Thanks everyone for some great advice!
Rope thickness?
What thickness of rope would you recommend that you would be strong enough for the bow line? 'course it has to be small enough to go between the space on the hood and the fender.
BTW - I have found some protective tape designed for cars that I can place where the rope would rub. Then it can rub as much as it can but it will only rub on this tape.
Thanks,
Ed