I think ST is overthinking it.  Maybe this, maybe that, what ifs.  Maybe there's a nuke strike and the whole lake is vaporized.  <- Reductio ad Absurdium.   ;)

There is no downside to knowing your limits & abilities compared to not knowing.

Painters are there for any implementation requiring a line attached to the canoe.  I'd rather be looking at rope I don't need than looking for rope when I need it.