I have 1/4" bungies in the normal pattern an x with bungies on ether end that you put the paddle under. It seems to work fine but I haven't tested it it real super nasty conditions. I think I am going to up grade the dia of the outside bungies for my current boat, for a little extra holding power. I try to stay away from jam cleats or any fittings that could grab me when i am crawling around on the boat. But again this is just personal prefenece I am sure you could really crank down on a paddle with that set up.

Tom

: Thanks for all your input... I will follow them all up.

: Can I persist in one more question ? I have seen various designs for a line
: behind the cockpit to retain one end of the paddle when using a float. The
: one I saw was like the letter W with a jam-cleat on each end. You insert
: the end of the paddle under the line and pull on either end to tighten.

: Does anybody have any thoughts on this ? Is there a 'recommended' pattern ? I
: had thought of using some 'hardware' to retain the paddle, i.e. a steel
: pivot. Would this be a better alternative ?.

: Again, many thanks to the friendliest forum on the Web from a far-away kayak
: builder.

: Ed