Anchor Assisted surf launches- will it work?

So I post my epic fail on an Alaska forum as I wipe out in the surf.  It might not have saved me in this case but the moderator of the forum suggested that we try the following:

"Next time try the anchor trick. You guys can set one out and with a long line each of you can pull yourselves out and over the break to smooth water while someone on the beach holds the loose end. And if there will be no one left on the beach for the last person just put a float on the loose end and retrieve when you get back. You just need the anchor out past the shore break. Can time it and wade out to pitch it. Especially on an incoming tide. It will be way out there in no time. Works great for beached boats too. Learned that from experience up at Point Possession in 1972 with my plywood cabin cruiser."

So what do you think? Useful? Yes or no?  Here on this beach, the surf breaks right at the beach most of the time.

For the situation you were in I'd say that it wouldn't of worked. I'd be worried about if you get flipped while doing that if it wouldn't wrap around your body or neck or worse your fishing pole and break it

I think pulling on a rope from the center of a kayak (where you are seated) will just provide another pivot point for your kayak to spin around on and broach.  Or worse, you'll be left holding the rope while your kayak gets washed away from you.

Now, if you had run it through a carabiner attached to your bow, maybe it keeps you aligned, but the whole thing just sounds too complicated to me.  And like Matt alludes too, too much rope to metaphorically hang yourself with.

If the waves are bad enough that you think you need to resort to something like this, perhaps you should rethink whether you should be gong out in them in the first place.

-Allen

If the waves are bad enough that you think you need to resort to something like this, perhaps you should rethink whether you should be gong out in them in the first place.

My thoughts exactly.  Shore breaks are all about timing.  There is a lot of power condensed into those types of waves so when things go south, they are much less forgiving.

If the waves are bad enough that you think you need to resort to something like this, perhaps you should rethink whether you should be gong out in them in the first place.

My thoughts exactly.  Shore breaks are all about timing.  There is a lot of power condensed into those types of waves so when things go south, they are much less forgiving.

Yeah, I was envisioning holding on to the rope and the kayak dropping out from under me. I was thinking maybe if you had thigh straps. But that's too much crap. Actually I think you'd flip it as it pulled you down and your kayak went up. You'd have to carbine it off the bottom of your yak. Lol.

The surf breaks right at shore here. It wouldn't have been fun but had you got past the first break, it was a lot better.

Always fun to think and talk about potential ideas though many of mine only make it through the discussion phase.




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Always fun to think and talk about potential ideas though many of mine only make it through the discussion phase.

They also implant many humorous images in my mind!   

-Allen

wait so was the problem going out or coming in?  sounds like going out.  which would not bode well for the return trip NOT SAYING I HAVEN'T TRIED IT

I've seen one guy rope the other guy in and out in big surf and it works both ways. I guess for salmon it would work, but for bottom fish to big of swells make for a long day.

Shore breaks aren't too bad on the return trip.   Don't let the wave get behind you and they'll drop you down on the beach.  Just be sure to get off quickly before the retreating wave sucks you back out.



 

I think it's a bad idea, but I would LOVE to watch it on video!

Always fun to think and talk about potential ideas though many of mine only make it through the discussion phase.

They also implant many humorous images in my mind!   

-Allen

What?  You can't see me pulling myself out by rope in  big surf with my two yaks bolted together deploying a personal use herring gill net???

Hmmm... I guess being strung up in 20 ft of gill net suspended in the air by a rope watching two outbacks tumble in the waves with an outboard would be humorous to watch...if it wasn't me! Lol.

And the problem was the landing.  I figured the break was close enough to shore that wiping out onto the shore was an acceptable risk.  It really was the first break and it was directly on the shoreline as it broke. 


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Don't forget your waders and fleece jacket?

Oops. Problem was the launch.

Landing would just be a semi controlled yard sale with focus on not getting hurt.

Waders?  Nah. Just the fleece and some flip flops. Do it in style!!!!


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Oops. Problem was the launch.

Landing would just be a semi controlled yard sale with focus on not getting hurt.

Waders?  Nah. Just the fleece and some flip flops. Do it in style!!!!


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There is a technique for landings in which you use a drogue or sea anchor.  It slows you down and keeps you straight.  I've never tried it.  YMMV.

-Allen

There is a technique for landings in which you use a drogue or sea anchor.  It slows you down and keeps you straight.  I've never tried it.  YMMV.

-Allen

I've tried this with a human drogue when dragging my buddy back to the beach.  It was by far, my easiest return thru surf ever.  My buddy.... well he wasn't nearly as impressed as me.  He was getting flushed every time a wave would catch me. 

-Spot-