Great Outdoor Blog

<img src=”/graphics/paddle/_howto/100_0401.jpg” width=”320″ height=”240″ hspace=”5″ vspace=”5″ align=”right”>&ldquo;A Place for Everything and Everything In Its Place&quot;<br>
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<p align=”left”>By Bill Mauney <em class=”bodysmall”>- <a href=”/locations/charlotte.html”>Charlotte</a> Store Manager</em></p>
<p align=”left”>When loading a sea kayak not only does one need to pay attention to weight distribution, trim, listing, etc., but also one should make sure that the items are packed in a way that is convenient and makes sense.&nbsp; What follows is not an exhaustive treatise on the subject.&nbsp; This is just an overview.&nbsp; What you ultimately end up with will be as unique as you are.&nbsp; There is no perfect way to do this.&nbsp; You must come up with what works for you.&nbsp; What follows are some guidelines, along with the information in Part I, will guide you.</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s start with the fore deck.&nbsp; In front of you needs to be your marine deck mounted compass.&nbsp; These can be permanently or temporarily mounted.&nbsp; The key is to have it mounted as far forward as you can and still be able to read it accurately.&nbsp; This allows you to look up easily to find targets that are in line with your heading.&nbsp; This forward position also helps prevent seasickness because it is easier to keep an eye on the horizon instead of your rocking kayak. </p>
<p>Between you and the compass should be your waterproof chart case.&nbsp; This will be mounted to the deck rigging just forward of the cockpit.&nbsp; The chart is best viewed from above when doing chart work so mount it as close as possible to the cockpit.&nbsp; Some chart cases allow the user to pull it over the deck of your spray skirt and then return it to the fore deck when it is no longer needed.&nbsp; A small mesh &ldquo;ditty bag&rdquo; is useful to store a grease pencil, backpacker&rsquo;s or bearing compass, course plotter, sunscreen, etc.&nbsp; Make sure all items on deck are attached to deck rigging or tethered in some way, as even a small wave will wash them overboard.</p>
<p>On your person (PFD pockets, clothing pockets, spray skirt pockets, or waist pack should be items needed for signaling for assistance, and short term emergencies in case you capsize and are separated from your kayak. What you carry depends on the remoteness of the shoreline and what might be needed for short or long term survival until help arrives.</p>
<p>Gear stowed inside the cockpit varies from food and drink to emergency gear.&nbsp; A homemade or store bought &ldquo;knee tube&rdquo; or other below the fore deck storage area is ideal for accessing items while underway.&nbsp; Be sure that such a device does not make a wet exit difficult.&nbsp; Other items such as bilge pumps, sponges, extra flares, etc. can be stowed beside the seat between the seat hangers and the hull.&nbsp; Larger, heavier items like water can be stowed behind the seat.&nbsp; Any items that might float away or sink in the event of a capsize should be tethered or secured well.</p>
<p>The deck rigging just behind the cockpit may store your paddle float.&nbsp; Aft of that would be a spare paddle securely stowed on deck.&nbsp; </p>
<p> <img src=”/graphics/paddle/_howto/loading1.jpg” width=”320″ height=”240″ hspace=”5″ vspace=”5″ align=”right”>If your kayak has a &ldquo;day hatch&rdquo;, this is an ideal place to store those items that you might need to access while underway, but they need dry storage.&nbsp; Actually, there is no such thing as &ldquo;dry storage&rdquo; because even with bombproof hatches and bulkheads moisture in the air will condense on the cool interior surfaces.&nbsp; If it needs to stay dry, always use dry bags or dry boxes.&nbsp; Items in the day hatch might include camera, paddling jacket, an extra layer of clothing, a warm hat, lunch, water, first aid kit, other emergency items, etc.</p>
<p>Gear in the forward hatch or the aft hatch cannot be accessed while underway.&nbsp; It is best to pack theses areas with the gear you will need once you reach shore.&nbsp; These items are best stored in small dry bags or stuff bags and loaded like a mini container ship following the rules of weight distribution outlined in &ldquo;Part I&rdquo; of this article.&nbsp; Long, narrow, tapering dry bags work best for the very ends of the kayak.&nbsp; Make sure you can reach them before cramming them way into the ends of the kayak.&nbsp; If you can&rsquo;t, tie a small piece of line to the bag and lay it along the keel line towards the hatch.&nbsp; This will relieve you from the frustration of not being able to retrieve your gear from the ends of your craft.</p>
<p>The first items you might want to retrieve after a long day of paddling in cold conditions might be dry, warm clothing, something to eat and a warm drink from a Thermos or heated by your stove.&nbsp; These items need to be easily accessible.</p>
<p>Remember to keep items containing batteries, speakers or iron/steel away from the area near or below your deck mounted marine compass.&nbsp; More on this in another article.</p>
<p>Finally, have a large mesh duffle bag on board.&nbsp; It weighs little, takes up very little space and is a lifesaver for hauling your gear to and from your kayak.&nbsp; </p>
<p>After a few trips, you will develop the &ldquo;ideal&rdquo; (of course you will always be &ldquo;tweaking&rdquo; it) plan for stowing your gear for day trips to multi day trips.&nbsp; Once you do, you will have &ldquo;a place for everything and everything in its place&rdquo;.&nbsp; When you need it, you&rsquo;ll know where it is and how to access it. </p>
-Happy Paddling

