Use Kayak Flotation to Keep Your Kayak on the Water

Kayak flotation is an essential item if you want to keep your kayak on the surface after a capsize and wet exit--and you will capsize at some point, no matter how skilled and experienced a paddler you are. And if you're a whitewater kayaker, you'll probably spend more time in the water than on top of it. Which is the reason that every spare inch of your boat that's not stowing gear or stowing you should be packed with good kayak flotation.

Kayak flotation comes in several types and flavors. In touring kayaks, flotation usually comes in the form of watertight compartments for and aft of the cockpit -- the cargo bulkheads. Whitewater kayaks, on the other hand, are smaller and designed to be more maneuverable on the water, and don't have the luxury of cargo bulkheads. These boats rely on air bags to provide flotation fore and aft. Look for bags with long inflation tubes, which allows for easy inflation once they're installed in the boat.

For sea kayakers, dry bags are another way to add flotation to your touring kayak. These sealable rubberized sacks come in a variety of sizes, and can be used for stowing clothes, food, and other gear. And once they're sealed full of air, they'll add buoyancy and help keep that swamped kayak from sinking like a stone.

Got Gear?

Is that PFD of yours getting a little frayed around the edges? Is that spray skirt springing a few leaks? Well check out one of our featured merchants for great online deals on kayaking accessories.

Retail sporting goods stores are great, but most only carry a limited selection of kayaking gear, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, offer a wide selection of name-brand kayaks and paddling accessories, and at discounted prices. And online shopping offers a convenient, comfortable alternative to driving all over town looking for that hard to find item.

Our featured merchants are all well-established companies that have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world.

For some great deals on new kayaking gear, click on one of the following links:

Backcountry.com
Shop Backcountry.com for a great selection of name brand kayaking gear, including Thule, Yakima, Wildwasser, and others.

Tips & Tricks

Always test new equipment before going out on the water. A seat cushion may come loose and get jammed forward when you reenter the cockpit. That new bilge pump you just bought may be defective. Or the batteries that came with your new VHF radio may only work for 20 minutes. The same rule applies to gear that's been in storage for a long period of time. Always test, and you won't be surprised at a critical moment on the water.