: With the toggles at the centerline, there's a bit
: of slack, enough to lift the toggles off the deck.

Mike here indirectly makes another revelation about toggles. In my, albeit limited, experience, that bit of slack is usually just enough to get a paddle blade under, or a chart, or something slim, but good luck trying to fit a pump or solid paddlefloat or anything bulky under decklines rigged with toggles!

Of course, you could make your lines looser, but the toggle system just doesn't have a large range of adjustability. It does work great within that range, though.

But, here's the dirty little secret about my last SOF kayak: I cheated.

I wanted the traditional look of toggles, but also wanted more usable deck stowage. So, I kept the toggles, but switched the solid poly decklines with near identical bungee cord.
Voila! No one can tell the diff, but I can stick my pump under the decklines now. And, with the toggles, I can still snug down the bungees if I need the lines even tighter.
I retained solid line for the rear deck lines, though, because I only need to get a paddle blade under them, for paddlefloat rescues. The toggle system here is ideal, as it will really clamp the paddle down tight. I use a GP.

Anyway, that has all been a good compromise for me, and might be for you if you want the look of toggles and the versatility of bungees.

Of course, many paddlers swear by the toggle system, and it has seemed to work for a few thousand years, so . . . .

It is hard, but I'm resisting the urge to post yet another pic of my Sea Rider SOF. Try the search function if you want to see the toggle system on it!