(Part 3) Top products from r/Kayaking

As you have whitewater kayaking experience, your biggest obstacle is learning more about the ocean and getting experience paddling on it in safer areas than the Inside Passage.

As you live in the Rockies, that would probably consist of some more trips to the PNW, for several days at a time. I'd buy a 17" sea kayak. If you can find something on Craigslist, great, but there's a lot of overpriced junk on there too. Then again, if you're in no rush, you can wait for something good to come along.

Here's a great guide on buying a kayak

The best how-to book on paddling the Passage is Alone in the Passage. It tells you everything you need to take, where to camp, where to send food packages ahead of time, etc. It's great.

The best book on ocean kayaking I've found is Sea Kayak. It covers a tremendous amount of material in a concise, clear manner.

One more book I'd recommend is Sea Kayak Navigation.

The three books together will give you a lot of what you need to know. They're worth reading and re-reading during the winter months while you plan your summer trips.

roof rack. the roof rack (or rails) runs front to back, cross bars run across. neither Yakima or Thule make a roof rack for your car, so you're going to be stuck with a generic rack. Maybe something like this or this.

Ideally, you get a roof rack and cross bars. Canoes don't use J-racks. You could just use foam blocks and ratchet straps, but it's sketchy if you're going too fast or far. I've made 400 mile trips using foam blocks, but you got to be sure and tie it down well and use bow and stern lines.

Here's a great expanation of how to tie it down. It's worth buying the hood tie down things, $7 on Amazon.

17' canoe is heavy unless it's composite. there's some videos of best ways to load them solo.

It's cold and the weather can change in a heart beat. I live in the south end and work near owen sound and the best literature on the place I've find is this book. If you've got the skills and gear for a trip go for it! Mink and McCoy islands are amazing!


https://www.amazon.ca/Paddling-Hiking-Georgian-Bay-Coast/dp/1550464779

Nice gear photo! I might suggest bringing a bit more than 2L of water for an overnight trip. A typical adult should drink 2L of water a day. An active adult (e.g. one kayaking 40 miles) should drink more like 3L per day. For an overnight that's a minimum of 6L just in drinking water, then you'll want extra in case of emergency. A 10L dromedary bag fits easily between your legs when you're paddling, if you don't have space in your hatches.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FIU2T6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yFpgzbTBDK2F3

Source: professional kayak guide

Happy paddling!

You can get 3 kayaks (maybe 4) on a properly setup "Stacker" system - Malone, Rhino, Thule and others make such systems (basically two poles that mount ontop crossbars that can fold down when not in use) Example

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Prerequisites - you'll need a good set of crossbars & mounts that can bear the weight of 3-4 kayaks. Then get the stackers, good cam straps (6), some minicell foam blocks (6) ( two sets usually come with the stackers) and bow stern ties (6) and you'll be set! Tip - if you get Crossbars that extend past your roof by 6"+ or so inches, you may be able to fit 4 kayaks on your roof...just be sure to be careful on your turns ;-)

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This is the stacker we used and carried 4 kayaks for a while, until we moved onto a KariTek system

That's awesome. I bought my kayak for extended trips. I carry a 2 person tent and an ENO Onelink (this wasnt a kayak trip, obviously). I prefer the hammock, but trees aren't always available.

My biggest issue is water. I have a 6 liter Dromedary that I use for water as well as the 3 liter Camelbak Cortez that goes on my deck. That give me maybe 3 days of water. The next piece of gear will be a decent filtration system.

The best part about kayak camping, or backpacking for that matter is that if you set yourself up for a 3 or 6 day trip with dried food, and a water system and keep it all mostly packed, it can double as a bug out bag.

I highly recommend the very cheap kind that just straps to your roof. 30 seconds to put on, 30 seconds to take off. I have been using this one, and I'm super happy with it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015D19SS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I transport 2 17 foot yaks on the roof of my pickup truck in conjunction with one of these at roof level coming from the rear tow hitch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HDL2DX6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Books:
Sea Kayaking Illustrated: A Visual Guide to Better Paddling

Sea Kayak: A Manual for Intermediate and Advanced Sea Kayakers

Sea Kayak Rescue: The Definitive Guide To Modern Reentry And Recovery Techniques

Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation

Other tips:

a) Join a club if there is one near you.
or: Join groups with the same interest near you
Generally the quickest way to learn. Ask in forums as well.

b) You already mentioned courses. Def. do them. This is the best way to improve your technique.

c) Practise. Practise. Just paddle around, sometimes test and extend your limits in safe conditions (example: Go out in windy to stormy weather with waves [<7bft, on really big lakes <6bft] with onshore wind on a bigger lake you know well. Keep near the shore, learn how to paddle in waves. Paddle parallel to waves. Just get experience. If you fall in, worst case the wind will blow you onto the shore soon(ish). Know your equipment, always wear a PFD, have apaddlefloat, pump, reserve paddle & paddle leash, comms device and ideally a buddy. Train rescue & reentry first. Tell people where you are and when to expect you back)

d) Read a few blogs from people who did long runs on rivers and oceans. Even if they've used an open canoe, you can still learn a lot (equipment, conditions, duration and so on)

e) Maybe some youtube videos, but thats - in my experience - a bad source for kayaking. Lots of people who don't know what they are doing but think they are professionals.


For the multi-month solo trip: Your space is very limited in a kayak. It will be hard to get enough food for longer trips. For long tours a canoe is way better, although not really seaworthy. Don't go alone.

