KAYAK LIST
Packing. Heavy items go low and concentrated to the middle close to the cockpit. Pack light items in the ends: a heavy bow will cause your kayak to veer to windward, a stern heavy boat will veer downwind; keeping boat ends light helps them lift over waves, heavy ends are sluggish and tend to plunge. Develop a system of packing that doesn’t vary and gives the best accessibility. Because of all the stuff on the rear deck (paddle float, spare paddle, noodles, pump), all camping gear goes in the rear hatch (tent, sleeping pad, kitchen, most food). The front compartment has a taper dry bag with clothes, dry camp clothes, small tarp, hiking gear and lunch – all things that might be needed during the day.
Heavy items on the deck compromise stability and create a high profile for wind resistance. Be aware of sharp or hard items such a cooking pots that may wear a weak spot.
Water
Places: behind seat, in front of feet, rear compartment right behind seat and six litre in front compartment next to cockpit. Use only as many as need depending on water source availability).
Wine Bladders. These 4.5 litre bags are cheap, fairly strong and impart no taste to water. They are my choice for carrying water in a kayak. I have sewn 4 nylon bags with carrying straps for my wine bladders.
MSR Dromedary bags (6 and 10 liter) are ideal for carrying a lot of water in a kayak as they are indestructible, have three ways to pour water, great nylon strap for easy carrying and conform to any space and take up no room when empty BUT they had and still have, a big problem with a plastic odour that makes the water totally unpalatable and is impossible to get rid of. MSR replaced my three 10-litre and one 6-litre dromedary bags but these new bags are no better.
1.89 litre plastic juice bottles. Cheap but don’t conform. I store two behind my seat. Easily accessible water for that day – in the kayak and in camp.
Water bladder. Goes on deck or better yet, in holder on back of PFD (then accessible at all times especially valuable when can’t take hands off paddles because of water conditions).
Paddling
Spray skirt
Paddles – Current Designs carbon fibre with bent shaft, Superior Kayaks carbon fibre Greenland paddle
Paddle leash
PFD – whistle, knife, VHF radio, flares, small survival kit
Tilley hat or baseball hat
On Deck
Paddle float – inflatable
Bilge pump
Throw bag, Tow bag
Deck compass
Spare paddle
Deck bag – rope, nail peg, pogies, gloves, paddling jacket, snacks, toilet paper with lighter and shovel, sun glasses with case, sunscreen, lip, GPS, sail mast, camera – in smalL water-proof box, lens pen, hand held compass, strobe light, steriPen
Platypus – on deck or in holder on PFD
Charts in waterproof case, tide and current tables
Sail
Fishing rod, gaff, rubber palmed gloves, box with lures and pliers, fillet knife
Noodles for rolling boat
Kayak cart
In Cockpit
Sleeping bag (in nylon bag, 2 garbage bags, compression dry bag), pillow case, silk liner.
Behind the seat: cockpit cover, sponge, two 2-litre juice bottles for water, carry straps.
Underdeck bag. Handy for many things potentially useful when paddling.
Beside the seat: pee bottle, Thermarest seat
Water bottle
Dromedary water bags? behind seat, in front of feet.
Front hatch
Blue 10 litre dry bag: rain jacket, rain pants, toque, wool gloves, puff jacket, Marmot Driclime jacket, short gaiters
Umbrella
Clothes: (in tapered dry bag in bow) Ziptees, t-shirts, nylon shirt, light fleece, nylon shorts, nylon pants, merino underwear, socks (hiking, ultramax, merino), bandanas, small towel, dirty clothes bag
Toiletries (in tapered dry bag in bow): brush, Drysol, nail scissors, clippers, scissors, razor, shave cream, toothbrush and paste, medication, tweezers, hair ties, Wet Ones, mirror
First aid: bandaids, steri-strips, kling, cortisone, antibiotic cream, blister, mole skin,, anti-fungal cream
Book dry bag: Kindle, books on area, notes, note book, pens
Day pack (minimalist with no padding)
Hiking shoes – thick and thin socks, gaiters
Keens
Small dry bag – keys, credit/debit cards, wallet, dope, pens, spare batteries (triple A, camera, double A), UHF battery holder, insect repellant, headlight, Leatherman, lighters, passport, sew kit, cards, backgammon
Sandwich boxes locktight (rehydrating food, food storage, great water proof boxes for cameras, electronics)
Garbage bags, ziplock bags (various sizes)
Small soft cooler with lunch stuff (utensils, mustard, mayo, salt, pepper)
Rear Hatch
Nylon tarp for beach
Ikea tote bags 2 (one in each hatch)
Repair Kit: duct tape, fiberglass kit, putty, bungies, large screw driver, spare rudder cable, crimps for cable
Tent: Hubba Hubba or MEC three man, footprints
Exped down mat
Ground sheet
Large cooler
Tarps: 5×8 and 8×12 silicon nylon, large nylon tarp for kitchen.
Utensil bag: spoons, knives, forks, drainer, whisk, paring knives, juicer, spatula, can opener, vegy peeler, cork screw
Dish bag: plates, bowls, cup, cutting board, grater
Stove, stand, spare parts, wind screen, fuel bottle with pump, spare fuel
Backpacking Pots: small and large pot, fry pan, diffuser, pot holder, dish soap, scrubber, 240ml plastic cup aluminum foil
Heavy cook pot
Large bowl
Heavy fry pan with lid
(all pots nest together – fry pan on bottom, heavy pot, bowl, backpacking pots, pot lid, fry pan lid. With a quality fry pan and pot, it is possible to cook almost anything)
Bodum French press coffee maker
Fire cooking: grate in bag, fire pots in bag, dutch oven
Outback oven
Paper towels, tea towel
Dromedary water bag
Saw, nibblers (for constructing campsites, firewood)
Spare plastic bags – garbage, range of zip locks
Plastic box for vegatables
Laundry – use a dry bag filled halfway with water, a few golf ball-size rocks and some eco-safe soap. Seal, leaving some air and shake
Food
Breakfast: granola, powdered milk, bananas
Drink: coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade drink mix, sugar, powered milk, hot chocolate, tea
Staples: salt and pepper, cooking oil, margarine tube, jam tube, spices
Snacks – gorp, chocolate bar, chocolate covered almonds, nuts, sweet and salty granola bars
popcorn
Lunch: veggies and hummus, dolmatis, sandwiches (bread, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, meat, tuna, onion), cous cous, cheese, rye crisp, cream cheese spread
Dinners: Refer to kayak meal plans and recipes – burritos, chili, soup, hot pot, salads: (salad dressing, croutons), quesedillas, ham, roast chicken, baby potatoes, freeze dry meals