kayaks need glove boxes
The foredeck day hatch would be nice even on rec boats.
I gotta comment on your list
First of all It sounds like you have a Pelican kayak or something similar. No, there are no bulkheads in it. If you want an emergency paddle Wal mart carries one with a telescoping handle, easier to stow than a full size canoe paddle.
Asides from the fact you are carrying more electronics than the seals took into Panama and seem to be expecting wi-Fi service while also being prepared to be stranded overnight I used to carry similar items and would provide some comments based on my experience
Safety/Survival/Rescue Items (only require access in case of emergency):
-Paddle float- Why? You have a rec kayak. If you capsize you have to drag it to shore to dump the water out before you get back in. You do not need this until you buy a sea kayak.
-Whistle- tied to your PFD, not stored in a bag on your boat
-Flashlight- Stashed somewhere you can get to it while night is falling. You should have some lead time there.
-Bilge pump/sponge- Ok keep them handy
-Throw bag- These are for whitewater rescues. Leave it at home.
-Fire starter- wear it on your PFD in case your separated from the boat or stow it with the flashlight
-Knife
-Compass- I carry one in a couple hundred acre swamp, do you really think you need it?
-Glow Sticks
Personal items (just need safe/dry area to stow):
-Car keys
-Wallet- stays home. I carry Driver’s liscense, one credit card, and about $5 in a water proof carrying case on a lanyard around my neck under my shirt.
-Cell phone
Personal items (will want convenient access while paddling):
-SPOT GPS tracker
-Garmin portable GPS unit
-iPod Touch with wi-fi hotspot- these three with a cell phone seems like a lot for a couple hours on flat slow moving stream.
-Small digital camera
-Drink/Sport bottles
-Lunch- you do not want in a deck bag. Put it in a dry bag in that little tiny hatch or between your feet
-Snacks
-Bug spray
-Sunblock
-Sunglasses/Hat- on your head- no need to store.
Knife/fire starter in my PFD or pants pocket. Rest of the not needed immediately (plus paracord, duct tape,TP, and band aids for blisters) in a medium size SHTF bag between my feet. Easy access stuff as I already listed.
Leave a change of clothes at the take out. Dress to be comfortable when wet.
My list…
Yes, I have a Pelican Trailblazer 100 Angler edition from Dick’s. As far as the items on my list, it’s all just from reading recommendations online. I’m a total newb. So, I have no experience in what I’m really going to need. I’ve been researching and reading like crazy in preparation for my first kayak paddle this weekend. Everything I put on my list is what has been recommended in articles and other forum posts I have read through. Obviously, I can pare my list down based on what I won’t need in a rec kayak on flat, slow-moving water.
Most of the electronics I can leave in my car as I probably won’t need them on the water. It’s not like I’m going to be texting or typing up a blog post while I’m paddling. I shouldn’t need the Garmin GPS as I will be with a group on a guided kayak tour. I’d like to keep the SPOT GPS tracker with me just because I think it’s fun to let my friends and family follow me live if they so desire. I may or may not end up wanting to take some pictures of my adventures. So, I’d like to take the camera with me.
Okay, I can leave the change of clothes in my car at the take out. I’ll check out a spare paddle with telescoping shaft or maybe pick up one of those 4-piece paddles.
It’s a good list for starters
You’ll add to it and take away. I always have a flashlight and at least a lighter even if I am supposed to be home by noon.
Enjoy your paddle!
eyahhahah
– Last Updated: Sep-25-14 8:09 PM EST –
that's a lot of XXXX Dude !
What your loading is what I load (plus a few more) into a Solstice Titan for a 4-5 day cruise.
But size counts. Your load goes into a small pelican box 2"*3"*1.5"...keys/cards
and a clear vinyl dry bag under the knees.
A deck bag would add to your comfort.
For some of us, the deck bag or a pfd, hides a deck compass. More on that later...
I found terrific dry bags at Walmart
and YES, tie your whistle to your pfd, make sure the cord is long enough to get it to your mouth and have a code established with your paddling partner before you set out. Get the peeless type because if the pee gets wet, it won’t work. Also get a good knife on your pfd. I keep doubles of everything in the trunk of my car in case I lose the boat and have to get a ride back to the launch.
Not the first or the last
Trust me you aren’t the first rec kayaker who shows up with a ton of gear for a few hours tour. Those lists aren’t always given in the correct context.
I agree with Pirate suggestions on your list.
I would get a bunch of carabiners. Just the simple, small, cheap ones. They come in handy to easily secure gear so you don’t have a fire sale if your kayak flips.
On an easy trip a gps is more for fun and taking it with you is good practice. I believe your SPOT and Garmin gps should both be IPX7. You might want to check if they float. I don’t always trust the waterproofing on the gps, so I store mine in an Aquapac case. Just clip that to your deck bungees. A dry box under and clipped to your deck bungees is another good choice to store a GPS and maybe a few other items that you want at hand all the time.
Leave the iPod home – you will not touch it.
Pair down your keys, leave your house keys in the car. I also do what Pirate does and store my lic, credit card, $20, car key, and my health insurance card in a small dry bag I keep in my PFD pocket. You want that on you.
Clip the pump to your deck bungees or clip behind the seat.
Good to have some type of knife with you. A basic folding knife in your PFD pocket is fine for an easy trip.
Water – bring extra.
Good to have a small med kit.
As you paddle more you will find what you need to keep on hand, what can be stored, and what should be in your ditch bag or SHTF bag. You will modify this based on the weather, type of water you are paddling, how long you are going and who you are with.
As for foam in a kayak – do not rip it out. There are many stories of people removing gray things from under the hull of their kayaks that were there to support the hull. If there is foam on the sides of the seat it is there for a reason. Also the area between the seat and hull may seem like a good place to store items but frequently it can be a hard area to retrieve items from.
Store stuff you don’t need until you stop in the hatch – extra clothing, lunch, extra water, flashlight, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Even more expensive kayaks have leaky hatches – there really isn’t a guarantee of dry storage in a kayak.
Store stuff you might need on the water behind your seat on the rear bungies – pump, sponge, etc.
Store stuff that must be with you in your PFD or a ditch bag – keys, money, cell phone, knife, etc.
Stuff you need to use while on the water should be on you, in a bag between your legs, or on your deck, either in a dry bag, box, or deck bag – gps, water, camera.
good stuff pirate
yes
I agree! You can just waterproof the fanny pack also, by mixing up clear 100% silicone and mineral spirits.