CAR and VAN INSURANCE

It might be worth noting that a lot of Car and Van Insurance companies do not cover items on the roof., i.e., Sea Kayaks, Canoes etc. We recommend you check with your insurers if your valuable Kayaks / Canoes etc., are covered and if not try one or more of the companies that will cover them.

NEW TO KAYAK ADVENTURERS / USEFUL TIPS ON PACKING A SEA KAYAK.

A quick Guide.

The first few trips packing a kayak for the first few camping trips can be daunting! Will I get all this gear IN? The answer is possibly, yes with a bit of help! Getting the balance is important, not too heavy in the stern or bow and spreading the load is important on how the kayak will perform.  Small items, or small dry bags can be pushed up towards the bow or stern with a piece of cord coming back towards the hatch so they can be retrieved when required.   Heavier items go down on the hull centre ( bottle of whisky/ gin / beer etc whatever your tipple is for round the campfire) tent pegs, poles etc., and bulky items like a tent go just behind the day hatch ( if fitted ) or just behind the cockpit at the hatch and other clothing and items can pushed into the spaces. Clothing and sleeping bag I find the front hatch ideal with maybe extra water either just in front of the foot pegs or at the bulkhead in the front hatch. Food, cooker and related items are in the day hatch secured with a fleece or other items to stop them rattling around. This is just a quick guide to loading, practice makes perfect.  Try a practice at home before you head off if your new to this.  Enjoy getting away to quiet and remote places.

CAMERAS

There are several excellent waterproof cameras to choose from on the market. My favourite is the OLYMPUS TOUGH series as they come with a lot of functions and a powerful zoom lens, the quality is excellent and they don’t take up to much room in your buoyancy aid pockets. There is nothing worse than being out paddling and a Dolphin comes to say hello and you cannot capture the experience.  This happened to me when two Orcas came passing by one day and my camera was in the Hatch … ouch!!!

Checkout your options on the internet.

BOW and STERN LINES / STRAPS

These can be useful when travelling on a Motorway or in a gale, for example passing a large truck on a Motorway the windage on a Sea Kayak is massive. However when you attach these we recommend using a short loop of 8mm bungee cord through the lifting toggle on the bow and stern,  When attached to a rope or strap down to your towing eye this will take the pressure off your kayak or Canoe. A tight line will or could cause damage if there is a sudden force transferred to your kayak / canoe or hit a large pothole. The other point to remember is your kayak is only held on the roof with two straps holding it down onto the roof Bars or Cradles, we always recommend that these are replaced more often than not, washed after use and dried and do not leave straps on the roof in the sun when not in use as they degrade in UV light.