Tips for Maintaining Kayaks and Paddling Gear

10/2/2019

Getting kayaks ready for a trip.

It’s that time of year when those of us in northern regions need to start thinking about cleaning and storing our summer “toys”. I’m lucky enough to be using kayaks year-round on kayaking trips so I don’t need to worry about storage. However, even if you don’t need to put away your gear for winter there are some basic maintenance tips that will make your kayaks and paddling equipment last much longer. I recently had a lengthy conversation with a guest about gear maintenance which prompted me to share what I do to keep my gear in pristine shape.

Kayaks

Sweep as much sand and debris as possible from inside the cockpit (pay special attention to areas around foot pegs, rails and the underside of the deck) and then vacuum it out. For years I tried to hose the cockpit out and could never get all the sand out, this method seems to work much better. I also do the same thing inside the hatches.
Wash the boat inside and out with a mild soap, rinse well and then open everything up and allow it to dry completely. This is a good time to inspect the entire boat for damage. For me this is when I see how much damage the oysters have caused on the Cedar Key Kayaking Adventure.
While the kayak is drying, do a thorough check of the perimeter lines, deck bungees, rudder cords/cables, bulkheads and hatch covers. Replace or fix what is necessary. At this time, I also check that the rudder is operating properly and give it and the rails inside the cockpit a squirt or two of silicone. It is important to use 100% pure silicone and not a product like WD-40. Silicone protects, lubricates and repels dirt while WD-40 will attract dirt and hurt the performance of the rudder.
Once the boat is dry, spray it down with a protectant like 303® Aerospace Protectant. This will not only clean the boat but also has UV protectant, kind of like sunscreen for your kayak. A huge plus to this product over other protectants is that it is not oil based and won’t leave a film of oil in the water the next time you paddle.
In an ideal world, kayaks should be stored indoors and on their side (chine). However we don’t always have room for that and realistically if the boat is kept in the shade and doesn’t get crushed by snow and ice (this has happened to me…) it will be OK. However, it is still best to store on edge because kayaks are more structurally sound when on edge and won’t crush as easily under the weight of snow and ice.

Equipment

Paddles should be washed with the same detergent you use for the kayak. I soak the ferrules in the soapy water for a minute or two and then wash that area really well to remove any grit or grime that has accumulated. This is especially true of paddles used on multi-day saltwater trips, like our Everglades, Panama or Costa Rica trips. Once they are dry, I spray the ferrules liberally with silicone to ensure that they go together and come apart easily in the future.
PFD’s easily get stained from sunscreen and dirt over the course of a season. You can use the same soapy water that was used to wash the kayak and paddle but for stubborn stains you might need a stiff brush and some “elbow grease”.
Footwear can get pretty stinky over the course of a paddling season. There are several home remedies for this that I have tried over the years including soaking them in water with soap, lemon juice and vinegar. I have found little success with these but the one thing that has consistently worked for me is a product called Mirazyme made by McNett. It is widely available and does the trick.
Paddling clothing can get “odiferous” over the course of a season as well. Even though most have anti-microbials built in them today they still need some special attention from time to time. While there are many specialty detergents made specifically for paddling garments they all tend to be on the expensive side. Years ago, I came across Scent-A-Way made by Hunters Specialties. It works extremely well and extends the life of clothing with built in anti-microbials, UV protection and bug protection. Best of all, it is a fraction of the cost of some other detergents!

I hope that this helps some of you and I welcome your questions or additions.
-Scott

Tips for Maintaining Kayaks and Paddling Gear Comments

12 Comments

kate hansen link

2/12/2020 04:59:30 pm

It's good to know that you should wash your paddles with the same soap you use to wash your kayak. My husband and I just recently moved into a waterfront home that's near a lake, and we're thinking about getting a kayak to use on the lake! We'll make sure to keep these tips in mind once we get one and some paddles for the lake!

Luzy Sofer link

4/8/2020 07:58:49 am

Hey Mate, I have found your article very informative and interesting. I appreciate your points of view and I agree with so many. You’ve done a great job with making this clear enough for anyone to understand.

