Personal Flotation Device, aka PFD aka Life Jacket
A fundamental requirement that should always be on and always zipped. You'll see some dumb paddlers who keep theirs on deck. But in 20% of capsizes, people let go of their boat, and if the wind takes it away, they're screwed. Look for a snug fit around your chest - with full freedom of movement for shoulders and arms. The waist should be cut high enough to allow for body-rotation as you paddle and wearing a tow-belt. We like a lot of pockets. Kokatat and Lotus make some of the best PFDs for paddling. Cost: $85 to $140
Paddle
There are a lot of paddles under $100, but in our experience, a $200+ Werner paddle is worth far more than twice the price. Which is why we provide them on our tours, even to beginners. Does that mean a $400 paddle is twice as good as a $200 one? No. Some of our guides use exotic paddles made out of the same material as Stealth Bombers, but most normal human beings can't tell the difference.
Paddle Float
Nobody should paddle alone. Period. But because they do, a paddle float is a cheap self-rescue essential. It's an inflatable bag that that turns your paddle into a stable outrigger you can lean on to get back into your boat in case of a capsize. And for most paddlers, it's almost impossible to get back into your boat without one. Learning how to rescue yourself is an important part of our One-Star instruction day.
Pump
Sea kayaks still float when the cockpit is flooded, but they're very hard to paddle that way. A pump bails you out after a self-rescue. Cost: about $30.
Spray Skirt
A spray skirt makes a seal between you and the edges of the cockpit to keep waves from jumping into the boat with you. If you paddle only in the most protected water, you can get by without one, but for most of us, it's a must. New paddlers generally feel more comfortable with a looser, all-nylon spray skirt vs. the tighter neoprene spray-decks that more experienced paddlers use. The nylon feels less confining and easier to get out of in case of a capsize.
Car-Top Carrier
Thule makes the best ones and they're expensive, running from about $200 to $450. (It's vital to get the system made for your particular car. Last fall, some friends of ours put their rack on a different car and had two boats go airborne on I-95.) For many cars, shaped foam blocks and some cam-straps are an effective solution that's a lot cheaper. But no matter what kind of system you use, if you're traveling over 30 miles an hour, you should have front and back tie-downs as well as straps going from side to side.
Top five items for the Complete Kayaker
When you've paddled for a season or two, what you learn is that things change. Here are 5 pieces of gear that help you deal with Reality on the water. Every one of them can be a lifesaver.
Tow-belt
If someone gets tired or sick on the water, you can't call Triple-A. Every serious paddler should have a tow-belt and wear it every time out. It isn't something you'll use often, but when you need it you need it badly. (Wouldn't a long rope do just as well? It's cheaper and better than nothing; but a tow-belt is quicker to attach and, more importantly, quicker to release in a jam, which makes it safer for both the tower and tow-ee.) For sea kayaking, our guides favor the Salamander Keel Hauler Pro because we designed it, but it's more than most paddlers need. There are other good models from Salamander and Nigel Dennis from about $50 to $90.
Igloo
An igloo is a portable shelter that takes zero time to set up because it's really just a big nylon windbreaker that you and your group pull over your heads. With four or five people inside, it gets warm in a hurry. Twenty minutes in an igloo can restore the spirits and the energy of people who've become cold and discouraged paddling in raw conditions. We've used igloos to warm up paddlers who've become hypothermic. And, when the only rest stop is a tree-less rock, we've sometimes used an igloo as a ladies room. In case of a serious injury, six webbed handles allow it to be used as a stretcher. On our tours, we always make sure at least two of us have igloos. They come in 4 and 8-person sizes.
Storm Cag
A storm cag gives you instant protection if the weather turns ugly. Instead of having to take off your PFD and change gear, you simply pull the storm cag over everything you're already wearing. There's a hood for your head and the hem fits around your cockpit just like a spray skirt. In effect, it's a spray skirt for your whole upper body. Some of our guides also use storm cags as windbreakers during chilly lunch stops.
Compass
Every serious paddler should have a compass because every serious paddler has learned that you can't always see what you're aiming at. Over a long pull being off course by just ten or fifteen degrees can mean miles of extra paddling. Some kayak manufacturers will build in a compass recess. The P70 compass for these recesses cost about $100. A good strap-on compass is only about $50 and hand-held compasses you can use to plot courses on a chart are even less.
Repair Kit
The idea is to carry as little as possible that will cover the greatest number of situations. Here are some of the items we carry: Duct tape makes an adequate temporary patch for small holes. Wire ties and strong thin line, like parachute cord, are enough to replace almost any broken fitting. A multi-tool.
