For my deck lines, I use round 6 mm thick leather straps. I like leather because it swells when it gets wet, and it doesn't wick water into the holes like synthetic materials.

It is often said that the Greenlanders are undogmatic, but when it comes to deck line rigging the opposite seems to be true. Historically, all kinds of deck line arrangements were used, but the comtemporary norm on Greenland seems to be nine deck lines, no more no less: a "loop" near each end. two lines behind the cockpit, and five in front. This is a versatile and functional layout, and the one I'm using for this kayak.

The process is simple enough: drill holes, tie knot, pull strap through holes. Brian Schulz has an excellent tutorial on how to install deck lines, which pretty much describes how I do it too.

Being short of cariboue antler or bone, I use teak for the tensioners. The lines are placed at 10 cm distance, and the holes in the tensioners at 5-6 cm. Before installation, I let the leather soften up in raw linseed oil for a few days. With this layout, a total length of 5.5–6.5 meters of line is needed for one kayak, depending on the beam of the kayak.

After the deck lines are installed, the kayak is ready for launch!

Foto: Bengt William Tydén

Total building time: 41 hours

Next step: Launching! 

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