> I've seen both cords and nets used for the foredeck rigging.
> Which do you prefer and why?

This is really dictated more by the personal choice and habits of the paddler. If you shop around, netting is not very expensive, and cords are downright cheap. It is best to get your gear IN the kayak, and not keep it all on the deck. The higher load would affect the center of gravity and all that. Your gear may also stay drier inside. Consider what you personally need to have lashed to the hull and then use the best method to lash it there. If you have a spare paddle, how are you going to secure it? Bungee cords should work pretty well for this. If you have maps, a GPS receiver, camera bag, thermos of coffee, extra gloves, and other gear you want to keep real handy, you may just put it in a clear drybag and stuff the thing under a net, right in front of you, so you can read the GPS and the map.

No reason you can't use nets, bungees, clothesline, and carabiners all at the same time to keep your gear neatly in place on deck.

By the way, when I travel over open water in my canoe I don't have the advantage of a closed cargo area, like a kayak has. I keep everything that might fall out secured with a lightweight braided nylon or polyethylene cord, roughly 6 feet long, which is held to the boat with a carabiner. In the event of a spill I can ditch the gear if necessary to right the boat. Once I'm back aboard and the boat is bailed I can pull the gear back aboard. The ropes keep it from floating across the lake. Theoretically, if I get tangled in the ropes I can disconnect them with the carabiner. In practice I have never had to actually do this. The carabiners have been good for rapidly disconnecting the gear from the boat at portages.

There are undoubtedly other ways to secure things to the deck: magnets, special brackets with thumbscrews, rubber bands, and old bicycle innertubes come to mind. And then there is always duct tape.

Hope this helps

Paul Jacobson