Some people don't like deck lines or toggles knocking. This doesn't make them unsafe. It is the choices the paddler makes on the water that determine safety, not equipment. Kayaking is not "safe", while it is good to be prepared for rare circumstances, we don't need to make all our decisions based on situations that may be avoided with a bit of judgement.

I understand; I know that folks think I'm being tiresome about making sure kayaks have good end toggles and perimeter lines. But I find these discussions perplexing. I paddle less than most of the folks in my group - less than 100 days/year - but with all of us, good toggles and especially perimeter lines are a complete 'no brainer'. Here, in our little community of builders (and designers!) it is completely the opposite.

A few points to counter to the long list of 'why you don't need good toggles or deck lines' ......
Toggles don't rattle or knock against the hull when paddling.
No competent instructor in my area will allow you in a class or clinic unless your boat has deck lines.
This includes participating in multi-day kayak 'adventure tours' and paddle symposia.
How will you feel when you are 'left on the beach' or forced to rent a plastic boat when you show up for that long-anticipated 'paddle experience'?
Not all builders are expert paddlers.
Good judgement can't protect you from the bad judgement of others; do you plan to abandon those people or try to rescue them?
Weather conditions can change quickly, contrary to the forecasts sometimes. Judgement can't always prevent getting caught.
We don't all paddle our own boats; some are made for others to use. How will you feel when the coroner's report indicates that 'lack of standard safety rigging' on one of your kayaks contributed to death of somebody? I don't have grandkids, but I do see builders here making boats for their family members.
Those deck lines and toggles aren't for you, paddling your boat - they are for the swimmer you are trying to rescue. This will probably be a person who doesn't share your good judgement and skill. It could even be a non-kayaker - a SUP paddler, a person who has fallen out of their dinghy, a swimmer who is too far from shore, etc...

Are we building kayaks to be used, or 'objets d'art'?

I don't get it at all. Do perimeter lines offend some folks esthetic sense, or is it just 'too much trouble'?

If 80% of the 'homemade kayak' pictures on the internet didn't lack perimeter lines, perhaps our boats would have better reputations in the community of skilled paddlers.