Packing a kayak

[coldfeet]

Seems like the hatches are pretty small to stuff a synthetic sleeping bag into it....I tried searching on paddling.net and here to find out what others do...I know the down bags compress better but I'm not in the market for that...I do have a fleece roll up bag that could fit nicely but it's not to warm...just curious what others do?....thx..

 

[Jay H]

Have you tried using a compression sack to stuff the synth bag even further?

Worst case scenario, do you have room in the kayak behind your footbegs in the cockpit? there is limited storage in my 14' one but it can be utilized and surely, it should fit in your cockpit's hatch. My rear hatch is ovalized so I stuff my medium sized drybag in it but I have down bags.

Jay

 

[coldfeet]

Thx Jay, as usual I didn't try hard enough to search this topic...looking on paddling.net now....I was looking at their trips section for the answer...also my boat doesn't have a serial # on it...it has the word "Demo" etched on the top side...

 

[spider solo]

Mostly I'm always trying to pack things with rounded shapes or things that reduce in size as they are used. Dromadry water bags as opposed to water bottles...stuff like that.

Sleeping pads that roll up as oppossed to the sq accordian styles that are on the market.

I separate the tent from the poles..you can squish the tent, but the poles are unforgiving. They get special care not to bend or distort them.

I tend to leave a little "play" even when using dry bag compression sacks.. I'll roll it down tight to get the air out, seal it tight then unroll it a little so the contents can move about as you try to fit it through the hatches...often the hardest part of packing.

I'm not familar with your boat, but every thing goes into water proof bags even if it is just double bagging them with trash bags.

I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.
Have fun !

 

[cbcbd]

Like spider mentioned... everything goes in a dry bag. I have tight storage and small hatches so I put my dry bag in there first and then stuff things in it.

As far as sleeping bag... fortunately my summer sleeping bag packs pretty small - to the size of a Nalgene, and it's synthetic. I don't see a problem using a down bag as long as you're dry bagging it.

I don't camp out and kayak when it's cold, so I can get by with my 35 degree. I don't think I could stuff my warmer down bags into my hatch.

It's all about being creative and going light!

 

[Jay H]

Yeah, I've never thought of bringing the -20deg bag and kayaking.

However, another option I didn't mention is using a smaller warmer related bag and then perhaps using a liner to increase insulation.

Jay

 

[IndianChris]

CF,
I have a zero bag that I packed into the small hatch just behind the cockpit for a trip to Long Lake back during Thanksgiving. It fit nicely with just a little extra room for some rope. I lined the inside of the hatch with a plastic bag and then stuffed the sleeping bag into that and tied it closed...hatch cover on top of it all. The sleeping bag I have is kinda old but still works well...some of its fluffy-ness has been lost which probably makes it easier to stuff. Go for that hatch just behind the cockpit. I find the plastic bag takes up less room that a drybag and still works great.

The front and back hatches were used for everything else. I didn't put anything inside the cockpit itself.

 

[cbcbd]

IC, you can fit a 0 degree bag in your day hatch? Man, that's gotta be some small bag or some big day hatch... more like a weekend hatch

 

[IndianChris]

It was the only hatch that didn't have beer or steak in it at the time

 

[cbcbd]

It was the only hatch that didn't have beer or steak in it at the time

What can I say... sometimes sacrifieces have to be made... hopefully you found room for TP in the kayak

 

[Rick]

Sounds like we need a paddling overnight trip at Round Valley reservoir in NJ!!!!
PS Summer is hanging time!! www.hammockforums.com

 

[coldfeet]

Rick, that's exactly what I had in mind!

After further review (sounds like football), I was able to stuff my NF20F into the rear hatch...

IC..I do like the idea of using the garbage bag as a liner first..then the steak...

 

[KayakDan]

Try using trash compactor bags. They are bulletproof,and reusable.
A note of caution. Anything inside the cockpit,particullarly near the foot pedals should be bungeed into place so they can't get loose if you tip over.

 

[daxs]

Some good info here. I will be overnighting down in Assteague in April. I have never packed a kayak for an overnighter so its going to be a learning experience.

 

[coldfeet]

Carol, that sounds familiar, is that where the horses are on an island?...Maryland?...if not, my fault...it's early...guess you still need a drysuit at that time?

 

[daxs]

Yup, its in Maryland where the ponies are. I do not have a full dry suit but I have a top. We are just going for an overnighter.

 

[coldfeet]

Carol...very cool....the club I joined went there last November....they took some nice pics...maybe next year I will be able to go with them....have fun

 

[Stan]

Nice part about kayak camping is that you can pack lots of stuff that you might leave behind to save weight on a backpack. I organize gear and food into clear watertight stuff sacks which I possess in a variety of sizes. I try to stow the heavier gear below deck to keep the center of gravity low; otherwise, I lash gear to the deck.

I agree that some hatches are so small that there doesn't seem like it's possible to store anything in there ... 'cept maybe fill it with ice and beer ... but seriously, that is a consideration when buying or renting a boat.

 

[mudhook51]

David, when I first switched from canoe to kayak I just kept wadding stuff in until the truck was empty, then couldn't pick it up and get it into the water. Since then , I have learned differently. I manage my 0*syn bag in my 12' 6" pungo along with everything else for a mid Oct, 3 or 4 day adk affair.
Like hiking, you learn what and what not to bring. Sometimes I feel more like Huck Finn on a raft, than Nanook in his Kayak.

 

[coldfeet]

Jim that sounds like a nice trip, one day i'd like to try that........I'm doing well on my diet.....down 10.5lbs ....and I'm eating what I want....just straight will power...trying to get the load lighter to help the knees and back ....it took 25 years to gain the weight, now I need to dump it.....be well...60F tomorrow