The "Most Useful" thread had a couple of guys mention the importance of Painter lines. That reminded me of a tip I once read. The tip is to put a loop in the line a couple of feet from the bow (or stern). The loop is made big enough to get a foot into to use as a step in a situation where someone falls out of a canoe in deep water. I know there are other ways to climb back in, but this might be a good option. I've tied a loop in my line a time or two. Fortunately, I've never had to use it.

Do others do this?

That's an interesting idea. I already was thinking I'm due for some tipping / re-entry practice next summer and will have to give that a try. In all but cold water one could just tie a loop in there from the water easily enough.

Lines like that are sometimes used in kayak reentry but set up to be at the center of the boat. One method is to run the line from the far side of the boat and under it to the person. Then the load on the line from pushing up helps balance the weight of the person climbing back in. Interesting idea to do it with the painter.

andym: "Lines like that are sometimes used in kayak reentry but set up to be at the center of the boat. One method is to run the line from the far side of the boat and under it to the person. Then the load on the line from pushing up helps balance the weight of the person climbing back in. Interesting idea to do it with the painter. "

I was trying to picture in my mind how such a contraption would work, and that was the only way I could see it not flipping the boat if I tried it. Others who are lighter and more agile than I could probably pull it off, but I certainly would pull the boat over before landing myself inside.

BuckFlicks: "

andym: "Lines like that are sometimes used in kayak reentry but set up to be at the center of the boat. One method is to run the line from the far side of the boat and under it to the person. Then the load on the line from pushing up helps balance the weight of the person climbing back in. Interesting idea to do it with the painter. "

I was trying to picture in my mind how such a contraption would work, and that was the only way I could see it not flipping the boat if I tried it. Others who are lighter and more agile than I could probably pull it off, but I certainly would pull the boat over before landing myself inside.


"

Interesting thought but I still don't see it, has anyone tried this? I would think that as you stand up and push down on the loop, you're foot will just go down and away under the boat because of where the line is attached, therefore nothing to "stand on." Unless it's long enough that you can push in a down and back motion, stepping up toward the boat?

fadersup: "

BuckFlicks: "

andym: "Lines like that are sometimes used in kayak reentry but set up to be at the center of the boat. One method is to run the line from the far side of the boat and under it to the person. Then the load on the line from pushing up helps balance the weight of the person climbing back in. Interesting idea to do it with the painter. "

I was trying to picture in my mind how such a contraption would work, and that was the only way I could see it not flipping the boat if I tried it. Others who are lighter and more agile than I could probably pull it off, but I certainly would pull the boat over before landing myself inside.



"

Interesting thought but I still don't see it, has anyone tried this? I would think that as you stand up and push down on the loop, you're foot will just go down and away under the boat because of where the line is attached, therefore nothing to "stand on." Unless it's long enough that you can push in a down and back motion, stepping up toward the boat? "

We did it in a rescue skills session last summer and it works. I only watched it, didn't do it. Was the easiest re-entry method of the several we went through, I don't know why it isn't the first one taught. I'm planning on working on it this year.

I think it's a great idea. I'm a larger guy and this would be the only way I could possibly get back in the canoe. I am thinking along the same lines as BuckFliks as well. Tie one end of a line to a thwart and run it under the canoe then back up the other side and just loop it under the thwart without tying it off and then adding the loop a foot or two under the waterline. It would make for an ugly video but it may work.

canoe reentry stirrup

Clever. So the idea is to place a foot in loop/stirrup and push your foot back while you push down to lift yourself. Theoretically, a forward motion of canoe has a thrust to aid you, as well. Wonder if it works as well with lightweight kevlar canoes.

Canoe stirrup video

Love it! What a simple/great idea

boonie: " canoe reentry stirrup "

Interesting product! I wonder about just taking some Amsteel and making a loop long enough to go from the grab handle to just over the bow. Then, you'd have a second loop running through that first one, and long enough to hang a foot or two under water. A setup like that would weigh next to nothing.

Yes, when I saw it I also figured it would be simple enough to take a length of the same line as painter (or whatever) and make something similar that would work; might even be able to do with the painter as you were saying. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better on the stern than the bow, given that it's usually lower, and especially if there's differential rocker with more in the bow.