The Bowline/Deck rope/Leash

 During the lost years, I found a lot of value in having a "bowline" on my SIK.
I swam a lot. Having a deck rope allowed a quick grab to either help drag me out of a situation and/or preventing my boat from being taken downstream without me. Boat separation sucks.



When playing in the zone, I have had far too many moments where I am bobbing about between waves while my boat is long swept away and on the beach. I was giving my all to break through the surf already, and now I'm swimming with the next wave starting to gather itself. I feel so small right before the thundering white pushes me deep, again.
Won't go without a shock cord leash on the paddle.
Time on rafts instilled "If you don't have your paddle, you don't get back in the boat". Those instincts help when you are getting maytaged but still need to be paddle in hand. The leashed boat will help drag me in, or help me get back on and at the ready.



 The bowline advantages can transfer into the kayak fishing realm. I find security in having the workspace end at easy access. If conditions turn to that mixed swell, wind chop, and rain kind of nasty, I can reach down and leash myself to the boat. That added security helps me focus on other tasks.
Boat separation sucks.


The Disco        bowline        nuff said



It is the river where I believe the umbilical qualities become most advantageous.
Sometimes its smart to dismount and fish a section more thoroughly. Its so nice to be able to carabiner the bowline to my PFD or belt loop, and let it drift while I walk or swim.

Fishing a river on a SUP turned the bowline into a functional rod leash. It was the only way that I could manage to come home with that rod.



The bowline might be useful if your friends need some help. The bow presented to the swimmer, granting access to the carabiner to attach to their PFD, and then I can attach the work space end to mine.
It could be a helpful/quick tow because boat separation sucks.

Its easy to notice that dragging a boat by the bowline will help to displace abrasive damage.
The contact weight isn't as focused on a point or keel and spread out along the hull.
There are a few other minor uses that I appreciate, like it being a great paddle keeper, but there are also some complications that can occur with having tentacle like boat clutter.
A Maytag event might try to tangle you up. Composure is critical.
And probably the most common frustration being the "hook magnet" factor.

Here is a recipe for a barbed hook disaster. There is a humble drop on the other end of that culvert that could make this a bungled mess.
Not smart.


From a purely recreational perspective, the bowline clipped to a PFD, while you and your significant other swim and float along. Very enjoyable drifts.

While I don't always use the bowline, I clearly am a fan.
Curious if anyone else is.

definitely in the top list for safety gear

will get you through big surf and is your lifeline if you get caught out in bad conditions

It all depends on what I'll be doing.
Surf launch and landing~bowline.
Anchoring to dive~bowline.
Easy launch and fishing all day. No bowline.
Clipping on to the Islander while I have lunch~bowline. 

I have bow lines on all our yaks and they are always ON. I have towed on 2 occasions. Mine are made out of braided para-cord, so if I had to ditch somewhere I would have plenty of cordage.

I've got them on my yaks.

My paddle is leashed, but to the left side of my yak.  I also always have a Scotty Throw Bag ready to be tossed.  And if the conditions are iffy, I sometimes carry a Bowline for my X-Factor.  The scotty bag has a floating puck in it, so I should be able to grab it if I flip over.  But I never let go of the paddle, which hopefully will still be tethered to the yak during a roll. 

 Bowline for my security and a throw rope for friends.  I keep the brightly colored throw rope easily accessible, right behind my seat.
I keep it in the same place each trip. When things start happening quickly, standardization saves lives.




Just like practicing "self rescue" I believe its smart to practice throwing the rescue rope so that you will know your effective range when friends need your help.

Its great to hear from some of the bowline proponents but I was also hoping that those who do not find value or believe that it is "not worth the negatives", might share their views. I did notice that a few had checked that option.

The way a lot of kayaks are set up w a lot of gear sticking up a loose line could actually make things worse in a real situation

Its great to hear from some of the bowline proponents but I was also hoping that those who do not find value or believe that it is "not worth the negatives", might share their views. I did notice that a few had checked that option.

Sorry to let ya down Terry, but I use a bowline pretty frequently too. Almost always in the ocean. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks, for me.

Not letting me down at all PK. Im glad that you use such a simple tool to help make sure that you make it home to your family.  But I am still interested in the counter point of the non-believers. I could learn something.  I don't see many bowlines in photos so I don't believe that it is widely practiced.
I could be wrong.

I was thinking the way a lot of kayaks are set up w a lot of gear sticking up a loose line could actually make things worse in a real situation

That is definitely a factor BlueK. When I am heading out, or heading in, I remove the GoPro, sonar, and rod holder from the work space. Remove the reels from the rods and stow it all in the dry bag. Then I stow the rods in the hull for a clean, snag free, boat that is ready for a tumble.

Recipe for zero garage sales and almost zero disasters includes a line to nose of your yak and clean-as-a-whistle topsides

Those are more like healthy ingredients than a full recipe. Because there is no way to guarantee zero garage sales...it's inevitable. Unless you completely avoid the surf. But I totally see your point, Blue.

Yeah, I don't really see how a bowline helps you land. 

I believe he's refering to the landing technique where you dismount outside the surf and swim your yak to shore, while holding onto the bowline. I haven't tried it but know a few people who've used it successfully...jmairey turned me onto it years ago.

A bowline helps me land when I have a buddy, or innocent bystander, already on the beach and ready to grab it as soon as possible. All I need is for the nose to stay perpendicular to the beach and I'm good, no wipeout. The person doesn't need to pull me up onto the beach, just keep it taught and it keeps me steered straight. If the wave I rode in on leaves me high and dry we just wait for the next wave to push me up a little further. I do this until I can safely get out of the boat.
The bow handle is too short, and the bowline that I use is only 3 to 5 feet long. It's long enough to do the job.