Kayarchy - the sea kayaker's online handbook and reference

 

Equipment

Sea kayaks, paddles, clothing & accessories

Sea kayaker from behind

     
     
   

EQUIPMENT CHECKLISTS

 

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

Travelling light

Kayaking equipment


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 profile


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

 

Greenland and European paddles

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

 

Kayak clothing

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

 

 

 
Sea kayak under stormy sky

 

 

 

go to previous page go to top of page go to next page
About Kayarchy | Full Contents | Legal Notice & Privacy Policy | Get In Touch | ©2009-2023 N Waller