How to Maintain and Store Kayaking Equipments
Once you have made a hefty investment for your kayaking equipments, it is obvious that you have to take some steps in maintaining them for continuous and effective use. Regular maintenance of your kayaking equipment will help in heightening your kayaking pleasure.
Maintaining your kayaking equipments
Keeping the kayak and paddles clean should be your first priority. Washing them thoroughly after every use is a must. Kayaks tend to accumulate dirt on the outer shell. Dust, gravel and sand find their way to the interiors of a kayak. Thus, you should clean your kayak from the outside as well as the inside.
Similarly, if you have been sea kayaking, make sure you get the crusty salt off the surface and the interiors of the kayak, and clean the paddle blades thoroughly. Salt deposits can quickly corrode kayaking equipments, if left unattended.
Secondly, check for any damages to the kayak after a kayaking excursion. You might have to do some structural repairs before planning your next kayaking trip. Early detection of the signs of damage helps in avoiding any future mishaps. It is necessary to mend even a hair-line crack or a tiny hole as they can create problems.
To check for dents or cracks on the kayak or the paddles, simply run your hand smoothly over the surface. In case of further doubts regarding your kayak, keep it in a dark location and place a flashlight inside the cockpit. Place a cover over the top of the kayak to enclose the light. Now inspect the kayak from all the sides. If no light is visible, a simple paint touch-up will suffice. If light has escaped through the body of your kayak, it is time to seek some professional help for the necessary repairs.
Kayak equipments are best repaired by professionals. However, in case you have to mend a small crack, you have to remember certain things. For any repair session of your equipment, make sure the part you work on is extremely dry. Learn basic repairing procedures and keep in handy sandpapers, duct tapes, epoxy adhesives to avoid frequenting the repair shop after every kayaking trip.
Storing your kayaking equipments
Kayaking equipments must be stored in dry places. After the clean up procedure, allow them to dry properly before storing them inside. Kayaks stored out in open, over a period of time will become less useful, both cosmetically and functionally. Direct sunlight will not only fade your kayak, but will also structurally warp it. To avoid dampness to your equipments, keep them in bags or cover them with plastic. Dry bags are easily available to store Folding and Inflatable kayaks. Paddle bags are also great options to store your paddles.
Finally, while storing, do not load a pile on your kayak as it may permanently damage the kayak structure.
Maintaining your equipments on a regular basis and storing them in the right way will keep them conditioned for an extended use. These small careful steps can keep your equipments well maintained, and make your investments worthwhile.
References:
http://www.paddledognation.com