Leg leash or paddle leash

mrcharly wrote:

I think our esteemed administrator uses bungee cord for a paddle leash.
I'll do a break/load test on the shock cord I have and report back. If it is disappointingly low, I can thread it through some tubular webbing.

Finally got around to testing this.

Tried two lengths, they both broke at approx 75kg.

While that might not sound very high, remember that there will never be any shock loading (since it is elastic cord), and I think that 75kg would pull most footbars or footplates out of a ski.

To put it another way, it was very far from my bodyweight, so the load would be sufficient to pull a lot of people clear out of the water.

www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-d...hardware-for-sailors

www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-d...t-looks-at-long-life

LaPerouseBay wrote:

www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-d...hardware-for-sailors
www.practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-d...t-looks-at-long-life

I find that a figure 8 knot, cinched down, works well with shock cord.

mrcharly wrote:

I find that a figure 8 knot, cinched down, works well with shock cord.[/quote]

I would never trust a bungee cord as a boat leash. YMMV.

I need a waist leash, because it's more forgiving than a calf leash.

I don't have the option of clipping out before landing. To to so is to risk the safety of others. Trying to clean up the remains of a smashed ski on the rocks sounds pretty horrible too.

I like my waist leash. Peace of mind is priceless. Paddle leash is nice too. I haven't had to use it yet. I'll be glad I have it when I need it.

I understand your hesitancy to trust shock cord alone.

It would be useful to know the breaking strain of commercial leashes.

One major brand has this disclaimer:

IT IS NOT DESIGNED to be load or force bearing and will snap under load or force.

That is really not confidence inspiring.

It is striking that there is no regulation, no standards, for leashes. An important piece of safety equipment, that we trust, and it could well have the strength of a frayed piece of wool!