Yes, this is intended to be fairly permanent. I don't know the term wracked, are you referring to making frapping turns around the seizing?
This sounds like a good option, but I think I'd feel more comfortable with a lashing between two loops in the ends of a strop, HM stuff just seems too slippery. Is that unfounded? Also, I'm unsure how well a shackle or toggle will fit above the grating and if the strop would chafe on the edges of it. Thinking about it again, maybe I can do this aft of the grate walkway. Going to the boat tonight, will have to check it out.
Here's a pic that sort of shows the space between the bowsprit and platform and the size of the holes in the platform.
