: Hi,

: I have looked at deck fittings and seen some nice ideas for "flush"
: ones. BUT I don't have any experience and want to check my ideas out with
: you guys!!! For the deck lines it seems that they are best
: "positioned" *" or *" above the deck and
: "flush" fittings do not do this. They leave the lines
: "down" at the deck. Then there are the deck fittings for bungies
: to hold "things" that I "may" want to strap to my
: deck. And there are the deck fittings to hold down the hatches. But I am
: going to make flush hatches with rare earth magnets to hold them (and I
: have heard others have found these to hold so well that it is hard to pull
: up the hatches). Anyway the "flush" fittings I have seen ALL
: don't drain, they will always be little "pockets" to hold a
: little water. And if I put all the fittings that most recommend it seems
: like my deck will be like polka dotted with almost 20 holes all over. So I
: am thinking of not putting them in at all. I don't plan on strapping stuff
: to my deck. I think I can make hatches that will not need to have extra
: hold-downs. And I don't think I "need" deck lines (safety yes,
: but more than I need). So I would like to know if "skipping" the
: deck fittings all together is "wrong". I think the deck will
: look so much "cleaner" with out them.
: I'd appreciate hearing what I am really missing with out these deck fittings.

: Thanks,
: Joe

Native boat deck lines come through holes in the skin just below the sheer line
on the hull.

On my last couple kayaks I've set up my deck shock cord and paddle hold downs
in a similar pattern. I've drilled holes the same diameter as my shock cord just
below the sheer line and tied knots in the shock cord inside the hull.

I like it! Very clean look. No hardware. Simple to do. I've had not water leakage
through the holes. I'd planned to pull the shock cord ends in from the inside and
put a dab of silicone sealant on the cord to keep water out but it's not been a problem.

All the best,
Rob