The Kayaking Journal News

October 11, 2005 07:49 - maintaining your gear

Well, folks, another season has come and gone for us paddlers here in Colorado. We just had our first big snow storm of the season, and the skiiers and snowboarders are gearing up for their turn in the high country. It was a great year of kayaking in the Rockies, but now it's time to stow that gear away and start dreaming about next year (or start planning that paddling vacation in South America).

Anyway, it's a good idea to do a little preventive maintenance on that gear of yours before stowing it away for the season. Clean your kayak or canoe throughly before storing, and take special care to clean and treat the gaskets on your bulkheads, hatches, dry suit or paddle jacket. Rubber has a tendency of rotting out here in the dry climate of Colorado, and I always wipe my soft rubber gaskets down with Armor All protectant. And if I get really bored during the winter, I'll drag my gear out and treat it again just to be sure.

Another good idea is to deflate your flotation bags and remove them from your kayak during the off season. And if you use a VHF radio, fish finder, or other electronic device while kayaking, it's wise to remove the batteries while not in use. Even modern alkaline batteries can leak and damage expensive electronic equipment.

So take care of that gear, and start making your plans for next season's spring runoff.

October 13, 2005 08:29 - Old Town Kayaks -- a Venerable Company That Delivers

Old Town Canoe is one of those venerable companies that have been around for over a century, and Old Town kayaks are worth considering if you're in the market for a new boat. 

We recieve a lot of email from paddlers all over the world, and owners of Old Town kayaks seem to be among the most loyal group of boat owners around. Paddlers rave about OT's comfortable cockpits, sturdy construction, and stability on the water. 

Just as with any other kayak brand, we've heard a few complaints about Old Town kayaks, mostly minor issues regarding seat comfort and the tendency for the rubber hatch covers on some models to leak. But these negative comments have been relatively few and far between, and you'll find Old Town owners to be a loyal and happy bunch overall.

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October 16, 2005 08:14 - Buoys are there for a reason -- use them!

The next time you're kayaking out at sea, and you're trying to determine the direction of the current or tidal stream, look at any buoys you encounter along the way. Buoys are a good indicator, and they'll let you know whether or not you should move closer to shore, or away from it in order to take advantage of the currents. If there are no buoys in your area, look for kelp or floating debris in the water.

As a general rule, along a straight shoreline, the current will be running parallel to the shore. The current will be stronger in deeper water, and weaker as you approach shore. If you're paddling along a broken or irregular shoreline, currents can be harder to judge. You'll likely encounter eddies and other swirling currents behind headlands and in bays, so adjust your travel accordingly.

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