Perimeter Line Replacement Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 2026. 11:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Leaders: Maureen and Ken
Participants: Es, Eric, Libby, Katie, Kirsten, Courtney, Christian
I had just finished taking pictures of the front and back decks of my red Delta 16 so I would be able to reproduce the pattern with new perimeter lines. It was now time to cut the old lines. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and snipped that first line in two. There was no going back now.
I’m usually daunted by repairs. I mean, if you need something fixed, best to get it done by someone who knows what they’re doing, right? My deck lines had lost their give, and the hatch cords were frayed and loose. It was time. I had been procrastinating on taking my boat somewhere to get these done and then noticed a club workshop was scheduled for the first day of spring. At $40, including the cost of materials, it was a good deal. I signed up. When I mentioned to Maureen that I felt daunted by this, she assured me that it was easy.
Saturday morning dawned sunny but cool. Six of us met in North Van and under Maureen’s direction, prepared ourselves for giving our kayaks a facelift. Ken provided the venue, as well as fresh coffee and a box of Tim’s donuts. I sensed it would be a good day.
We used my boat as a demo and Maureen started by showing us the step-by-step process. Starting with the front deck, we replaced the perimeter lines first, then the hatch cords. Now that the process had been demonstrated, the others started on their boats as well. It was my turn to do the back deck lines...without Maureen. I helped myself to a donut. Nothing like a honey cruller to fuel me for the next phase.
By lunch time, my work area was in the shade and I was chilly. A quick bite, then Eric and I moved inside the cabin and helped Libby work on her boat. Pictures, cut, measure, replace. We met the challenge of all the knots head on, with occasional help from Maureen and You Tube. By the time we gathered outside again, we were feeling the pride of accomplishment. The other boats were all done and Katie was polishing her new-to-her Guide 17, restoring it to its original beauty.
For a few hours that Saturday morning, there was a bit of a buzz around our work area - people chatting and laughing - which feels just as it should when a group of kayakers gets together to tackle a new challenge. We stayed on land this time, no paddling that day, but we had spent a few hours working on our boats. Suddenly I felt like a “real” paddler. And Maureen was right – it had been easy. Sort of. I mean, all those knots!
Our group was all smiles as we moved our boats out of the work area to make room for the afternoon group. They were now trickling in and looking for good spots to set up their kayaks. Eric and I loaded my boat onto our car. It gleamed in the sunshine. I took a step back and admired our handy work. We had really done this.
When I went back to the cabin to say good-bye, I noticed the next group was ready to get started. They too were now smiling eagerly, perhaps nervously, as they contemplated cutting their lines.
Esmeralda Cabral
