: I'm adding deck lines to my Ganymede (Guillemot S&G) using tube
: fittings. Once the lines are secure I plan to use D-rings and
: pad eyes for some shock cord on the back deck. But my issue is
: finding a way to connect the lines to the boat. So far, I plan
: to use a short loop at each end to attach to the boat with a
: Lark's Head knot. I've tried figure eight knots (and I've read
: about Ashley's stopper knot) to fix the ends in the tubes near
: the cockpit, but they are difficult to tie with enough tension
: on the line. I've considered doubling the ends across the deck
: near the cockpit and spiral hitching them together, but I'm
: confident I will encounter the same low-tension issue. It seems
: like this would be a common problem, but I'm not seeing any
: posts regarding this problem. I like the idea of using toggles
: to add tension, but that doesn't solve my problem of tying the
: ends of the lines. Can you make a suggestion?

My lines run from through the hull (knotted on underside near my knees in the cockpit) through my soft pad eyes. Near the hole in the hull and near each pad eye I did two overhand knots to raise the lines off the hull a bit (you could do any kind of fancy knot if you are so inclined, I am not). The lines go from cockpit to bow/stern and back to cockpit (actually stern lines don't go back to cockpit). On the return end it goes back into the hull and I stretch it and tie an overhand knot and it's done. The holes for the lines through the hull should be really tight, then you won't have any leakage.

Sod