: Shawn,

: Thanks for your feedback and words of wisdom concerning the diagonal lines an
: storing the paddle. The criss-cross lines look good and are used by many
: but thanks for enlightening me about their shortcomings. I was planning on
: some grab lines at each end of the boat. Why does Mariner call them
: painter lines and why what's the purpose of the cleat? Why not just
: another undersize hole?

: I was thinking of doing the undersize holes for deck fittings but they sound
: like they'd be a pain to remove and replace when doing periodic
: revarnishing.

: Thanks again,

: Gary B.

Gary B.

More info is provided at Mariner Kayaks website http://marinerkayaks.com/ (Click > Manuals > Owners) has a pretty thorough description of the deck rigging on the Mariner Kayaks. Cam and Matt Broze of Mariner Kayaks are pretty exhaustive in describing what they have designed to be a versatile layout, (though I've found out much more by using it).

I agree with Shawn "the Mariner layout is excellent". To answer your questions. The lines leading to the bow/stern toggles from their fore/aft cleats/cleat, also serve as painters. I had them build my boat with the norm of two recessed cleat fore of the cockpit and no cleat aft. Stern painter goes past cockpit to attach to bow painter between the cleats or to one of the cleats there (fore of the cockpit). I respectfully suggest that the uses for a cleat or two on a boat, are unending.

Best regards David Rice