Having been a reader of Paddlewise for a number of years, I have become a firm believer in carrying the proper safety gear and for critical items carrying backup safety gear. However, I do not paddle to be safe. I paddle to have fun. So I have decided that I need to carry all the proper fun gear when I paddle. Of course if you can not reach your gear then you can not use it and can not have fun with it. Therefore I tend to have a few items stored on my deck. At a recent symposium one of the instructors chided me for having an unsafe kayak because I had 2 water bottles under the bungees on the foredeck. He said having anything on the deck was unsafe because it could interfere with a rescue. I thought that was a little extreme, but since I now am carrying a few extra items in addition to the water bottles I thought I should run the list by all the Paddlewisers out there and get your thoughts on proper storage techniques. Below is my list for a simple day paddle. On the front deck: Compass USGS chart in chart case Photomosaic map Fishing map Dividers and Ruler Waterproof slate Waterproof log book 2 water bottles Binoculars General bird field guide Regional bird field guide Storm cag (prefer not having to open skirt in conditions requiring cag) VHF radio Cell phone GPS Lunch (on deck because often have to eat without getting out of kayak) Snack Digital still camera Video camera Signal light (waterproof flashlight) Combination Knot-meter/heart rate/calorie burned display Depth finder/fishfinder display Sea anchor Small V-sail rig Sailing kite (working on using one of those kite-surfing rigs to "fly" the kayak) Rite-aid (self inflating righting aid) Hand Pump (after pumping need easy place to store without opening skirt) Paddle float (after use need easy place to store without opening skirt) Small tackle box Landing net Orange Frisbee (signal device and good to cause friends to capsize by throwing it at them) On my person: Minor first aid kit Signal kit (flares, mirror, etc) Survival kit Survival water (1 qt) Tow belt On the rear deck: Spare paddle Surf helmet Swim fins Dive mask Snorkel Scuba tank Fishing rod in rod holder Of course I add 50 lbs of lead ballast to the bottom of the kayak to help keep it upright. I am using lead shot in PVC pipe. Works pretty well, but driving through the checkpoint at the Naval Air Station with several taped grey 12" pipes filled with rattling metal is not something I want to repeat. I have been thinking of mounting a couple of those revolving spice racks but am not sure what is the best way to mount them. One of those pneumatic tube systems that could bring things up from inside the kayak would be good too. I could use some of the compressed air from the scuba tank to power it. Although I have read the archived articles on electric pumps I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on mounting and wiring a lighted mirror. You have to make sure that you reapply that sunscreen correctly and have to make sure that you look as good as you paddle. Of course if you can think of any other fun gear that I should be carrying please feel free to let me know. Mark Arnold mjamja_at_earthlink.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue May 11 2004 - 16:53:29 PDT
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