Author: Arthur Moore

If you own a commercially made sea kayak, the odds are that the forward bulkhead is far enough forward to seat a NBA basketball player quite comfortably. Most paddlers are shorter than this and the bulkhead ends up too far forward. That means that the floodable volume of the cockpit is greater than it needs to be and the volume of the forward dry storage compartment is less than it could be. Moving the bulkhead can recover some of this volume to your advantage. One disadvantage in moving the forward bulkhead is that the kayak can no longer be sold…

When deck mounting a towing rig of any type, it may be desirable to reinforce the deck in the area where a deck fitting is attached. Use epoxy to adhere a patch of fiberglass or Kevlar to the underside of the deck to spread the load. Deck mounted towing rig These are used for sea kayaks – I’ve never known such a thing on a whitewater kayak. Many paddlers use PFD towing belts for towing other paddlers. Others still use webbing or rope loops around themselves or the coaming. Both those techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Another approach is to…

Knee tubes and shelves are useful additions to a sea kayak. They allow you to store easily-retrieved objects in the cockpit without worrying about them being loose. They can be used in addition to or instead of a day hatch. Knee tubes, especially in kayaks with ocean cockpits, also provide an extra bracing option for your knees. When you design your knee tube or shelf, just make sure you don’t compromise your ability to get in or out of the kayak. Remember as well that the shelf or tube may affect your ability to perform emergency re-entries on the water.…

Many paddlers use hand pumps to empty their kayaks in the event they get water in them. However, most pumps require two hands – one to hold the pump and one to do the pumping. If the reason you’ve got water in your kayak is a wet exit, then you are following that event with trying to stay in your kayak while not having even one hand free to brace. For that reason, many kayakers prefer to have a pump that allows them to use their hands for paddling and bracing. When estimating how much capacity you need, consider that…

Deck lines are lengths of cord, rope, or bungee, used to attach gear to the deck of a kayak, or as an aid for a swimmer to hold onto a floating kayak. Decklines, include non-stretchy perimeter lines, foredeck bungies (which are also referred to as a chart park and used as one end of a paddle park. Perimeter lines Perimeter lines typically form a triangle starting from the bow and running along both sides of the kayak to a point just in front of the cockpit, and another set from the stern to just behind the cockpit. Perimeter lines make…

Making a mold for a kayak seat is as simple as adding water and sitting down. For a mold material you can use the expanding foams, but they are rather expensive, and get uncomfortably warm as they set up. There are cheaper alternatives. The one I suggest most often is what I call the Chicago Swimsuit: Concrete. A bag of Sackrete sand mix is about $3 at your local hardware homecenter. A plastic garbage bag is a few pennies. Place the open garbage bag on the ground, mix up a fairly dry batch of sand mix concrete (don’t add too…

Most any Spar Varnish will work, Z-spar Captains seems to be the most widely used brand, it costs around $20 for a quart which is good for 4 to 5 coats on your standard sea kayaks. The main purpose of varnish on your wood boat is to protect the epoxy from ultraviolet damage while you are out in the sun. Check to make sure the varnish you choose has UV protection. There are several techniques for applying varnish to your boat. Most people use foam paint brushes available at most hardware stores, some use a clean rag, some spray it on with high-tech, very expensive…

Epoxy is a wonderful modern material used as glue and as a building material in kayaks. It is essentially liquid plastic resin. This resin is typically combined with fiberglass to make a composite material FRP. The chemical name for epoxy resin is the diglycidol ether of bisphenyl A (DGEBA). In general, epoxy comes as a two part system. The two parts are the resin and a hardener. Different companies have different hardeners and the mixtures are in different ratios. Normally there is an equal amount or less of the hardener as compared with the resin. 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5 mixtures are common. When mixing epoxy, protective equipment is…

Transporting your kayak safely and securely is essential for any kayaking adventure. However, traditional roof racks can be expensive and cumbersome to install. That’s where foam blocks come in. These lightweight and cost-effective alternatives provide cushioning and protection for your kayak during transportation, ensuring it arrives at your destination unscathed. How to Secure a Kayak with Foam Blocks: Step-by-Step Guide Position foam blocks on the vehicle’s roof, aligning them with the kayak’s hull shape. To safely transport your kayak using foam blocks, you’ll first need to position them correctly on the roof of your vehicle. Start by placing the foam…

Kayaking is not just about paddling through serene waters or challenging rapids; it’s also about ensuring safety while doing so. One of the essential safety tools in a kayaker’s arsenal is the paddle float. But when it comes to choosing between inflatable and foam paddle floats, which one should you go for? Let’s break down the differences and see which might be the best fit for your kayaking adventures. Inflatable vs. Foam Paddle Floats at a Glance FeatureInflatable Paddle FloatsFoam Paddle FloatsDeployment TimeRequires inflationInstantRisk of PunctureYesNoStorageCompact when deflatedBulkierWeightLightweightSlightly heavier Inflatable Paddle Floats Pros: Cons: Foam Paddle Floats Pros: Cons: Both…