Kayarchy - the sea kayaker's online handbook and reference

EQUIPMENT CHECKLISTS

— Short, easy day trip
— Intermediate trip
— Advanced day trip
— Multi-day trip in a wilderness area

Travelling light

THE SEA KAYAK

Choosing a sea kayak:
— five styles of classic sea kayak
— will this kayak be stable enough for me?

Sea kayak features:
— rocker
— volume
— volume distribution
— cockpit size & shape
— seat
— knee braces
— deck shape

Folding & inflatable kayaks

Sea kayak design:
— why a long, narrow kayak?
— kayak stability
— radical designs

Sea kayak construction methods:
—fiberglass, kevlar & similar composites
—polyethylene
—Royalex, Duralex, Airalex & Carbonlite

Build your own kayak

Sea kayaks vs. other kayaks & canoes

Sea kayaks vs. other small boats

Sailing rigs for kayaks & canoes

KAYAK ACCESSORIES & OUTFITTING

Accessories which are essential for safety:
— bulkheads
— hatches
— hatch covers
— deck rigging
— bow & stern handles
— additional flotation for your kayak

Accessories which are almost essential:
— footrest / foot brace
— back support
— skeg or rudder
— deck elastics
— paddle park / tow point

Other accessories - knee tube, etc.

How to add accessories to a kayak

THE PADDLE

European-style paddles
Spare paddle
Paddle float
Greenland-style paddles
Making a Greenland paddle
Using a Greenland paddle

CLOTHING & TOW-BELT

Sprayskirt
Waterproof kayaking jacket
Tuiliq
Personal buoyancy
Clothing for summer
Clothing for winter
Technical fabrics:
— natural fabrics
— breathable & non breathable fabrics
— wetsuit material
— thermal stretch materials
— base layer materials
— synthetic fleece materials
Wetsuit
Wetsuit boots
Drysuit
Hat, scarf, mitts
Contact lenses, sunglasses
Helmet
Tow-belt

DISTRESS SIGNALS & RESCUE

VHF radio
Flares & other distress signals
Lifeboat & helicopter rescue

REPAIR, STORAGE & MAINTENANCE

Repairs & repair kits
Storing your kayak
Storing kayak clothing, etc

TRANSPORTING YOUR KAYAK

On the highway
By air

KNOTS FOR KAYAKERS

General knots
Knots for a kayak tow-rope

SOME GREENLAND HISTORY

The Tuniit
The Inuit
Today's Greenland
Vikings in kayaks
Ocean-crossing Inuit