: Hello Everyone,

: My question is pretty simple, I think, but I'd like to give you a
: little background...

: I am brand new to sea kayak construction/modification and would
: like to ask for your advice. I recently bought a used Cirrus LT,
: a stitch and glue plywood kayak made from a kit by
: OneOceanKayaks:
:
: http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/stitchglue/stitchkayaks.htm#cirLTanch

: I brought it to the manufacturer/designer/owner of OneOceanKayaks
: (Vaclav Stejskal) for a consultation. He was extremely helpful
: and advised me on how to make a few adjustments/minor repairs. I
: have some woodworking experience (made a couple guitars and
: restored a few) so I maybe know enough to keep myself out of
: trouble, sometimes.

: I've been sea kayaking for a number of years and have taken
: classes/courses and know I need to be able to rescue my own self
: after a wet exit. The person who built this kayak did not
: install any bungees (nor decklines) right behind the cockpit
: necessary for a self rescue (I use the paddle float technique).
: I'm going to install them myself but I don't know what material
: would be best to use for the cord: what diameter bungee cord? Or
: some other type of cord? Are there different bungee cord
: tensions? Do you know where I could purchase the cord in the New
: England area or East coast?

: Thank you very much!
: Vivian

You should try the rodeo rescue, no need to inflate a float... Just scramble onto the aft deck, and slide up into the seat... :) I have to agree with others about not tying down the paddle behind you, it is pretty easy to just keep it against the rear edge of the coaming, and much easier to get it back into your hands once back in the boat.

Others have already mentioned good sources for bungee cord, so I can't help you there. However, if you search this forum a little, you will find all kinds of great ways to add the cord to the decks, from various styles of flush fittings to ways of tying the ends of the cord neatly.

StephenHJ