I'm also a new kayak owner - fiberglass Cape Horn and have been reading and asking questions and trying to get the basic gear without breaking the bank. FWIW, here's what I have so far. Keep in mind that I paddle in North Carolina where overheating is a problem in the summer and the winters are relatively mild. Kayak (fiberglass Cape Horn), paddle (Werner Camano), PFD (Lotus Strait Jacket). Paddleboy 2-wheel cart for transporting kayak on land. Car rack Cockpit cover - to keep out dirt when driving or storing kayak. Sprayskirt - I got all-nylon for keeping cool, but keeping water out when the things get choppy. Insulated water bottle (which I will fill with ice, then top off with water) + extra water. 2 drybags for change of clothing, camera, food/snacks, etc. One medium, one small. Maps Paddle float (made of 2 pieces of foam (from kayak shop) - put together with duct tape - I don't want to have to inflate a paddle float!) Scooper and sponge for "water in the kayak" problems - bilge pump to follow shortly. Need to buy a light - am following discussions on PW for which to buy. Battery operated weather radio Long sleeve, fast drying top for sunburn protection. Fast drying nylon shorts. Water sport sandals Long pants, turtleneck, fleece top, paddle jacket, sweatshirt, warm socks, sneakers to go in dry bag for emergencies. Hat for sun protection. Bandana to keep neck cool. Suncreen Chapstick Tissues Towel That's it for summer paddling in North Carolina. Must buys before going out: Bilge pump, light, compass, waterproof map holder. For winter paddling in NC I plan to get: a Farmer Jane wetsuit and ???? I will consult with local experienced paddlers to find out the typical cold weather gear in this area and will THOROGHLY research water temps on the lakes and at the coast so I'll know what I need to buy before even thinking about venturing out. Any suggestions on what I'm forgetting (both for summer and winter paddling) are always welcome. I'll be at Hilton Head Island, SC for a week of kayaking in June. Although the ocean is definetly off-limits at this point in my kayaking life, I will be paddling in Calibogue Sound which is a large body of water and can get choppy with wind and currents. I do plan to stay near the shore but want to be prepared. I've read the book!!!! (Deep Trouble) and am suitably cautious as a result. TIA, Susan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Susan: I'm basically in the same boat (OK, I know that is a really bad, and probably overused pun...) I think weatherwise we are dealing with the same conditions... Here's my two cents: At 13:15 28/05/00 , MCLAURY_at_aol.com wrote: >Sprayskirt - I got all-nylon for keeping cool, but keeping water out when the >things get choppy. I have been using an all-nylon sprayskirt by Wildwasser and I hate it. The thing leaks like a sieve. Really bad in waves and surf. I'm not sure if this is via the tunnel or via the coaming. If you go all-nylon, check out the kind that have suspenders that hold the tunnel up -- that is what I will do in the states. I will also want to consider the neoprene-nylon combo. And if you go all-neoprene, you can always splash yourself to keep cool. Also, make sure that it it easy to put on and take off. >Long sleeve, fast drying top for sunburn protection. I use O'Neill "Skins," which are lycra and nylon. Made for surfers, good for kayakers. Very cool, fast drying; mock turtleneck for neck coverage. I think that RapidStyle "Second Skin" is the same thing, but I'm not sure. For winter here I'm thinking about getting "fuzzy rubber" or some such similar material. Actually, I've done fine with neoprene booties and Polartec 100 pants and shirt; my wife, though, needs something warmer here in the winter. We will try to pick up this stuff in the States (Denver, Seattle, SF Bay Area) this summer; nearly no selection here. Have fun, Josh ============================================================================== Dr. Joshua Teitelbaum, Research Fellow Tel: [972] 3-640-6448 Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and Fax: [972] 3-641-5802 African Studies Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978 Israel E-mail:teitelba_at_ccsg.tau.ac.il www.dayan.org ============================================================================== *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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