Yes, we have a 2010 Highlander. It came with the roof rack and cross rails. I purchased two sets of J racks from Amazon for $50 (link below) and they work great with our Old Town Vapor 10’s. They’d work just as good with longer kayaks. For short trips we just use two straps around the entire setup. For longer trips we tie off the front and back also. For the front we have the under hood straps that pull out when needed and tuck under when not in use. You can get them for around $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Tengchang-Pairs-Universal-Mounted-Carrier/dp/B07S1LZYK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=j+kayak+roof+rack&qid=1559098360&s=gateway&sprefix=J+kayak&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

I had a folbot super years ago. Now I have a Longhaul Mk 2--folding kayaks are great. I was going to recommend Ralph Diaz's book, the Complete Folding Kayaker, but it's out of print--and used copies are pretty pricey!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0071408096/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

A couple books on Blackadar:

Never Turn Back

Fast and Cold (only part s about Blackadar).

The Susitna got attention in the '70s on account of a proposed dam. The dam is back in the planning stages.

The Susitna is an amazing river, and most people in southcentral Alaska know it primarily for its huge salmon runs, with no idea there is some world class water upstream.

Another classic story from Devil's Canyon.

Happy summer everyone, it's time to break the paddles out!

I think most other people will cover the good points. Some are broad topics like food planning and lodging. Some are small topics like not forgetting to sunblock the underside of your chin and watching for bedsores on your ass.

There are two books I consider definitive for what you want to do in terms of paddling: this and this. The first book is for the neophyte who wants to learn as much as possible before setting out on an adventure. The second book is about kayaking rivers and while many techniques will be beyond what you're planning to do, it pays to be aware of the situations that can arise on rivers before you run into them. Kayaking a river is very different from kayaking flat water, and not many books make this distinction very well. I consider both books to be definitive for what they are, and the vast majority of advice I could give you is contained in them.

Also buy the movie "Paddle to Seattle". It's a small independent film- google it and buy it from the guys who made it. It's cheap and is two guys chronicling a trip they made with a lot of similarities to what you're doing.

This is always my suggestion for anyone asking the best way to have removable but effective tie down points.

Use these underneath the hood and hatch for quick non permanent tie down points. Sherpak 078115 Quick Loops (Pair) , Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024AVPO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JDZIBb99AK3JQ

And these so you don't have to worry about dealing with knots. Sentry Ratchet Kayak and Canoe Bow and Stern Tie Downs 1/4" Grow Light Heavy Duty Adjustable Rope Hanger (2-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVFDM5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IFZIBbHAJX6WB

I highly highly recommend any of the spiderco salt series. Especially if you can catch one on sale. They can't rust due to their type of material.

I had an NRS one along with a couple of others, all rusted quickly with salt water (even after rinsing them after every paddle)

This is the one I got over a year ago, never rinsed it, always on my PFD, still looks new and is ridiculously sharp.

Spyderco Atlantic Salt Rust Free Serrated Edge Knife, Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FLTP0A/


Btw, I added a comment to your thread about lights with my usual setup.


Cheers!

someone recommended me these and they have been great

https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Creek-LIB351500-Yakgrips-Black/dp/B001MQEQ24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527252419&sr=8-1&keywords=yakgrips

This is the one I have:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047THVIO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm very happy with it.

> I just wish it was a bit cheaper.

here you go, ... under 2 bucks. Beat that. ;)

http://i.imgur.com/PdU6Xbx.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Club-Fun-SPSEAT-FunTM-Stadium/dp/B000IZ5T30/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1369361438&sr=1-3

I like these which are transparent on both sides and thin enough that you can still access your phone and take pictures if you wish. I actually purchased an inflatable one from Walmart (about $14) so that if you were to accidentally drop it in the water it doesn't sink, since I'm a klutz like that.

Easy. Yak grips. After a long day paddling without gloves, I have had sore hands. Wearing gloves is one option, but they are often too hot. These things supply padding but don’t heat up your hands. Totally worth the $15.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MQEQ24/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the input. I’m between that and the 3M marine grade silicone. Silicone was previously used, so I was thinking I’d b stick with it for this application. Thoughts? There’s also 4000 which is specifically for sealing screw holes.

3M Marine Grade Silicone

3M 4000

What sort of projects are you working on? My buddy used to design Bayliner boats for Brunswick, and built a number of small boats, but has since moved on to aerospace.

I just watched a video of someone who had the same. Looks like this?. Yours cost about $30 too?

I have J bars and a set of these ratcheting cords to secure them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XVFDM5W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Try some yak grips? I find they work pretty well and prevent some of the soreness I wa getting from my paddle. They’re not perfect (and I have some gloves in case my hands get really sore/constantly/wet) but most of the time they’re all I need.

Cascade Creek Yakgrips Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MQD7DI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_73-2AbTJAAH11

It was this one...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KE1K9XW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this one. Found it to be very descriptive and spot on for the most part.

I also used the maps found here

I didn't have blisters, but I was getting really bad tendon pain in my hands when doing trips more than a couple hours..I got these instead of gloves, and no more deep pain at all!!! As an added bonus, they promote efficient hand positioning because you'll keep your hands in the same spot. They do need adjustment every 30 min or so though... I'm considering using some industrial glue or something so they don't slip after a while.

Any suggestions for a waterproof glue I could use?