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Tips for Maintaining Kayaks and Paddling Gear

10/2/2019

5 Comments

 
Kayak Maintenance
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

5 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!

Reply
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.

Reply
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.

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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!!

Reply
Md Nowshad link
8/18/2020 02:43:10 am

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!

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  • Home
  • All Trips
  • US Trips
    • January - Kayaking with Manatees
    • January - Everglades Kayaking and Beach Camping
    • March - Cedar Key Islands Kayaking
    • April - Suwannee River Paddling and Camping
    • June - 1000 Islands Kayaking
    • July - West Central Adirondack Kayaking
    • August - Northwest Adirondack Kayaking Tour
    • September - Adirondack Great Camp Hike and Paddle
    • October- Great Smoky Mountains Kayaking Adventure
  • International Trips
    • January - Panama Islands Kayaking and Camping
    • February - Costa Rica Kayaking and Exploring
    • May- Italy Kayaking, Cuisine and History
    • July - Kayaking with Whales in Newfoundland
  • Custom Trips
  • Contact Us