm - but if you need a paddle because of water temperature or residual chop and tide suggest you make a slimline wooden paddle that will fit through an inspection port (assuming you have a port beside the cboard).

These were developed for Australian NS14's and had the longest handle that could be stowed through the port towards the bow and a blade of simple marine plywood about 4 inches wide (to fit through the port) but probably 8 inches or more in depth (to give reasonable area). Aside from added weight (and not that much if cedar) such a paddle was sufficient to motor a 2 man 14 ft boat home against most tide and chop experienced in Sydney Harbour without too much effort.