: . . . I would like to get the deck rigging on and paddle for a few weeks, but I
: don't really want to take it all back off to varnish the deck later.

Sorry old chap, but I'd suggest you do exactly what you don't want to do.

Use the boat a while now and varnish it in a few weeks. If this means putting the gear on and then taking it off, well ...

is there any way you could prop the deck fittings out of the way while you varnish and NOT have to remove them?

Just my thoughts

PGJ