Wonderful site you have here. Hope you get more boating bloggers. We will be posting some information regarding Marine Electronics for use on your boat.

Recent discussion on the CLCBoats.com forum reminded me that I still have to install grab handles on my kayaks. For the Mill Creek I'll use the traditional looking padeyes. For Michael's Chesapeake I'm undecided so I've started researching the options. Here's what I've found so far.

Forum wisdom seems to think that a loop of rope through the hull is not comfortable for long or heavy hauls and may cause injury if the boat spins or rolls in the surf. Read the discussion

I haven't installed foot braces in either of our boats yet. I didn't want to put holes through the deck and hadn't gotten around to following Kurt Mauer's plans. Now I am kind of glad I didn't. I'm pretty settled on using Nick Schade's approach as described in his book "The Strip-Built Sea Kayak" and plan to buy the kit from shearwater-boats.com.

Research "wooden kayak foot braces" on the web, discussion groups or BoatBloggers.com

Kurt Maurer, added another entertaining article to his site illustrating how he rigged his cormorant for fishing.

Research "kayak fishing" on the web, discussion groups or BoatBloggers.com

A couple of really cool approaches to installing the deck bungees in a clean low-profile manner. Plus some funny dialog ;-) Here is a quick summary.

The most common way to install deck bungees is to run them through netting and padeyes and tie the ends together. While this works, it would be nice if you didn't have to see the big knot on the deck.

The first approach suggested is to use plastic zip ties to hold the bungee ends together. This results in a much lower profile and the connection can be hidden under the webbing loops.

The second approach suggested is to use super glue on the ends of the bungee and a heat shrink wrap like used on electrical wire. The black heat shrinks are UV safe. Again this would be hidden under the webbing loops.

Install your rigging using this very cool approach to making soft padeyes. Courtesy of Redfish Kayaks.

Kayakfit.com is a must read for kayak builders who want to get the most comfort and performance out of their boats. Kurt Mauer, author of the Pair O' Mill Creeks site posted this on the Chesapeake Light Craft Forum.

The folks on the CLC Builder's Forum had an informative discussion on custom built backbands. Their ideas improve both comfort and appearance of commercial options.

A good forum discussion (reads like an article) on anchors for kayaks. It includes pictures and focuses on fishing issues.