DIY Paddle Leash

Im sure you guys have seen these weed eater cords made into paddle leashes. I made a paddle leash and two rod leashes. Has anyone had any experience on them not working out as great as they thought. I had all the stuff laying around in the garage so for me it was super cheap. Appreciat the feed back.

Does anyone use a leash from the kayak to the person. Just in case you fall out and your kayak doesn't get to far away from you?

Your leashes look good! I use a paddle leash, and I leash my poles on launch and landings. I would avoid leashing yourself to the boat on purpose. Anytime you ad lines to your boat there is the risk of getting ropes tied around your neck. I had a close call a year ago with my paddle leash in big surf. I was coming in and I got bucked off behind the wave. My kayak continued being pushed by the wave and somehow in the dismount I managed to get the paddle leash around my neck and was dragged for some time. My knife was in my hand but it stopped tugging before I had to cut it. Even if you don't do surf stuff I think the same could easily happen in any current. But I'm no expert. Just my opinion.

Does anyone use a leash from the kayak to the person. Just in case you fall out and your kayak doesn't get to far away from you?

I leash the paddle to the kayak and don't let go of the paddle.  The fewer lines/leashes you have the fewer tangles to deal with when trying to reboard.

Perfect thanks guys

here is a twist on the home made leashes

Super video!

Wow that was way better and looked much easier. No joke your hand hurts when you wrap it by hand and its not as tight of a coil. I still and pleased with mine but I may make some new ones in the future.

Used the same idea but went with brass tube instead of the wood dowel. I'm please how they work, but made them way to long. Mine are about 5" closed but stretch out to about 5'.
Also used small tube to put over the loop to add abrasion resistance. The next ones I'll make them on the item I'm going to tether. Less chance of a connector coming off.
Wrote up the How-To on NoYaks http://www.noyaks.com/tethers.html

The drill wrap in the video is a great idea, think I'll change my How-To 

Those look so much nicer than my piece of 550 paracord tied to the rod and clipped to a scuba gear retractor...   

I still like my little retractable dog leash still works after a year of use.