An original Whetman Equipment product.
Made in the Czech Republic. Assembled in Devon. |
Sea Guide TowlineDesigned to be used by guides, leaders & coaches.
Available now in kayak shops The priority in making this device was functionality. The user is likely to deploy the device on a regular basis & needs a simple system which can be repacked in rough water and then be deployed again. The bag has two tows:
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LEFT SIDE
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RIGHT SIDE
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LEFT SIDE: Reach on the left hand side to access the main towline connector stowed on the fixed loop.
RIGHT SIDE: On the right is the second ultra short tow with green connector stowed on the right fixed loop.
RIGHT SIDE: On the right is the second ultra short tow with green connector stowed on the right fixed loop.
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The two connectors are positioned further forward on the belt on large easy to locate fixed loops. There is a one way zip which only permits the main tow to be stowed in one position that is on the left side. Therefore the main tow can only be located on one side, keeping things simple. The zip pull is a yellow ball on a cord. There is a wide band of reflective element on the top & side of the bag. |
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Main Tow
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The 14metre towline is made of floating 19mm tape connected back to the stainless ring & elastic webbing which is connected to a central pivot point inside the bag. The tape is very light, easy to repack & dries quickly. The image here shows the full length deployed. |
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The image here shows a 7 metre tow deployed, given the connector returns back to clip into the ring. This system allows all the tow force on a 7m tow to be directed back to the main elastic webbing & central pivot point. This reduces the risk of a half tow pulling assymetricaly & causing the bag to rotate & the quick release to rotate out of its expected position.
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The float can be positioned anywhere on the tape line and will stay in position. This is an advantage when the connector must be fed under decklines in a raft situation then the float will remain outside of the lines. The tape creates a very low profile which prevents snagging whilst releasing the tow.
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Second Tow
The ultra short second tow is a separate line of tape which is connected directly to the central pivot point and exits out of a drain hole in the base of the bag. It is deployed without unzipping the bag.
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This second tow can be used as a contact towline. It has many other uses which includes to connect to the main line with a clove hitch enabling a shorter length of main line to be deployed. It can be used to cinch around a paddle shaft & allow it to float free, also useful should a throwline rescue be deployed into a gully; once thrown the throwline end can be clipped into the short tow & the rescuer is then hands free to prepare to tow out the casualty. Another application is should the wearer be assisting from the rocks on a rocky landing in swell he may wish to be held in position on a belay line connected to the short tow to prevent being washed into the sea.
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The zip teeth are robust & chunky to survive sand and grit from the sea. Both the slider & teeth are made of HD plastic. There is a taped stopper close to the end of the main tow to prevent the line escaping out of the closed zip.
The bag contains two hard floats to give positive buoyancy if dropped in the water. The bag material is waterproof and so does not absorb water & become heavy.
The size of the bag is generous to ensure ease of repacking the line whilst at sea in your kayak. To repack rotate the bag onto your spraydeck & slacken off the belt to allow the bag to sit forward of your PFD. The top will naturally open up and stay up giving space to repack the tape. Paddle away from the line and trail it over your shoulder. This allows you to repack it by pulling it down off the shoulder into the bag.
The belt is 50mm webbing with a cam buckle release & toggle. There is a slider to allow adjustment of the buckle position to be set central around your waist.
The bag contains two hard floats to give positive buoyancy if dropped in the water. The bag material is waterproof and so does not absorb water & become heavy.
The size of the bag is generous to ensure ease of repacking the line whilst at sea in your kayak. To repack rotate the bag onto your spraydeck & slacken off the belt to allow the bag to sit forward of your PFD. The top will naturally open up and stay up giving space to repack the tape. Paddle away from the line and trail it over your shoulder. This allows you to repack it by pulling it down off the shoulder into the bag.
The belt is 50mm webbing with a cam buckle release & toggle. There is a slider to allow adjustment of the buckle position to be set central around your waist.
Options! The Line Up
Tape & Argon anodised krabs
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Tape & Stainless krabs
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Rope & Argon krabs or Stainless krabs
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Maintenance
Sea salt crystals can form & block up the karabiners springs and so we highly recommend rinse in hot water after use & spray with silicone spray.
Wash the bag occasionally in hot water to free up the zip from salt crystals.
Argon Carabiner Maintenance
The Argon is made by DMM. With this carabiner the spring is inside the gate in a tube and must be cleaned with hot water, allowed to drain to clear out any dirt and salt and then lubricated with silicone or oil. If the spring is not cleaned then it will become blocked and stiff; if the gate is then forced open the black retainer will be damaged. After washing hang the carabiner vertically to allow it to drain (see below). These carabiners do demand more care and maintenance and the benefit is they are bigger and easier to handle, and look really nice, compared with smaller stainless connectors. There is a trade off between being better to use and higher maintenance.
Sea salt crystals can form & block up the karabiners springs and so we highly recommend rinse in hot water after use & spray with silicone spray.
Wash the bag occasionally in hot water to free up the zip from salt crystals.
Argon Carabiner Maintenance
The Argon is made by DMM. With this carabiner the spring is inside the gate in a tube and must be cleaned with hot water, allowed to drain to clear out any dirt and salt and then lubricated with silicone or oil. If the spring is not cleaned then it will become blocked and stiff; if the gate is then forced open the black retainer will be damaged. After washing hang the carabiner vertically to allow it to drain (see below). These carabiners do demand more care and maintenance and the benefit is they are bigger and easier to handle, and look really nice, compared with smaller stainless connectors. There is a trade off between being better to use and higher maintenance.
Training & Practise
As with all rescue kit training & practise is essential before use to ensure correct & safe application of the device.
As with all rescue kit training & practise is essential before use to ensure correct & safe application of the device.