On reading this list, some people will think I'm crazy - way too much stuff! I used to think the same way. I'd go out in a canoe with a cheap PFD laying on the bottom of the boat, no water clothes or emergency gear of any kind, wearing blue jeans and high-top, leather workboots. Good plan for a drowning. No hat, sunscreen, water - nothing. Looking back, I was probably OK most of the time as I wasn't on moving water nor was I surrounded by drunks in power boats. I was single as well and responsible only for myself.

Now I'm married with kids. I also paddle on less protected water. When I'm out paddling and camping, I need to come back relatively undamaged.

The safety items on this list are by no means complete. There is more to add to be prepared for anything. I'm learning.
If you'd like to learn more about preparedness, go to Equipped to Survive. It covers just about everything.

To build and launch the Kodiak
Hull bag - 35 lbs
- boat skin (hull)
- cross frames (5)
- cockpit nose piece
- flotation bags (Folbot)
- seat
- spray deck and skirt
- bilge pump
- paddle float
- boat cover

Frame bag - 35 lbs
- long frames (8)
- washboards (coamings - 2)
- rudder
- rudder pedals
- spare paddle (Folbot)

Miscellany bag - 5 lbs
- rudder rest
- duck
- bailing bucket
- sponges
- extra line & biners
- silicone spray

Paddle bag - 12 lbs
- SRS paddle
- Bending Branches paddle
- canoe paddle (a Carlisle beater)
- Gustbuster umbrella for "sailing"

Once the boat is assembled & floating, I've got a 55 lb boat. Now I start loading it with all my stuff - and this is for day paddling. Camping adds much more.

I will confess to being a tool geek as well. Most of my working life has depended on good tools and I don't feel I can go anywhere without at least the minimum - a Leatherman. I wear one on my belt at all times. You'll see lots of tools on my packing list.

Mesh duffle - general paddling & safety stuff - 15 lbs
I wear about half of this stuff and the rest goes in the boat, close to hand.
- PFD (Extrasport Retroglide) with

Mounted on front:
- knife - Gerber River Shorty
- whistle
And these in the pocket:
- multitool - Leatherman PST
- survival kit - Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
- space blanket - AMK Heatsheet

- water boots (NRS) & polypropalene socks
- paddling gloves (NRS)
- sunblock (Banana Boat) & bug spray
- paddle jacket (NRS Ultraight Zip)
- hydration kit (MSR/Platypus)
- first aid kit (Folbot)
- boat repair kit (Folbot)
- extra water
- underwater housing for camera (Canon A650is)
- binoculars

Dry bag - general utility stuff - 5 lbs
- glasses, sunglasses & strap
- tools - Leatherman Super, hammer multitool, magnifier glasses
- dry bag for wallet, keys, Palm, Jitterbug cell phone, etc
- dry bag for weather radio, flashlights, batteries, etc.
- compass
- Puffs for my nose (allergies)
- towel
- extra socks
- flares
- general camping gear repair kit

Dump bag - 5 lbs
- sneakers & socks
- underwear - polyester shorts & tshirt
- Tshirt - long sleeve polyester
- long pants - nylon
- towel

Dry bag - Rain / Cold Weather gear - 5 lbs
- rain jacket & cap - to go over PFD
- neoprene pants (NRS)
- 0.5mm neoprene gloves (NRS Hydroskin) good for 50 degrees & sun
- 1.5mm neoprene gloves (NRS Rapid) needed for 40 degrees & no sun
- pogies (though I'll probably never use them again except in an emergency)
- socks - Damart Thermolactyl
- long sleeve top
- fleese blanket
- cheap emergency rain poncho

Other Stuff
Folbot kayaks - Camping - Willys Jeep - Leatherman - Knives - Biking - Daisy BB guns -
the Horn - Music - Books -
Computers - Heathkits - Hopi silver work - China -

Opinion (for what it's worth)
Vacation Evaluations - Rants - Ludite Chronicles -

Miscellaneous
Wreck - Airbus A380 at O'Hare - Chicago Floods 2008 -

Home

29jly09