Just returned from a weekend of paddling with a new paddle mount added to my Guillemot, and it works GREAT! For some time I've been thinking of possible ways to park a paddle on the boat while I enter and exit the kayak, fish, or take a break. Kurt "Pair O' Mill Creeks" Maurer posted a picture of his mount last week that looked so good I built a simple variant.

My mount was build by drilling two holes approximately 10" apart through the side of deck near the cockpit, sealing the holes, and stringing shock cord through them. Each end of the shock cord has a simple overhand knot. To make the threading process easier, I super-glued an end of the shock cord when stretched so it would thread through snug holes to minimize water leaking into the cockpit. A hook was epoxied approximately 2" above the shock cord, halfway between the the holes.

A paddle can be attached in seconds with one hand. No more stuffing it in the cockpit, shoving a blade under the deck rigging, or leaving on the ground or floating. Kurt, thanks. Works wonderfully.

John C
Dallas, Texas