There is an art to freeing a pinned boat. I cannot brag about being a class V+ kayaker but my specialty was freeing pinned boats. As far as a Z-drag and all that. I have never used a Z-drag in anything but swiftwater rescue classes although I always carry the standard pin kit you learn in SWR. My techniques are outside the box. Has anyone ever told you how to use a log as a lever? Or a log instead of a z-drag? There is almost always wood available in the southeast.