How to leash up in a double.

I’m getting back into paddling after a two year hiatus do to caregiving responsibility’s.  Im paddling with a friend in a double V8 now.  We have been paddling in flat water and surfing boat wakes but are heading out for our, actually her first downwind next weekend I hope. I’m curious on leashing up on a double. Are there any philosophy’s on if both need to be leashed?  just the rear?  Just the front?  Any tips on double leashing? 

Bill

I leash both paddlers. I dont see a downside to it and it reinforces good habits. 

Hi Zach, I take your point about consistency.  I was thinking about ski orientation when in the water. If leashed to the aft handle it would drift pointing downwind and be easer to choose your side to mount on.  Or, if the front paddler leashed it would point up wind.   If both paddlers were leashed and ended up In the water on each side of the ski it would be hard for one to get to the  up wind side of the ski .  I’m just thinking out loud really.    When I had a V10 double we only had the aft “stoker” leashed. But we never swam so I can’t really comment on things. 

Definitely at least one. 

I used to just leash the aft paddler, but in gnarly conditions, if stuff goes bad, there can be a swim involved, and the aft paddler has no steering.

I now leash both. Agree with ZH, I don't see a downside to it - would be pretty hard for front/back paddlers to fall out different sides of the boat, as usually with a capsize, the boat tips only to one side, not both - so should be quite a feat to have the leashes wrapped opposite ways.

If you do only use one leash; that leash would need to be very strong.

Good points all.  I haven’t thought about the ski surfing away without the helmsmen.  I make my own leashes that are orders of magnitude stronger than any commercial variety’s available so I’m not worried about strength.  I was more thinking out loud and looking for then braintrusts thoughts.  I will leash up the rear paddler with my runner system and set mine up so I can unclip and from the water and change sides of the ski of needed. The rear paddler can do that without unclipping.. . .