: 1/4 inch seems to be the preferred size. Not too large but it doesn't cut
: into your hands.

: There is an Aussie club site that addresses safety requirements for the boats
: in their organization. They require the perimeter line to be secured every
: 75 cm (about 30 inches). That seems a bit close and I can't figure out
: what a close spacing accomplishes.

Too far apart, and the rope can stretch quite aways from the kayak--enough you could get an arm or shoulder wrapped in the line.

: I put perimeter lines on my boat and
: secured it as needed. I think my greatest. distance was about 38 inches. I
: don't make the line taut -- I want to get my fingers under it easily.

A nearly-taut line with beads or sliders will accomplish the same finger-gripping ability without as much slack.

: There seems to be some difference of opinion on running the perimeter lines
: at the cockpit. The cons talk about entangling yourself when you are
: getting back into the cockpit. The pros say they have never had a problem
: and it is necessary when helping a swimmer. I am with the pros. I have
: done a lot of rescue practice and never had a problem.

This was discussed recently on the board:
http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/read/78736

I think the consensus was generally that this is a big question of the shape of the deck and shearline at the cockpit. With a narrow deck/kayak (under 21"), this doesn't leave much room for perimeter lines to run past the cockpit without fouling the sprayskirt.

Boats like the Guillemot with an extremely rounded shear will allow these lines to run lower on the side of the hull without getting in the way of attaching or releasing one's sprayskirt.

As far as helping a swimmer, I don't want them grabbing near my cockpit. That gives them too much leverage to tip me over, or for a panicky swimmer to grab my torso and give me big problems. If you have a swimmer, you want them to grab your bow or stern toggle.

If we're discussing a handhold for assisted rescues, the perimeter line at your foredeck is the best handle (assuming the normal bow-to-stern rescuer/rescuee boat orientation) for the rescuee to use to
to pull themselves across their own boat.

Shawn