Gentlemen,

I have in fact tried out this idea. We have a Camper Nicholson 39' ketch
with an extended fin keel and skeg hung rudder that is a couple of feet
shorter than the keel. I thought of the line idea a number of years ago and
I fibreglassed a small block of wood to the aft corner of the keel and one
to the bottom edge of the rudder on the vertical line of the pivot. Both
these blocks had stainless eye bolts imbedded in them and a piece of
stainless cable ran between them. It was taught enough so there was no
flexing and the ends we covered and bound so that nothing would catch on
them.

I felt sure that this would protect me completely from the nefarious trap
lines and toggles. But I was wrong! I found that when a line went under the
keel and the buoy was along side of the boat sometimes the buoy would be
pulled under and it would wrap around the cable and secure me well to the
trap.

I caught more traps that summer and I quickly ground off the blocks the next
fall.

I would not recommend this approach but if you want to try it I probable
still have the eyebolts and cable for you.

Cheers

Ansley Sawyer
SV Pacem