Paddling Accessories Primer

There’s More to Paddling than the Boat!Paddling accessories are essential to complement your boat. Getting the right accessories will make the most of your paddling experience.

Car Topping and Transportation
Safety is the most important aspect in transporting. There are lots of ways to get your boat where you want it to be.

Foam Blocks are the least expensive option, they are also the least efficient in terms of time required and ease of loading/unloading – particularly if you are solo with no assistance. Blocks can also limit your ability to carry multiple boats or other equipment, and can affect the integrity of a kayak hull with repeated transport.
Car Rack Systems: Base rack systems and water sport accessories make loading and unloading faster and easier, and are designed to protect your vehicle and boat. Base racks are customized to your vehicle and accessories are customized to canoes, and kayaks to create the best method for paddler and boat.
Trailers are the most expensive but easiest loading/unloading option, we offer trailers to transport from one to eight boats.

Paddles
Your boat carries you, but your paddle powers the boat. For that reason, we recommend not skimping on your paddle purchase. Spend as much as you can afford – it’s worth every penny to reduce the weight and increase the efficiency of each stroke. Purchasing a lighter paddle is the easiest way to minimize effort while maximizing enjoyment. Kayak paddle materials can range from wood to aluminum, fiberglass and graphite. Canoe paddles are mostly offered in wood, but may also be found in aluminum as well as in ultra-light graphite. Bent shafts are available in both kayak and canoe paddles which provide the utmost in efficiency while minimizing stress on joints.

PFD’s
Personal Flotation Devices are required by law and need to be worn to be effective. The latest PFD’s are more comfortable with features to fit today’s boat and paddlers. They are shorter, more form fitting and breathable, and less bulky and restrictive. They range from multi-featured rescue vests used for whitewater rescues to the basic survival vest for the occasional paddler. Children are required to wear PFD's by law.

Safety Equipment
We always stress the importance of safety when paddling.

Touring kayakers should carry a paddle float, tow rope and bilge pump at all times.
Whitewater folks know better than to approach the rivers edge without a good knife, helmet, throw rope or flotation bags.
In the event of an emergency, a rescue whistle, signal horn, and a paddle leash can be vital to all paddlers.
Headlamps and emergency strobe lights keep you prepared unexpected circumstances.

Rescue whistles and some kind of emergency lighting are required by law in many states. You should carry these at all times.

Portaging
Transporting your boat between the car and the water, or between bodies of water can present a major challenge.

Carts: A set of wheels on a frame can make all the difference. Most carts are collapsible for ease of storage when not in use.
Yokes and yoke pads for canoes take the pain out of portaging without the use of a cart.

Kayak Accessories

Spray skirts prevent water from entering the cockpit during paddling, and are a necessity for open water, whitewater, and cold water paddling. They are essential for edging, bracing, and rolling. They help retain heat in colder weather and protect your cockpit from rainwater. Made of nylon, sympatex, neoprene, or a combination of those materials, there are models specifically for recreational, touring or whitewater kayaking.
Cockpit Covers keep dirt, rain and undesirable critters from getting into your cockpit during transport or storage.
Deck Bags attach to your deck rigging for easy access to smaller, more frequently used items.
Fishing accessories are available to turn your kayak into a fish-catching machine!

Dry Bags and Storage

Dry Bags seal your food and gear from water. Take your pick of various sizes, compression models, see through styles, and ultra-light bags.
Map Cases are not something you want to remember to buy after your map is soaked from rain or spray!
Grab a waterproof case that is specifically intended to protect expensive gear like cameras, radios, phones and GPS’s.
Canoeists will find bow, thwart and seat pack bags a necessity to keep gear dry and within reach.

Footwear

Water sandals provide breathability and protect the soles of your feet. Paddle shoes are a favorite for kayakers with less roomy, low volume cockpits, and neoprene boots offer protection from cold water and injury.

Paddlewear

Paddle gloves are used to prevent soreness and/or blistering from paddling as well as protect hands from exposure to cold water.
Wetsuits are made of neoprene and insulate the body from cold water even when wet. These are used extensively by whitewater paddlers, but are also popular with open water touring paddlers for cold water conditions. They can be used with base layers and additional outer layers for increased protection and come in different styles to cover your entire body, or just your core.
Drysuits are waterproof suits with gaskets at the neck, arm, and leg openings that are intended to keep the wearer completely dry even when submersed.
Spraywear tops and pants are highly water resistant with closures but no gaskets at neck, arms, or legs. They are used by recreational and touring paddlers to protect from spray or chop.

Care & Maintenance

Most boats require little maintenance and just need a little TLC. Proper storage is important to protect structural integrity and longevity. There are several options, such as Talic products, for storing both canoes and kayaks that maximize storage space and keep them out of the way.

303 Protectant is an easy to use UV protectant that is recommended to prevent damage due to sun exposure. Boat covers wrap around the entire boat for protection when transporting or storing.