Deck rigging

Deck rigging refers to the bungee cords, perimeter lines, and D-ring anchor points fitted across the front and rear deck of a kayak. It is used to secure gear that needs to stay accessible while paddling, such as a spare paddle, a dry bag, a bilge pump, or a water bottle, without stowing it in a hatch where it cannot be reached from the seat.

Bungee cords, usually crossed in an X pattern over the front and rear deck, hold items in place under light tension and let a paddler slide a paddle shaft or dry bag underneath quickly. Perimeter deck lines, the continuous cord running around the outer edge of the deck, serve a different purpose: they give a swimmer or another paddler something secure to grab onto during a rescue, which is why they should be snug and free of slack, not decorative.

Overloading deck rigging with too much gear adds windage that catches crosswind and can shift the boat's balance, and gear lashed on top of the deck is also more exposed to loss in rough water than gear stowed in a hatch or dry bag. A common mistake is relying on deck bungees to secure something that really needs a dry bag with a secure closure, since bungees hold items in place but do nothing to keep them dry or attached if a wave rolls the boat.