: I really like the way they look and that's why I bought them. I don't really
: see the distinction on why they would work "OK" on a fiberglass
: boat and not on a stripper. My Romany's deck isn't that thick and is mat,
: probably 2 or 4 ounce with a reinforcement around each Valley fitting. A
: stripper with a 1/4" or more of wood plus several layers of glass
: should be much stronger than the mat deck on my Romany. Especially using
: one of the recesses shown above with glass on the back.

: Care to educate me on exactly why you think Valley fittings would work
: "OK" in a glass boat and not in a stripper?

: Yep, it happens sometimes. But I've never been out with a friend and have it
: happen. In the summer, I guide two trips a day and this last summer, I
: guided around 500+ people and only saw a few times where boats were lifted
: and carried by the deck lines and not by the handles. In real life, people
: are smart enough to see the handles, especially if you give them a quick
: talk about picking up and carrying the kayaks. The times that the boats
: were carried by the deck lines didn't really concern me, because they were
: outfitted with Valley Fittings or something similar. We had no problems
: with our glass boats and Valley Fittings or our plastic boats and Valley
: fittings. They're plenty strong.

Bryan,

If your fittings look like my NDK fittings (mine is an old boat so might not be the same) they should work fine I'd think. Only problem is they are a bitch to get multiple lines thru, tiny little opening.

For some reason an hour or so ago, esp?, I was thinking of this same thread and have an idea that needs a little more work, but might make adding recessed fittings on a stripper pretty easy and nearly free. Once I get a chance to work on this I'll post it here.

Bill H.