Throwbags

[boatsnbumps]

What is a good throwbag for kayaking?
Also, what is the difference between the polypropaline and the spectra ropes?

[matts]

in response to your first question, go to www.mongoproducts.com, he makes two different waiste bags and a "bag" style throw bag. the smaller waiste bag fits under or around your lifejacket. the larger can be worn as a waite bag rafting or taken off the belt and stuck in your boat for kayaking...he also makes a bigger "bag" as well that can be carried in the stern of your boat.

to address your second question: spectra is the way to go...period.

[Geezer]

Just get one with spectra rope... nothing else will do.

[gh]

Spectra is much stronger and doesnt stretch. Some schools of thought say that if you are dragging in someone that they will feel less of a yank when grabbing a poly rope. I would buy spectra for its strength, ah, heck nevermind just see geezers post above.

[JCKeck1]

Anyone out there have any experience with Mongo's rescue harness? Seems like a great idea if it works.

[matts]

yeah, i've used one safety boating and creeking for the last 6 years...its bomber. i've also done live bait rescues with it and hung out from the rock at toilet bowl to pull out a boat, etc, etc...i highly reccommend using one.

[Paul B]

If I remember correctly, Spectra cord is extremely strong, but has a very low melting point and therefore should not be used in situations where it would be put through a lot of friction, ie in a z-drag to free a pinned boat, or for you rock climbers to raise an injured partner. Has anyone else heard/remeber this. Has spectra cord/webbing changed in the last few years.

[Paul]

Paul B, I think you are correct about spectra's low melting temperature, which is why it's used in water rescue applications but probably not in dry (e.g., climbing) applications.

However, I don't necessarily think spectra should be avoided for use in a z-drag. In fact, z-drag (or any other mechanical advantage setup) might be the best argument for using a spectra. Since the z-drag multiplies the force that you put on it by a factor of nearly three, it seems to me that it would be pretty easy to exceed the breaking strength of a 3/8-inch polypro with two or three people pulling on the rope against a pinned boat.

[Yonder_River]

Unrelated to boating, but spectra actually is used in climbing. Just in situations where there are low chances for friction- such as for runners and cordalettes. -D

[WhiteLightning]

The most important thing is to have a rope and know how to use it. Take a swiftwater rescue course first and foremost. A lot of guys like the Mongo ropes with the waist belt because the rope is always with you on your body no matter if you are boating, swimming, or taking a leak on shore and see a swimmer that needs a rope. There's a lot of different factors- length, width (some longer ropes are skinny and hard for a swimmer to grab) strength (a spectra rope has tensile strength of over 1000lbs usually, polypro is around 60% of that), cost (spectra is $$), wear and tear (sun, dirt, mildew degrade ropes), etc.

I would say bottom line- take a class, then you will have an idea of what you should carry. There's other stuff that goes with the rope too- carbiners, knife, etc. that you should have. If I'm in trouble and you throw me a rope, I'll grab it no matter which material it is!