I would agree that you need a good solid line around the perimeter of the kayak for grabbing on to, and for rigging up paddle floats. There needs to also be a solid line across the rear deck near the cockpit for towing. (Mine actually did come in handy for a rescue.) There needs to be plenty of shock cord on front and rear deck. On mine I actually test-fitted my GP and storm paddle to determine the best placement so that the paddle laid where I wanted it. The line should have something like a blood knot or a ball on it so that you can roll the paddle up under the line.

Here's a pic of my setup. All apologies because I've posted this a few times before for various things. Notice that on my tow rig I braided two interlocking loops. This ensures that there is always one loop sticking up for quickly clipping in a rescue line. That came in handy already while towing a kayaker out of the surf. The knots are a version of a blood knot, and along with securing the bungee cord, they also allow the paddle to slip up under the cord.

The deck fittings are Kajak Sport. I give them high praises. They've survived the torture test. There is also a zig-zag of cord on the front deck. Darn, I don't have a good shot of it, but it consists of three Kajak Sport fittings on either side with a line that zig-zags through them, and also cuts across the middle, giving me plenty of tie-down capability. I intentionally let the rescue line drop down into the recess so that I could easily slip a paddle up under it.

Hope this helps,

Malcolm