Paddle, Where?

Just looking for some advice. I keep my extension paddle bungee corded under the back of my tramp. Kind of a hassle to get to and to keep it in place securely. What do you folks do with your paddle or paddles? Any cool and convenient locations or methods. Thanks.

I leave it on shore.

But in all seriousness, if the wind is so light that I feel I need to paddle I usually just use part of the mainsheet to secure the tiller to the rear crossbar so the boat will track straight. I then lie out on one of the hulls like you would on a surfboard and I hand paddle her back in. I've found it to be waaaay more comfortable than using a paddle and the boat also moves a lot faster. You'd be surprised how fast you can get it moving paddling it surfer-style.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

yes, that is what I have done too -- laid on the bow and used my hands like a surfer. There was one hot day that a bunch of biting flies found me and I went under the boat and swam it in pulling on the dolphin striker, but I remember that as being difficult. I suppose that's what a crew is for. My general policy is to be in those conditions only at the end of my day and without forewarning. I used to carry a paddle and it was in the way no matter where I put it, or it came unsecured if the wind came up.

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1989 H16
2009 H16 squaretop

I have one that telescopes and I clip it to my tramp lines with a caribeaner. The handle has a hole which I strung some ling through to a caribeaner.

It gets in the way sometimes because it's on top of the tramp. If I really wanted it out of the way, I can buy a second string and caribeaner and hang it on the bottom of the tramp. It would just be harder to get to when I need it. However, when you do need it you're not going anywhere anyways, so you can just jump off and swim under the boat for a second to get it.

I've had to paddle across the lake by hand before on my friend's nacra. Yeah you can get pretty "fast" hand paddling, but its still really annoying. If I go out in light conditions, I'd rather have the paddle with me.

I place my paddle under the foot straps towards the front of the tramp. Easy to access and I always have a line which I tie back to the foot strap incase it becomes loose.

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2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

I have an aluminum handle one that I slide under the tramp and weave it through the tramp lacing. I rarely have to use it but it is always on the boat. It is easier to paddle surfer style though.

I carry a telescoping aluminum one. I just weave it into the tramp center lacing forward or tie it under the forward part of the hiking straps. I used to surfboard paddle it until I went out unprepared for a December sail without first checking my rigging. A shroud snapped at the thimble and she dismasted about 5 or 6 miles across the bay from my launch. I was awful sore after surfboard paddling it that far! Not to mention cold. Too old for that now, so I carry a paddle- slower, but dry!

Dave

I used a plastic canoe style paddle that was pliable enough to weave in the center lacing and give with the tramp. It was never in the way and seldom used but when needed, it was available immediately.

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Howard

Trying to find the best way to store a paddle has been a struggle for me as well. On my home lake, I must paddle out of a cove then quickly store it when the wind picks up in open water. I continue to experiment with different approaches but the best solution I have found so far is to run a bungee through the center and rear lacing grommet and then just stick the paddle under the most convenient location. I prefer the rear lacing location but sometimes use the center lacing when a sudden gust provides relief that you want to milk for all it's worth. I use a collapsible paddle as well.

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Leigh Huff

I have an telescoping paddle as well. I will either weave it through the tramp lacing up front or I will pull the bungee that connects the hiking lines up through the lacing and just wrap the cord over the paddle holding it in place.

Ooooo, I like that idea about pulling up the trapeze bungee cords from the bottom!

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Leigh Huff

If you're talking about the trap shock cords, it seems that would shorten the effective length of that shock cord since it would only stretch up to the point that it was pulled up.

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

I had a telescopic as well but was still pretty long. Bungeed it through the bottom of the rear laces of the tramp. Convenient, easily accessible and out of the way.

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Happy Sailing,

David

Maybe 2". Not enough to matter. I also lake sail where I hardly ever get out on the trap.

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