All kinds of line will work fine, but I still preffer large diameter good quality yacht braid dacron. Retired nylon climbing rope would be ok too. The reason I like the good quality large size line which has a braided sheath is because it has such a nice hand (it forms knots easily and smoothly) and because, with the oversize line (3/8 and larger), it is easy to tie the boats firmly, but not too tight. If the line is large, and not too tight, it will not wear the gelcoat as badly. Another advantage of using knots and low stretch line is that you tie the boat in a slightly differrent spot every time, reducing the potential wear at any one point. I trust a good knot, tied in large line so that you can see it clearly, more than I trust straps and mechanical cams (though I am sure some of these are better made than others). The firm, but gentle, lashing in large, low stretch line, will be unlikely to bend your boat out of shape. Good quality dacron (yacht braid, from a marine chandlery) will last for years and years without loosing it's good handling qualities. It resists UV and dirt very well. Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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