Sea kayaking can be a relaxing, peaceful paddle on a gloriously sunny day, observing the myriad of coastal wildlife around our shores. For me however, sea kayaking is an extreme sport which at best takes place in a tidal race. A tidal race occurs when huge quantities of sea water move with the rising or falling tide through a constriction. This narrowing can occur between two landmasses such as islands or large rocks. It can just as easily arise from beneath, as a shelf or reef on the sea bed pushes water upwards. If a large volume of water is…
Browsing: kayak
For those unfamiliar, once installed, the Advanced Elements Accessory Frame allows one to add any aftermarket 1” rail-mount, and customize with your choice of rod holders, a fish finder, camcorder, cameras or other equipment. The Accessory Frame System can be installed on most Advanced Elements inflatable kayak models as well as many other boats providing enough deck space is available. (The frame requires 22” wide for the front grommets and 23” wide for the rear grommets.) As an added convenience, this kit comes with 2 sets of 4 grommets, allowing one to use it on two different kayak or to…
It’s a common occurrence – you just purchased an inflatable kayak or paddle board and excitedly open the box to discover – bent fins! While this might appear devastating at first, straightening an integrated bent fin on an inflatable is a fairly easy task – basically, the application of heat allows it to return to normal. (Please note, this is just for the integrated flexi-fins found on many inflatables, not the removable rigid fins.) Here are three options: 1. If it is a minor bend, flip your inflatable upside down and let it sit in the sun for a while.…
Whitewater rafting and kayaking have seen a significant rise in popularity, attracting millions of enthusiasts. Nearly 10 million individuals partake in rafting annually, while 2 to 3 million engage in kayaking. These activities have become synonymous with adventure and excitement, often featured in advertisements promoting various products. Dr. David C. Fiore from the University of Nevada School of Medicine provides a detailed analysis of the injuries associated with these sports. According to Dr. Fiore, “As the popularity of whitewater boating continues to increase, physicians may expect to see more patients who are injured by this activity.” The demographics reveal that…
One of the most important factors that you need to consider when you are buying or renting a kayak is the weight limit. Unfortunately, for most kayakers especially the beginners, the width and length options are the only things they consider. When that happens, you end up with a kayak that is not sized properly for your weight. So that begs the question; how do you choose the right kayak based on your weight? The rule of thumb when it comes to kayaks is to go for a kayak that has a maximum weight capacity rating of about 125 pounds more than…
Kayaks come in different shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a new kayak, there are certain factors that you will pay attention to like the type of kayak, the size, design, maximum load, volume, and the brand. The weight of the kayak is the last thing anyone would consider when buying a new kayak. So that begs the question; does the weight of the kayak matter? And if it does, how much does a kayak weigh? Simply put, the weight of a kayak matters and will depend on a number of factors that might include the length as well…
If you love kayaking, at some point you might have considered buying your own kayak rather than keeping on renting one every time you go kayaking. So, you already know the kind of kayak you are looking for in terms of size, weight capacity, and type of kayaking you will be doing. If you are like most people, one thing you might never have considered or given much thought about is when you need to buy the kayak. Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong time to buy a kayak. Knowing when to buy a kayak goes beyond saving…
Safe and reliable kayaking depend on maintaining your gear in good order. In particular, your kayak should undergo maintenance on a regular basis. Good kayak storage can help avoid future maintenance problems – store the kayak out of the sun. If you cover it with a tarp, ensure that the tarp is not in constant contact with the kayak – ensure a good airflow over the kayak so it stays dry. Use a cockpit cover when not paddling to protect the interior from UV radiation. In storage, use a mesh cockpit cover to keep critters out while allowing it to…
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…