: 1. What is a good source for both the webbing and the bungee/shock cord?

Nylon webbing can be found at all kinds of places from WalMart to your local yuppie outdoor store. I liked some straps that were made, I believe, for strapping ThermARest pads to your backpack. They were thinner that the usual cargo/utility straps.

Bungee can also be found at most shops that sell kayaks. Or check the link below for Great River Outfitters, a kayak store here in Michigan. I prefer the thinner 3/16" bungee to the standard 1/4", but the 3/16" is tough to find in stores.

: 3. What is a good method of punching clean holes into the three layers of
: webbing? I plan to use machine screws, washers and locknuts instead of
: wood screws. I fear the wood screws will puncture anything I intend to
: keep waterproof in my fore/aft compartments. Thank you, Ricci

I used the soldering-iron method -- and I didn't inhale, really! I drilled holes in the deck and sealed them with clear nail polish (boy, did I feel like an idiot in the cosmetics section of the local Target store) for expediency's sake. I put a dab of silicone on the screw threads and in the holes, and secured them with stainless nylock nuts on flat washers. I was careful not to tighten them too much and shear too much of the inner cloth. The stainless hardware can be found at West Marine, if you have one in your area, or at the hardware store where all the old-timers go...

Dean