Hi all, Gringo you are on the money wit the the slip link, like a carabiner, on a loop from one aka to the other;
Quote: I am still not clear on the tow point idea. I am thinking now maybe a slip link, like a carabiner, on a loop from one aka to the other. That would let the tow point slide along the rope as the boat turned. The only difference was I was thinking fixed not sliding/slip. Slip may actually be better, my concern is when it slips across, the main line is then off center. The key being sharing the load evenly across both sides of the kayak and I think from center as well.
I would say try the slip first to satisfy curiosity, but make sure you have enough length in the rope that you can add a fixed dropper loop, you can then try it fixed as well.
Drifting holding the anchor and then securing again if you spot anything, is one of my favorite ways to dive, you see so much. As for anchoring, seems you have it well sorted. I hope I did not sound as if I was giving you a lesson, simple saw your photo's and how you currently have your anchor rigged and thought I would pass on my findings and technique's. One other thing I should have added, those little anchors though great, have a bad tendency to propeller and a terror to twist your anchor rope, if you fit chain, try adding a small swivel or even without chain adding a swivel has helped eliminate the twist.
Thanks for the conch link, I will have a read.
@ Nohuhu, sorry I would take some photo's and get some measurements but I am pretty much unable to handle my kayak and gear at the moment. Most zip ties you get are actually to strong and will not break when needed, when I first started I had to cut my rope and return with dive gear to retrieve the anchor because the zip tie would not break on several occasions. I now use the really tiny cheap ones that come in kits from KMart and the likes, the 20lb fishing line is just about perfect however and I normally have some on board as I am always fishing off mine as well. I have used this method for 4 years now and have complete faith in it strength wise.
To be clear, I almost always solo dive from my kayak, the following is based on solo diving unless specified.
If I am not being towed/drift dive or towing my kayak (slack water) when diving and have the anchor set, then I always run a reel/line from the anchor line so I have a constant connection. The only time I will not run a reel, is when there is a buddy watch on the surface either on a second kayak or boat, or a buddy watch sitting on mine. Most of my dives are done as a drift in current or as a tow during slack water (tide change). During our peak holiday season, due to increased boat traffic, it does become quite difficult to drift dive, I don't find it as hard to tow dive but then I do not cover as much ground and depending on the depth, does make it a fraction harder to dive (more air consumption). As the Holiday season backs off a little, I can normally find an area that I am happy enough to drift in and this greatly extends dive times.
Only once have I had concerns of my kayak being ransacked while it has been left alone on the surface. It turned out to be a concerned mum, out with the family on their boat. Though they truly were not really aware of dive flag regulations etc, the dad was quite satisfied that the thing blowing bubbles was doing it regular and was attached to the rope that was attached to the kayak, mum on the other hand was certain the owner was gone, the bubbles were whatever was now devouring me and someone needed to rescue me. The kids on the other hand, well when I surfaced, regained their excitement and fishing was no longer the priority. So after the whole Hobie what is it chat, and then the whole diving of the Hobie thing chat, I asked if they had a plastic shopping bag, filled it with fresh scallops as payment for their kind concern and parted company. Mind you, I do have a very discreet video camera running while I am down, just in case anyone takes a liking to my rods etc that are always with me.
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