: I have resisted rigging the decks of my two strip boats, as I hate the
: clutter. But practicality and safety must be served. I'm familiar with
: bungees and pretty well know the pluses and minuses there, but what about
: toggles? A lot of "authentic" skin boats have them, which is one
: thing, and that would be good for my baidarka. But how well do they
: actually work? And if they work, what's the optimum geometry to achieve
: real tension when the toggles are spread apart? Does rope with a marked
: twist to it provide more holding power vs. smooth braid? And what did I
: forget to ask?

: I'll bet there's some expertise on this one lurking out there somewhere . . .
: .

: --Scott

Hi Scott,
Toggle deck rigging works very well, just make sure the holes in the toggles aren't too much bigger than the line used. They work fine with either braided line or leather line. Not too sure about twist-strand line, sliding the toggles for tension adjustment may untwist the line somewhat.

My deck lines are about a handspan apart at the gunwales, the holes in the toggles about half that. With the toggles at the centerline, there's a bit of slack, enough to lift the toggles off the deck. With them spread, they clamp down very well, I haven't lost anything from under a deckline yet.

The only potential flaws are the toggles might wear the varnish off a strip deck over time and refinishing the varnish is more dificult unless the lines are made to disconnect in some fashion.

Hope this helps,
Mike Savage
South West Cork