KAYAK GEAR CHECKLIST

Hi,

Suppose this is sort of a safty issue but................

........having driven all the way to the local dam this morning only to realize I left my Hobie Mirage Dive in the shed I am at home making up a gear check list.

Does anyone have any comments on what are crucial items should not to be left behind...apart from the means of powering the vessel which is now on top of my list

Thanks
CU Glenn

PFD with the following fitted;
Torch & Glow stick,
2 x water dye tube's,
Line cutter & knife,
whistle,
mirror,
V sheet,
VHF radio,
PLB,
All accept dye, are on leashes.

In the kayak;
Pump (hand), electric bilge,
First aid kit (in dry case),
Extra water, snack bars,
SPF 30 Sun screen,
2 x smoke 2 x flash flares (I planned to change these to mini flares, to carry on pfd),
Spare rudder pins & cord,
Rear bung (my electric bilge, pumps out through the rear bung hole, carry bung in case one way valve fails),
Hat.

On deck (as I have AI),
Second knife fitted to hull,
Paddle as spare to Mirage drive (if it's a paddling kayak, you may want a spare two piece paddle in hull).

Something that might be of interest to some of you. I carry a complete change of clothes with me in this cold weather and I have it all vacuum sealed seperately in plastic bags. I then place all the bags in a mesh bag and place them in the rear hatch. I've started vacuum sealing everything I store in the kayak. It want rust and it takes up less space.

_________________
Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging

Shouldn't a refreshing libation be near the top of any list of things you take to the lake???????????
Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE

Ok Elm I had to google PLB (personal location beacon), water dye tubes (water filters),v sheet (blanket or flag you lay over your boat if you are in need of rescue). I think I have these right. Your list I'm guessing is for ocean going kayaking. My list will be a little less intense. All the places I fish in Arkansas are usually in view of someones house. My concern is having some dry clothes, plenty of water and energy snacks,a dry cell phone, small first aid kit and my gun for protection. If I start remote river running/camping my list will get a lot longer.

_________________
Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging

PLB & V sheet you have right.

OMS Dye (scroll down 5 items) http://www.omsdive.com/misc.html


Mostly I was using my AI, in a large bay, but also sometimes off shore. It was not unusual to be 5+ km from shore, but honestly, you don't have to be far from shore to get into trouble. Only a few months ago someone questioned clothes that I mentioned and said it was over the top because they only fish in a river, with a bank 100 meters away at most. 1 week later there is a news report of a kayak fisherman, almost drowned and with hypothermia saved from the very same river. Fell from his kayak, while trying to pull his anchor, in current.
As far as I am concerned, it does not matter if I am 500 meters or 5 km from shore, I need to be able to look after myself, if part of that is taken away and I need assistance. Then I will make myself seen and heard and also make it as safe and easy for my rescuers as possible, I at least owe them that, for risking themselves for me and my pleasure's.

Mind you, I am glad I do not need to carry a sidearm as well.

I didn't carry a side arm until a guy I work with was fishing with his son in a cove one night on the lake I fish and was threatened because some guy thought he was running his trot lines. It was a pretty hairy deal the guy took a swing at him and tried to enter his boat. He was later arrested. I have a concealed carry permit and I'm quite proficient with a gun.

_________________
Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging

Been there done that....
Lets see...items I've left behind at one time or another....

Mirage Drive
Fishing Pole
Life Vest
License
Phone
GPS
Livewell
Bait
Tackle Boxes
Paddle
Cooler
prolly more that I cant remember right now...


And NO, I still havent decided to make a checklist...
I'm a slow learner.

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Don't lead me to temptation, I already know the way.
Syn

Water - I carry frozen bottles of water in my cooler to keep fish cool and, should the unthinkable happen, have extra water onboard if I get marooned.

Sidearms - that's scary, fishing is meant to be fun

Fishing is fun, but some people don't play well with others. My maiden voyage I left my battery at home so I couldn't use my fishfinder. My wonderful wife drove 45 min to where I was fishing and brought me my battery. I have thought about making a list but I haven't yet. I have a tub that I put all my stuff in so I pick up my tub and go. I forgot my battery because I was charging it.

_________________
Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging

I do th same thing putting all if not most of my gear in a storage bin,mb4859 ur a lucky man my wife would've hung up th phone on me

Toilet Paper

Ah yes....better than the old reliable shirt tails isnt it?

_________________


Don't lead me to temptation, I already know the way.
Syn

What do ya'll carry for tools? In my other kayak I only carry a 3/8-7/16 open end wrench and a phillips screwdriver. With the Mirage drive I probably need a few more tools. Has anyone found a "one tool does it all"?

_________________
Mike
2015 Pro Angler 12
Yellow with Humminbird side imaging

I think in terms of kits by function stowed with thought to ease of accessibilty.

Forward hatch load in dry/floatation bags [most of what will used only on land]:
camping gear and supplies
animal hunting/foraging gear and supplies
plant and fungi hunting/foraging gear and supplies
kayak spares and tools
land maps

Middle hatch load in drybags [one to aft, two smaller to bow, plus Hobie hatch tray) [anything that may be used on the water]:
fishing gear
diving gear
sea vegetable harvesting gear
journey food and water
knife, multi-tool
personal first aid kit
Coast Guard distress signaling kit

Rear hatch load in dry/floatation bag [the rest of what will be used on land only]:

Rear deck load in drybag [emergency gear only]:
hypothermia kit [towel, clothes, self-heating food and drink, heat packs]
larger first aid kit

PFD load:
personal survival kit
personal first aid kit
personal distress signaling kit
waterproofed wallet, vehicle keys, and cell phone
safety knife
multi-tool

Deck top load:
paddle on leash
peddle on leash
if sailing, sailing gear in leashed bag
if crabbing or crawdadding: bait, hoops, and traps, lashed
local map, applicable local rules or regs, and cell information waterproofed
leashed mesh diving bag for miscellaneous