A PFD with pockets to be sure, and if you can get pockets on or sew them on your jacket sleeves, the better. The surf has a way of taking anything you have on deck if you go there.

When I built the Anuri, I passed on recessed deck fittings for the bungies, in favor of simplicity: I just drilled, filled, and drilled holes, then laced the bungie through in such a way as to have it mirrored under the deck. I store my short hand pump and paddle float along with a small Pelican box on a tether in this underdeck bungie. True, I have to open the skirt to get to those things, but it has worked well so far. The day hatch has been a boon as well for food, clothes, water, camera etc, but don't put stuff in there that you might need in a hurry. For things you need immediate and anytime access to rough water or not, put those in or on your PFD. I got one of those hydration packs that goes on the back of my PFD with a drinking tube over my shoulder. That is a great thing. The pack has room for the collapsabile water bottle and also a large pouch for storing other things, but I have not used that yet. Just haven't needed it on my day play trips. When I made my tow belt, I based it out of a fanny pack with two extra pockets on front of the large pocket where the line is stored. My knife is stored in a clip sheath on my PFD. The paddle parks I've seen like the one I think you are talking about look great, and I have not used them, but I wonder at their ability to hold a paddle in any kind of surf or rough water. What have other's experiences with these been? A short cow tail tow with big 'biners (paddlebiners) at either end may be clipped right across the front deck and the paddle shaft clipped into either of the biners at a moments notice one handed and it isn't going anywhere. Not as pretty, but secure and useful. I spear my paddle into the bow loop bungie and under the forward cockpit bungies to store it securely.

: Seeking the advice and solutions from those who've been paddling longer than
: I (about a year,) on stowing and carrying assorted small items (water,
: food, binocs, camera, knife, bug stuff, sunblock, etc..)

: I'll soon be building my first boat (Nick's S&G Night Heron). All of my
: paddling to date has been in other folks boats -- borrowed, rented, on
: tour, etc -- so this will be the first boat that I am outfitting myself.
: Most of my paddling is day trips, and in the South Carolina Low Country,
: much of it is in hot weather.

: I'm thinking about outfitting the boat at the same time as I am making other
: purchases -- PDF, semi-drytop -- and I find I am thinking a lot about
: where to stow these little items. I've always been willing to make due in
: the various boats I've been in -- sometimes needing to open my skirt to
: access stuff... from time to time losing something from under and
: inadequate bungies... But it seems that with a little thought I can
: eliminate most of those hassles.

: I'm just wondering, between knee tubes and day hatches, pockets and deck
: nets, hydration packs and bladders -- what solutions are you folks
: happiest with? Anything I don't see on commercial baots? Anything novel?

: A good paddle park is about the only thing I am sure I am planning on at this
: point (hook and bungie).

: Thanks in advance,
: -Steve