By Bill Mauney

Most folks think that loading a sea kayak is all about getting everything in, but a mariner understands that “there is a place for everything and everything in its place.” There are two things to consider. First is how the load will affect the performance of the sea kayak. Second is where do I pack what and why? Let’s look at the first consideration, how the load affects the kayak’s handling characteristics.

The rule of thumb is to pack the heaviest items as low as possible, centered along the keel line, and closest to the cockpit and the lighter items towards the ends of the kayak and/or higher. The goal is to have the kayak trim, equally balanced fore and aft. Look at a side view of your empty kayak floating in the water. The loaded kayak will look the same in terms of balance front to rear only it will be sitting lower in the water due to the added weight. Too much weight forward will make the kayak “down by the bow” or the bow being more immersed than the stern. The kayak will tend to weather cock or turn into the wind. This could be an advantage if you are paddling upwind, but this will make the kayak more difficult to control. Too much weight aft may cause the kayak to leecock or turn downwind. This may have its advantage if you are paddling downwind, but again this will make control a problem. A trim kayak is best for all round performance. Remember you may have to turn around and go the other way or the weather can change rapidly.

Not only do we want our kayak to be trim fore and aft but also trim side to side. If heavy gear is packed on one side of the keel line the boat will list or lean to that side. This again will cause control issues, as the kayak will want to carve turns in the opposite direction to the list. So not only do you want to pack the heavy items low along the keel line and closest to the cockpit, but also you want to wedge these items into place so they don’t shift to one side in wave action or when you lean your kayak to turn or brace into a wave.

Once packed have your paddling buddy check for trim and list while you sit in the kayak. Remember you are part of the load. Do the hula, rocking the kayak from side to side using your hips. Is the gear shifting around?

Avoid stowing gear on the deck. It affects stability by raising the center of gravity. Also, it can easily wash overboard if hit by a wave. Deck bungees will not prevent this, so if something must be on deck, make sure it is secured by some other means or use a tether. Gear on the deck also creates a sail that can make the kayak more wind sensitive. Waterproof deck bags can be a good solution for small items and mesh deck bags for items you don’t mind getting wet. More on what goes on deck later.

Items stowed in the cockpit should be behind the seat or between the seat hangers and the hull. Some folks make or purchase special storage units mounted under the foredeck. Never stow gear between your legs. If a capsize occurs, this practice may cause entrapment. Items stowed in the cockpit need to be secure so they will not float away in the event of a capsize and wet exit by the paddler.

As you can see, how you distribute the weight in your kayak will have a huge effect on handling characteristics. A little fore thought will go a long way in making your adventures more pleasurable and safer. Remember, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” In the next article I will discuss where do I pack what and why.