In any sport, it’s very typical to go to the store and buy everything. I’m here to tell you the basic equipment you need in an inflatable kayak. So you don’t overspend, because your budget will probably be low. If you’re flush with cash, I’ll tell you about the recommended accessories, and why. From my years of kayaking experience.
Inflatable canoes are often sold in kit form, at a cheaper price, so this post can also help you if it’s worth buying the kit or not.
BASIC INFLATABLE KAYAK EQUIPMENT
PADDLE
Although it may sound obvious, you’re going to need a paddle to navigate in a kayak. Maybe some people can manage with a beach paddle or a racket. But for the rest of us, you need a paddle (not an
Something we should reduce is the possibility of losing the paddle. That’s why a leash that keeps it attached to the kayak can be vital. A more expensive option is a spare paddle, which can be disassembled for folding. We can also solve the situation if our main paddle breaks.
VEST
Another basic element in any water activity is the life jacket. And kayaking, even if it’s inflatable, even if it’s hot, even if you only separate yourself a little from the shore… you must wear it, no matter what. In the vast majority of fatal kayak accidents, the victims weren’t wearing one. And if we’re talking about dogs or children, then the vest is even more vital.
KAYAK PUMP
This accessory is non-negotiable in an inflatable kayak . It inflates it and helps to deflate it. So it’s best if it’s a powerful and robust double-action inflator . It’s best if it’s a hand pump, not a foot pump. But if you’re a wimp, there are electric pumps, which are very noisy (the ones I’ve used). There are electric inflators with a battery, although I don’t have a reference. In any case, it’s a good idea to carry the pump behind you, to replenish air if necessary, and so that it doesn’t get stolen if we leave it on the shore.
WATERPROOF PHONE CASE
If we have any mishap or scare, it’s key to ask for help quickly. It’s not easy in the water and there are several ways, but the easiest and most effective is a phone. Everyone has one, and except in very remote places we can call 112. But for that to happen, the phone has to be protected from the water, attached to the body, and with a protection that allows its use. And for all that, the best thing is a
Although they are not accessories, and you can sail naked, kayak clothing seems necessary to me. And if you can, you can put on your wedding suit, but the interesting thing is that what you wear protects you from the environment. That is, sun, wind, water or cold. I’ll talk about clothing in another post.
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
Now I’m going to talk about the most recommended kayak accessories, and I’m going to order them from most to least necessary.
BAG
I don’t know of any inflatable kayak that doesn’t have one, but you absolutely need a bag to help with transport. Or if the bag you got is flimsy, a better one or one that acts as a backpack will make your life easier.
DRY BAG
If we want to carry something on board that we don’t want to get wet or sink if it falls into the water, we have to use a dry bag . It can be a change of clothes, a snack, a book or whatever you want. But dry bags are cheap, practical and essential in an inflatable kayak.
POLYPROPYLENE TARP
This is not recommended out there but my experience has taught me that this element makes life much easier and
protects
the inflatable kayak when you assemble and disassemble it. And it gets much less dirty. Then on board it can be used to set up a shade with the
CLOTH/SPONGE
You buy this accessory in a Chinese store and it is ideal for removing any remaining water and drying it beforehand. Leaving the kayak well dry before storing it is a basic rule in any inflatable.
REPAIR KIT
Again, this is something that most kayaks normally carry. But if this is not the case, or you have already had to use it, a repair kit suitable for the material of your
CART
The good thing about an inflatable kayak is that it is easy to carry by one person alone. And with two, I won’t even tell you. But if you carry a lot of equipment (cooler bag, clothes, food, etc.) and/or you have to go far (more than 200m) a cart can be very interesting. Not so much when you go, but when you come back, wet, dirty and tired… a kayak cart will come in handy.
VHF RADIO
The
VHF radio
is highly recommended but only works at sea. It allows you to communicate with people who are close to you, who are the ones who can help you first. If you move away from the beach, or sail outside the summer, this point can be crucial. In addition, the battery lasts a long time, so it will be difficult to run out of charge. It does not replace the phone I mentioned, but it complements it. Using a phone with wet hands, or a lot of sun, in stressful situations can be complicated. Believe me. In addition, the
CAMERA
Nowadays, technological evolution has led us to use the phone to take photos, or record video . That in the kayak is very dangerous. The smartphone can get wet, and die. Or fall to the bottom of the water. And if you use it inside the case, everything loses quality. A waterproof camera with IPX7 protection is the best. And with a float. There are models (fewer and fewer) that meet the rigors of adventure sports.
However, action cams, and 360 cameras have been gaining ground for many reasons. And for me the queen is the GoPro. It also serves to record and photograph other activities: biking, hiking, communions, and even loving sessions 😉
And I stop here. There are more accessories for kayaks that would make your checking account tremble, but that I see little use in an inflatable kayak. An anchor,
