: I really like using the bungies I put near the bow to hold one end of my
: paddle (similar to Greenland style deck rigging) plus other bungies near
: the stern for my spare paddle.

Thre are silicone sealants that cure to a clear, rubbery finish. These come in caulking tubes, and in squeeze tubes. Hardware and craft stores sell this stuff. In small quantities it is used as an adhesive for a paper craft known as paper tole. I think you might try running 4 parallel beads lengthwise in the scratched area. Make each bead about 1/8th inch high, and space the beads about an inch apart. Make the length of the beads about an inch longer than the longest scratches you're getting now. The height of the beads should keep the paddle just a fraction of an inch above the deck, and allow grit and sand to flush away so they don't accumulate and serve as an abrasive. If you don't like the result you can cut the majority of the cured silicone off with a razor blade, and sandpaper will clean up the rest. Since the material is clear and not applied over a very large area it should be hard to spot.

Hope this helps

PGJ