: Now that I've finally gotten around to building GPs I have my old
: Euro paddle to carry on the deck as a spare. My friends with the
: store-bought boats just stick their spare paddles under some
: bungees and don't give it another thought. Surely we wooden boat
: builders care more about the finish of our decks to do that. I
: do. What have some of you done to protect your deck while
: carrying a spare paddle?

The decks and finish are not that delicate. Sliding the paddle under the deck lines should work fine. Just secure it so it doesn't slide around a lot. If you use toggles on your deck lines there will be sections where the lines are doubled. Sliding th paddle between these areas gives one layer of deck line under the paddle to keep it off the deck, and the other deck line goes over the paddle to keep it attached to your boat.

If you are not using toggles, but have crossed (x pattern) decklines, lay the paddle on the X to keep it above the deck, and bungee or tie it down to the deck lines with additional rope or bungee.

You could make a cloth carry bag for the euro paddle, too. That would cushion things.

You could make a neoprene sleeve to fit over the ends of the paddle.

If you insist, you can make a couple of paddle parks from odd sized chunks of wood. Groove out an area to fit around the shaft of the paddle, and glue the blocks to your deck. Set the paddle in the blocks and it will ride above the deck. Secure the ends with deck lines, or bungee the paddle into them.

PGJ