When you’re just lazy paddling on the beach, you don’t need much gear (other than your PFD, of course). But when you go day touring or out on open water, you need to be prepared. Here is a complete list of kayaking gear your should take on day touring trips. You can download a printable version of the essential kayaking gear checklist here.
Many Ohio natives will attest that kayaking is one of their favorite outdoor activities. You’ll find calm lakes to float along, as well as raging rapids for an adrenalin rush in Ohio. Here are the best places to go kayaking in Ohio.
Circuit breakers play a critical role in all electrical systems. You have them in your home, in your car, and you need circuit breakers for trolling motors as well. If you’re new to electric trolling motors, you may not even know what a circuit breaker is and why you need one. I sure didn’t at first! This guide will teach you everything you need to know on the topic, so let’s begin.
What is the easiest way to haul your inflatable boat? Put the whole thing on a trailer, of course. If you have the space to store it and the time to drive a bit slower (due to towing), inflatable boat trailers are great. In this detailed guide, you will learn all about how to choose a trailer, what modifications you may need, and how to tow it as well. Let’s get started! How to choose a trailer for an inflatable boat There are several things you need to pay attention to when buying a trailer for your SIB (but not …
Inflatable boat trailers – Complete guide Read More »
Buying an inflatable dinghy is your first step to having loads of fun on the water. However, the purchase represents an investment, and as such, protecting it with an inflatable boat cover when you’re not using it is a good idea. How can an inflatable boat be damaged when not in use? Rocks and branches in the water are generally not the biggest enemies of inflatable watercraft. Nature is. Inflatables are vulnerable to the wear and tear that nature and our environment can cause: UV rays when left out in the sun. Bad weather conditions like rain and snow. Pollutants …
Why you should cover your inflatable boat Read More »
An important skill you’ll need to learn for boating is how to tie sailors’ knots. Why? For any given situation at a marina or out on open water, you will need to choose a knot to effectively and safely accomplish a task. Nautical Knot Dictionary First, know that you may use the terms nautical knots, sailors’ knots, and boating knots interchangeably. They all mean the same thing. There are a few sailors’ terms you need to know before learning how to tie nautical knots. Here is the most important terminology you’ll run into when learning to tie knots.
Becoming a proficient paddler involves getting familiar with the anatomy of a kayak. Don’t worry. It’s not that complicated, but very useful nonetheless. The anatomy of both inflatable and hard-shell kayaks is similar, so I won’t list them separately in this regard. I’ll list their differences instead.
The first step in becoming a good paddler is learning how to get in and out of a kayak. Even though it seems straight forward, believe me, it is not as graceful as you think the first few times you try. You will fall into the water, but it gets better with experience. There are a few tricks of the trade, though, which I will share with you now. They will increase your confidence while entering and exiting your yak and allow you to help others. These methods work for getting in and out of inflatable kayaks, as well as …
Both hardshell and inflatable kayaks can be categorized into two different styles: Sit-on-top kayak (SOT) and Sit-in kayak (SIK) The two designs differ drastically from one another, and each suits a different purpose. Let’s look at how they are different and the pros and cons of each design. The differences between sit-on-top vs. sit-in kayaks The most apparent distinction between sit-inside and sit-on-top inflatable kayaks (& hardshell models) is that SIKs have an enclosed cockpit that positions the paddler inside the boat at or below the water level. In contrast, SOT kayakers sit on top of the kayak above the …
Sit-Inside vs. Sit-On-Top Kayaks – 4 Reasons One is Better Read More »
Most hard-shell and inflatable kayaks have the option for a skeg or a rudder. But what are they and what do they do? What is a Kayak Skeg and How Does It Work? A skeg is a fin (also called a tracking fin) that is either built-into your kayak’s hull or can be attached to it. It is used to help keep your vessel going straight (tracking) with minimal effort when the wind and waves would affect the boat’s handling. It achieves this by trimming the boat.
