Properly sized whitewater canoe paddle allow you to maintain proper control of a canoe and paddle comfortably across long distances. As a general rule of thumb, whitewater paddles are short with square blades. The shape is designed to allow quick, powerful strokes in aerated, shallow water, according to the paddling.net, a Internet retailer specializing in kayaking and canoeing. Paddlers can choose among paddles made from wood, fiberglass, carbon and Kevlar. Step 1 Kneel on the floor and place your butt on a stool or other object that is 6 inches high–the typical height of a canoe seat. This allows you…
Browsing: kayak
Sea kayak and touring takes you into far-off reaches of the water, shoreline and islands. Many hours may be spent during a typical paddling session, necessitating the need for your seat to be working properly and with a good fit. Back injury and fatigue can take place when the seat is broken or does not fit properly. Repairing kayak seats can be done in the field with basic tools or at home with specialized equipment, making for a more permanent fix. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Inspect the entire seat system. This includes the housing, nylon webbing and…
Streamwood, Illinois, is a bedroom community of metropolitan Chicago. The region is in the Northern Illinois Water Trails area and near Lake Michigan, making it a prime region for kayak touring. Lake Michigan affords kayakers many places to ply their sport. The Kankakee River flows through the region as well, allowing gentle kayak touring along the river. Step 1 Head to one of the beaches at Streamwood’s 26 miles of beachfront. Time your kayak launch from the beach for early morning during summer and fall, as the prevailing winds tend to be at their lightest in the early morning. If…
A composite kayak may be lighter. A molded plastic boat may be more durable. Visually, however, no craft is more stunning than a strip-built wooden kayak. These boats are works of art. Each one is as individual as the builder who creates it and is guaranteed to turn heads on the water. With proper care and occasional re-coating, a strip-built kayak will retain its beauty indefinitely, and can be passed down from generation to generation. Building one of these crafts is by no means an easy task, but if undertaken with time and care, those with basic carpentry skills can…
Kayak boat trailers make hauling kayaks significantly easier than car-topping them. Not only do trailers make carrying the boat easier, but gear can be stored on the trailer’s bed, which frees up space inside the car. Most commercial kayak trailers run in the thousands of dollars. When you build your own kayak trailer using a utility trailer kit, expenses can be kept under $500. Kayakers attempting to build a trailer need basic metal-working skills and the ability to follow wiring directions. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Assemble the utility trailer kit according to the directions. Both the…
Whitewater kayaking can be a dangerous sport if you do not obtain adequate training beforehand. When out on whitewater, it’s essential you know how to maneuver your boat so it does not capsize. While you may be tempted to paddle out without having learned the basics of whitewater kayak training, a hard wave can teach you just how disastrous this choice could be. Find an instructor with formal training and learn the techniques needed to help you safely and effectively paddle out on whitewater to enjoy this fun and adventurous sport. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Find…
For a boat to be legal when operating between dawn and dusk in the United States, the boat must be equipped with a series of running lights. Larger boats come with factory installed lights. Smaller fishing boats and runabouts need to be retrofitted to achieve this. Wiring the boat gives you the added measure of safety when night boating and fishing as well as making it legal. Avoid a ticket and wire the boat before you head out for some nighttime angling. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Challenging Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Position the red bow light on the port, or left,…
Transport your canoe more easily and faster by building a canoe rack on a utility trailer. This allows you to make a separate compartment for your boat that you can just carry along for all your water adventures. With just a few tools and materials, you can construct a rack that is specifically sized for your own boat’s measurements. Make a single or double tier so you can gear up and take your boat to your favorite water destinations. Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Measure the dimensions of the utility trailer. The trailer’s width determines the length of your rack’s…
Paddling a canoe requires practice and balance. The design of a canoe makes it possible to glide through the water but it also allows the craft to tip with any movement from the passengers. The natural instability of the craft means passengers should wear a life vest at all times. Solo paddling allows the user maximum control but multiple passengers requires a coordinated effort to maintain stability. The different sizes and hull designs also change the center of balance and general feel of different canoes. Instructions Difficulty: Moderate Things You’ll Need: Step 1 Purchase a short canoe with a wide hull.…
The kayak spray skirt goes around the combing of the water craft and keeps excess water from entering the cockpit of the boat, ensuring heat retention, buoyancy and dry comfort for long paddling trips. Spray skirts are made from either waterproof nylon or neoprene, depending on the primary regions paddled in. Making your own spray skirt allows for a custom fit around your body and around the kayak combing. The process requires basic sewing skills and the ability to envision a pattern on a blank piece of fabric. Things You’ll Need: Pattern and Measurements Step 1 Sit in the kayak…