: That's really the issue--I have running decklines that allow me to grab the
: boat at all points from stem to stern, but other folks aren't used to the
: same system. It works for me, and has never been a liability, personally,
: but I now realize that I need to also add "what works for other
: people", since I am now responsible for more than simply my own
: safety.

: I've decided that I really must add the decklines. I don't think they'll look
: as good as a clean deck, but it's a choice I had to make.

: Shawn

hi shawn,

i think i remember that your yak has a decorative strip w/ inset diamonds every few inches or so. (i think it curved up at the cockpit- but so what? - follow that line)

but what would happen if every 12 or 16 inches or so, you removed one of those diamonds and underset a dark pc say hull thickness and a bit, and put in either a tight web loop or padeye fitting. then you have semi integrated recessed fittings and the diamond is pointing in the right direction.like do deck lines always have to follow the perimeter shear like every one elses?? just say no!- you only have to reach another few inches and they're integrated.

personally, then i would silicone in a diamond cover of all the extra little diamonds you have laying around, and then just snap them in or off when you convert to putting lines in for show non show purposes. a thought that may work

or say to heck with it and leave the lines in, but put in a few more than usueal fittings so the deck lines really follow your pattern better.

another stupid idea, is what if decorative shear lines were slightly raised like a bump strip(just the idea, i'm not suggesting it) with a cool intertwined line pattern snaking thru it. But the line pattern was actually the line just inset a bit like in a cove. Think of the thin outlines that joe uses for some of his yaks change in color interfaces, maybe, w/ finger holds like flush hatch finger grabbers say every 12 in or so.

or maybe in your particular case the two thin outside lines of your dec strip diamonds was inset lines, first one glassed in, outside line just snapped in place.

snap in for decoration, leave out for the action, or use the finger grabs for instant action.

-mick