Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - additions # 4

The neverending story. :-)

This is # 4, as you might know there sits a # 1, # 2 and # 3 here as well.

I have mounted a cam cleat and a fairlead, behind the cockpit. This gives me the option to mount the towing-system there, instead of having it on my waist. The white robe is always attached to the bag, like shown.
This is a big advance, especially while being one of the mid-persons in an rescue through surf. Should I capsize, not being able to roll up, the tow is still intact. The rest of the group can just continue with the rescue.

Another benefir from this cleat/fairlead solution, is that I can accomodate any lenght of line, I desire.

It does take a little effort to get out of the system, but so does knots, loops or what ever you have done to achieve different line-lenght.

Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - alterations # 3

This is # 3, as you might know there sits a # 1 and a # 2 here as well.

As it turned out, the split D-ring in the belt, was not quite strong enough. Especially in surf, the bag was always dangling somewhere behind me. Therefore I (reluctantly) installed the quick release buckle instead.

Only time will tell how happy I will be with this solution.

In between swims

When you finally got it nailed, I believe the C2C roll is by far the easiest roll to perform.

Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - alterations # 2

This is # 2, as you might know there sits a # 1 here as well.

As I do consider my towing-system as being the most important safety equipment, only (hopefully) surpassed by common sense, seamanship and skills, it is very important to me that my system works as efficient as possible - in my hands.

That I have seen, and experienced (in surf, moving water, rock-gardens, gulleys, etc, etc...), the importance of a fast and simple system, I do my best to pinpoint the flaws, and fix them. This is the reason why my system looks like this - other people might have other preferences, and therefore their system will look different from mine.

This is how I have had the system for quite a while.

As you can see, I am not too happy about it :-) Besides I feel it hinders me, doing forward rolls.

The bag and carabina hangs in a split D-ring. This is not too bad, but in surf and big water it ends up like this.

Which is not the best position to have it, dangling around. It is quite OK for swimming and cowboy-rescue though - that it is out of the way.

I have tried having the system at my waist - felt quite good, only I needed a quick release option of some kind. I like the simplicity of the split D-ring, only the one that came with the system was too weak for job. Had to find a stronger one.

Where do I find the D-ring..?? Any drybag has two or four of them. I already knew that the ones from Ortlieb are too soft, for this use.

Whereas the ones from Pacific Outdoor are much stiffer, though the dimensions are pretty much the same.

Having found, and replaced the D-ring on the belt with, one from the Pacific Outdoor drybag, the system now looks like this.

On the water it sits nicely under my buoyancy. The carabina is ready at hand, and the D-ring on the vest has no problem keeping it in place. Still got to test it, during a swim, and while doing a cowboy-rescue.

Close-up of the replaced D-ring on the belt.

In case it for some reason does not work to my satisfaction, I will replace the D-ring with a quick release buckle.

The D-ring on the vest is mounted with tie-bands. Not pretty - but who cares.

Thank you for listening - as you see, this seems to be a Never Ending Story :-)

Jeff Allen t(hr)owbag - alterations

As genius as this system is, there is always room for improvements. I think ;)

From left: I have changed the fix-point of the rope, from the bottom of the bag, to the D-ring in the opening. This way I do not have to rely on my flacky brain, to remember what to do, if I want to use the bag as a drogue.

Center: I made a different 'knot-system' on the carabin. The standard knots had no chance in hell to slip under the decklines, needed be.

Right: I need/like/prefer to have something very distinct to grab, when releasing.

The rope is fixed by sewing, under the heat-shrink-tube (what ever it's called in English. Someone?)

Later on I will mount a float of some kind, ca. 4m from the carabin.

I left the rope/knots in the very bottom of the bag, to maintain the standard attachment of the plastic carabin.

Other than the changes shown above, I have also shortened the belt, to be only 5'ish cm 'too long'. My  changes are, for me, improvements. Other people may have other preferences. The important thing is that we all look at our gear, with a skeptical mind, and go out and use the shit - the only way to find out what works for you, and what does not.! This also gives, that I might change back, or change something else, later on - after more trial and use.

I am aware that I will have to keep an eye on wear and tear of the rope, having it directly on the steel.

I am not the only one to alter systems. Here is how Søren Brink alters his Palm tow-system.