: Can I persist in one more question ? I have seen various designs for a line
: behind the cockpit to retain one end of the paddle when using a float. The
: one I saw was like the letter W with a jam-cleat on each end. You insert
: the end of the paddle under the line and pull on either end to tighten.

: Does anybody have any thoughts on this ? Is there a 'recommended' pattern ? I
: had thought of using some 'hardware' to retain the paddle, i.e. a steel
: pivot. Would this be a better alternative ?.

I prefer a less complicated setup--when I'm in the water, I don't
want to be scrabbling around with the rigging. For my next boat,
I'm thinking of having 3 bungees parallel to the keel, each disected
to 2 lengths: widths of a greenland paddle and a feathered paddle.
that way I can just shove the paddle in and wiggle onto the deck.
If you make the paddle, a notch or two could hang on a bungee for
stability.

I definitely wouldn't want a fitting poking me in the ribs. If
you enter the cockpit from sitting on the deck, you'd want to choose
its placement with care.

Arlen