Towing Mechanism for Flag

[NJScubaDoc]

Anyone ever toy around with the idea of a retractable towline for their dive float?

I was thinking you have a retracting mechanism that only operates while you are depressing the handling device, this way if you drop it, the line will go slack and sink to the bottom (handle mechanism would be negative) as opposed to flying off to the surface. Tension on the line would be given by a good sized foat.

 

[BuoyantC]

Some of the guys I've dived with around SW Michigan used flag/floats with a retractable line. The float consisted of an inner tube with a milk crate secured in the middle (for treasures), the flag of course, and a retractable reel that looked like something for a clothesline perhaps, mounted in the crate.

These seemed to work well for the local muck dives as they were usually shallow and they would just clip the line on so their hands were free (I know.... I've heard it before, let's not go there!). The only problem I saw with this use is when it would be very windy. The reel didn't hold enough tension and would pay out all the line.

It sure seemed to beat the cheapo plastic things with line wrapped around!

Dennis

 

[426Scuba]

I wonder if you could mod out a dog leash to 130'?