One advantage I saw right away is that if the rope secures the paddle well, might not need to bring a spare paddle when paddling out to sea.

SAVE YOUR BACK PADDLING !!!
: tie a rope from the bow to the center of your paddle!!
: This way you dont have to twist your lower back paddling..... you
: just use a rowing motion !!! :)

: I gave up on my kayak building for now and bought a used kayak for
: fishing this summer.....

: see http://intlmerch.tripod.com/id7.html for pictures of:

: 1880's canoe /kayak sail rig. You erect a 5ft mast, then attach the
: sail to a 9 or 10ft spar . The spar has a ring in the middle
: that you hook over the top of the mast, then tie the spar to the
: bottom of the mast. You use your paddle for a leaboard. ((like a
: centerboard)). Sailing across the wind, moving the paddle
: forward of the sails center of effort causes the bow to turn
: upwind. moving the paddle aft causes the bow to turn downwind.

: Note my comfy wooden seat and how I can attach a trolling motor and
: skull instead of paddling.....and the dolly I made.