Sorry for the double submission there but it didn't show up as being posted and I was damned if I was goin to type it all over so I backed up and reposted and then there were two!!

Anyway

Variations:

If the figurehead in groove approach doesn't appeal to you, raise the grab slightly so that it is like a drawer pull - but fair and shape it into your kayak lines. You could also modify it to look like a pair of brass knucks or anywhere in between - a figurehead w/ gaps for fingers.

Another fine resting location for the grab is on top of the bow. Get a microphone holder and cut off the stand attachment. Screw (glue) it on and insert the grab so you can pull it out the front when you're swimming in the chuck! Or use a real waterproof mike w/ cord attached to your personal amp, and when you go swimming, you can really call for help!

Or put a dovetail groove in the top strips and just slide the grab in. Waves won't wash it out - but don't go backwards! - well, use a good friction fit.

Or if this all seems like too much work, and you've already made your grabs - just glue a strip of velcro down the grab and some good location on the yak - prob would work ok!

Or build an acute triangular grab (like a D handle), put the pointiest end toward the front ( this is the end for the rope ), and inset or fair into the bow slightly. Fits the contours, stops the flop and looks good too!!

I'll be using a variation of this on Surfyak. In each tightly bonded(!) sacrificial end piece a 'pull handle' will be inset w/ about 12" of rolled up we bbiing. A couple of lips will be put around so it sorta 'snaps' in place. I think it'll probably work except the first time I'll probably pull the whole ends off with the grabs loops.

And little old surfyak floats off slowly into the sunset leaving only a scrap of webbing to remind me of her (sob!)(heave!).