About packing the sea kayak

Make a list before you pack your kayak

Author: Frederik Laursen, November 2020

The sea kayak is a fantastic vessel, the perfect way to get out and experience nature and adventure in a sustainable way.
However, it does require some preparation and packing your sea kayak for a trip can be quite an art!
But first and foremost, it depends on what kind of trip you’re going on.
If you’re going on a day trip, packing is less complicated as you don’t need to carry as much, and if you’re going on a longer trip/expedition with overnight stays, it’s a completely different matter.
A good idea is to make a packing list before you leave.
I will reproduce a good and useful packing list that I use myself, but it should be said that some things will be very individual and there may be special requirements, both for the individual trip/expedition, which must be taken into account.

Packing list for an extended weekend trip/expedition:

Within reach/ under the daylight:
Paddle/extra paddle
Life jacket, with compass, whistle, knife,
Spray tires
Bugserline
Paddlefloat & bilge pump
Cards in waterproof case/bag
Water in a water bottle on deck
Sun hat/cap
Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
Headache pills and other emergency medication
Storm Cag
Nut mix, licorice, chocolate
Phone in waterproof case
Powerbank
Camera in your pocket
Emergency rocket
Compass on deck
In packing weeks:
Multi-day food and drinks – split into multiple waterproof bags
Thermos, cup, tea bags, instant coffee
Knife/fork/spoon/plate/cup
Small first aid kit including blister patches
Electrician tape and duct tape
Mess kit – everything you don’t wear is packed in a 20L waterproof bag in the kayak2-3 sets of extra underwear
Long sleeve rowing shirts
Short sleeve rowing shirts
Robopants (running pants)
Roja jacket
Rowing gloves if you are prone to blisters
Neoprene boots and socks, Crocs or light sandals
Equipment and clothing for camp/camping
A pair of lightweight pants
T-shirt and sweatshirt
Underwear and socks
Minimalist toiletry bag with biodegradable soap, toothbrush & paste,
Towel (synthetic or a thin one that takes up no space)
Sleeping bag in waterproof bag
Sleeping mat & pillow in waterproof bag
Flashlight torch
Charger for mobile, camera, watch, GPS

Space in the hatches

If you only row short day trips, you don’t need a kayak with a lot of hatches, and in principle you can keep your basic belongings and safety equipment in a few drybags distributed in stowage compartments and perhaps behind the backrest and sometimes also between your legs.
However, it is recommended to have all bags and belongings secured in case you accidentally fall out of your kayak.
The paddle float and bilge pump can be stored in rubber bands on the front or rear deck, but inflatable paddle float and pump can also be stored inside the cockpit, but in such a way that it does not fall out of the kayak if it capsizes.

Weight and weight distribution

Many good sea kayaks are equipped with a day hatch where necessities such as food and safety equipment can be stored.
Here, the things you use often and need to be able to get to quickly in an emergency should be easily accessible, such as a compass, glasses, sunscreen, snack, water bottle, emergency rocket, etc.
Further down in the day hatches, it’s a good idea to have a change of clothes, a larger packed lunch for the day, extra water bottle, hot water for tea/coffee, etc.
In the large stowage compartments fore and aft, it’s important to distribute the weight of gear so that it’s fairly evenly distributed in terms of weight, but also so that what you use most often is closest to the hatches and preferably in many smaller bags rather than a few larger bags.
If you’re staying overnight, you should of course bring a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, tent/tarp, etc.
You should think about getting some very lightweight gear, such as a tent weighing a maximum of 2.5 kg, a light sleeping bag and sleeping mat, etc.
It’s a good idea to stow these items at the very front and back of the kayak, and of course always in drybags!

It takes some experience to pack your kayak right and know what gear you absolutely can’t do without.
There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to go out on a lot of trips and try it out.
Often it’s an individual matter what you need, but safety equipment is something you should never compromise on!