: Good point...except in a rescue situation, the rescuee is usually reaching
: across to the far decklines, so they can grab the outside of your coaming.

: In a rescue where the rescuee is still in the water, I don't like to have
: them that close to mee--too easy for a panicky person to capsize you. Up
: at the little, pointy bow, they can impart much less rotational force on
: you!!

: Have you tried parallel ones? They work even better!! I don't like how
: diagonal bungies tend to make things slide sideways and make thigns rotate
: under them.

: I'm actually thinking the "stainless steel rod in a cup" recessed
: fitting, or "drill two holes and slip in a rubber tube and glass
: around it and then pull the tube out" fittings.

: I think they would work just fine. They lie flat against the deck, but would
: allow "knuckle room" when you grab a perimeter line.

: Shawn

Deck lines are a stylistic choice, popularized by the British boaters. They become another "feature" to add to your boat.

I don't use them on my boats. I think they sound good when you're sitting home digesting dinner, but in real conditions they could as easily snag on your PFD as you try to climb on your deck.

Any of you really needed to grab your boat in REALLY rough conditions?

You're going to grab the cockpit or wrap your arms around the boat before your start plucking with your fingertips for a little piece of line, flat on a deck, god forbid you should have cold numb hands.

Whitewater boats and native kayaks never had deck lines. Think they know something?

So put them on if you feel the need, but those of you out there wondering about deck lines should know they are not the safety consensus.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com