A few of us called them "suicide straps"
Lots of opinions on them but mine is "do it".
I made them up of clear vinyl tubing with a piece of rope through the middle and the ends tied through holes drilled through the overhang on the gunwales. You can also get a really nice kit made of flat strap and neoprene that screws down. Mine were cheap, but worked. Make sure, if you put them on, to mount them with enough of an arch to easily slip your foot in while wearing booties. They are also handy just to use as handles when beaching your boat.
They do increase your ablity to maintain stable footing when you are on a screaming reach where ALL your weight is working to lift that leward bow. They also add a little extra "oomph" to that one-way trip around the forestay when you do, eventually, pitchpole
Have fun!