This has broadened my knowledge. Thanks for sharing.

Zoe Mitchell link

5/15/2020 02:26:33 pm

This is just the information we all need to take care of our kayaks. We get so excited about our next adventure when it's time to get back out on the water that we don't think about checking over our kayaks as well as you described. It is a good thing to check all of the deck bungees and rudder, because you just never know when one has seen it's last season. The last thing I want to do is find out on the water that none of my bungees are still good as I watch my dry bag float away. Thank you for the good reminders.

John S. Mastin link

7/14/2020 05:32:38 am

wow.. thanks for sharing this awesome info with us enjoyed every bit of it :) keep it up!!

Md Nowshad link

8/18/2020 02:43:10 am

Hailey Miller link

5/19/2021 02:11:11 am

I found it interesting when you said that there are basic maintenance for a kayak for it to last longer. I'm planning to buy a kayak for an outdoor adventure in July, but now I'm thinking about renting since it's my first time. I guess I should look for a kayak rental near me that can also teach me basic kayaking skills, so I will be ready in July.

Taylor Hicken link

6/29/2021 05:21:13 am

I appreciated it when you shared that a kayak needs to stored indoor if it is not being used. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is planning to learn kayaking since she wants to enjoy the activity that her late husband used to love. I will suggest to her looking for a reliable place that offers the equipment rental.

Boat Rental Clearwater FL link

7/7/2021 05:27:55 am

I’ve been surfing the web for more than an hour today, yet I was unable to find any stunning articles like this one. It’s alluringly worth it for me. Keep posting more such amazing blogs.

Shiva enterprise link

6/10/2022 05:23:28 am

Kayaks are a type of boat that is slim and compact and designed to be used by a small group of people, sometimes just one at a time. It's also known as a canoe in several other contexts. Many people consider it to be a piece of sporting equipment because it is commonly used in sports and aquatic races. Kayaks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and their designs vary depending on their intended use. Surf play kayaks, fishing kayaks, and leisure and tour kayaks, sometimes known as ocean kayaks, are the most common types of kayaks.

Kayak design is very important to the functions that they provide. For example, a recreational kayak is simple for beginners to use because it is small in weight and manoeuvrable. It's worth noting that, despite its light weight, it's tough enough to resist any weather. Kayaks often have two cockpits for two persons, as leisure is commonly done in pairs and hence is safer. The ocean kayaks, also known as tour kayaks, are created with a longer travel in mind and hence have more storage capacity, as they contain a storage compartment. These kayaks can hold enough supplies to last at least a day or two. Conditions are more difficult, and the water is more forceful.They are relatively stronger in built and can withstand tougher conditions and violent waters.

Fishing kayaks, as the name implies, are used for fishing. They have a more small and sleek shape, allowing the occupant to manoeuvre into tighter areas. Kayaks of this type are available in two different styles. The occupant sits on top of the first, while the other features a cockpit for them. Both offer benefits that should be explored with the dealer before purchasing one. This aids the individual in determining what best fits their needs. For example, the first type allows the individual to move around freely and is suitable for warm waters, but the second type, when used correctly, is ideal for shallow waters with a comparatively stronger current.

Afton Jackson link

8/10/2022 03:52:56 am

As a person looking to get into the hobby, learning how to take proper care of the equipment is extremely important to me. This is why I appreciate you talking about how to manage things like the paddles and wash everything else well so I can have a great headstart at maintaining them for good use. After my first attempt at it when I find a kayak tour I can sign up for, I'll make sure I keep the rest of your tips in mind for the future.

Tex Hooper link

10/17/2022 07:22:33 pm

I like what you said about making sure you grease your boat equipment for stains. I need to get a new boat for the open sea. I'll have to make sure it can handle choppy waves.

Braden Bills link

10/24/2022 11:17:06 am

I'm planning on renting a kayak for an upcoming trip, and I want to make sure that I don't damage it. It makes sense that I would want to keep it as clean as possible. I can see how dirt on a kayak could cause problems to it.

Tips for Maintaining Kayaks and Paddling Gear

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