: I know that most people end up using the standard "X" in a box
: arrangement of bungie cord for holding the paddle perpendicular to the
: kayak. I was wondering what other designs are out there.

: One problem seems to be yanking the paddle out after re-entry and
: re-attaching the spray skirt. In rough conditions, this can be hard to do.
: Has anyone come up with a quick-release set up for just lifting the paddle
: off the rear deck---instead of trying to pull it out sideways? Other
: ideas?

seaward and nimbus use webbing instead of flex bungee for a tight fit and uses little fabric sleeves over the fastex buckles squeeze area that you simple pull on for a quick release.

joe greenley showed a clip not too long ago that you pull the loop lines over the top of the blade (or loom?), fairly easy release but it was flex bungee.

there's a pair of fittings you can buy that accept the loom only and have velcro strap over - pull off both to release.

instead of one of the typical fittings you could have one jam cleat for the line release on either or one side if continuous line. lots of scope for playing around here

consider carefully the the X layout to see there is some line topping and bottoming the X along the shear to retain the paddle.