How to Pack a Kayak

Packing a Sea Kayak

The Calgary Outdoor Centre sea kayaks can easily hold enough food, clothing and equipment for a 1-2 week trip. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that will make packing easier.

Weight is no real problem, but size is something to consider

The weight is not the limiting factor as single touring kayaks have a weight limit of around 300 lbs and double kayaks 550 to 600 lbs. The difficulty is getting the items into the kayak. The limiting factor is the size of the front and back hatches and the available space in the front and back compartments. Items like your water jugs can easily go into the cockpit out of the way past your feet.

Canned goods and drink boxes

Canned goods pack very easily for sea kayaking, as do the 1 litre and 250 ml drink boxes. These can be loaded individually into the narrow spaces between gear bags. Be careful to balance the loading of heavy items between the front and back and from side to side in the boat. A simple way to deal with cans and drink boxes is to pack them all into a cardboard box for the drive to the coast. On the beach, you simply fill in the small spaces with items from this
box.

Small/medium sized camping items

Items such as pot sets, camp stoves, therm-a-rest pads, dishes, etc. do not necessarily need to be waterproofed, but it is better if they are. A simple way to waterproof them is to line a nylon stuff sack with a plastic garbage bag before inserting these items. Seal the bag by rolling the extra plastic and stuff the rolled end along the inside of the stuff sack.

Small,narrow items like therm-arest pads can fit in the bow or stern end, beside your seat or under your knees. Try not to have items on your deck. In an unlikely event that a capsize should happen items on the deck either get lost or act like sea anchors, making it harder to right the boat.

Sleeping bags

It is very important that your sleeping bag stay dry during a kayak trip. At the same time, because sleeping bags are bulky, they can present a packing problem. There are several options:

1.1.            Line the sleeping bad stuff sack with two plastic bags. Stuff the sleeping bag into the stuff sack and sit on it to squeeze out all of the air. Roll up the plastic bags one at a time, then do up the drawstring for the sleeping bag.

2.2.            Use a large size "Billybag"(30litre)(can be rented) and stuff your sleeping bag into it. Be sure to squeeze out any excess air before closing it up.

Clothing

Use various smaller sized Billybags (10 to 20 litre size bags) to store your clothing. It is easier to store three small bags of clothes than one big bag. Color coding works well here, green for night or sleeping cloths, blue for day etc.

Packaged Food

 Group meals, sealed in a Ziploc freezer bag can be fit into any small space in either hatch. A small plastic-lined stuff sack will also work. Or keep them in small to medium dry bags, easy to hang in trees ant night.

Perishable/Crushable Foods 

Anything requiring refrigeration will keep quite well, if well waterproofed and if it is stored near  the bottom of the boat. Crushable items can be loaded in last, and placed in a protected spot.

Camera, Film and Valuables

A dry bag or box is recommended to keep your valuables dry. You may need to pad
dry bag to protect you camera.  It is a good idea to take extra cloths with you every time you paddle even if you only plan on being out for 2 hours. Keep your valuables in this same bag
instead of leaving them in camp unattended. (note there is a dry box available
at Canadian tire for approx. $9.00. 7"x4.5"x4" ideal for first aid kits cameras vhf radio's etc.)