Re: [Paddlewise] RedoingDeckFittings

At 11:53 AM 12/31/02 -0600, firefly wrote:
>I saw an article in the recent Sea Kayaker Magazine about replacing some of
>the bungee cord deck fittings on your boat with more durable straps. I think
>my VCP Avocet is a prime candidate for this type of upgrade. The smart Brits
>who made the boat have underdeck protection where the screws go in. Here's
>my question: What types of strapping materials, and when I install them, do
>I need to make tiny grommets to keep the material from tearing? They'd have
>to be really small grommets. Or, can I just screw the screws right through
>the straps? If I do that, wouldn't the material eventually wear away at the
>attachment points? Thanks, Marsanne

You can buy a grommet maker to do this. It's a little kit that consists of 
a small metal tube with one end sharpened for making the holes,  a tool 
consisting of two parts for installing the grommet, and a bunch of brass 
grommets.  Should cost about $12.

However, I just put the screws through the straps.  I figure even if it 
eventually does wear through the webbing is real cheap and replacing it 
ever couple of years isn't a big deal.  The trick, however is to make a 
hole in the webbing using a soldering iron.  That makes a nice round hole 
with the edges melted and keeps it from fraying.

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