Ocean & Sea Kayaking Articles and Videos
From paddling tips and reading waves, to designing your own boat, Trails.com has the information you need to get out on the open water. Sea kayaking allows you to appreciate the serene beauty of the deep blue without a loud motor or the complication of sails, and Trails.com is overflowing with advice to inform your next adventure. Learn the different between plastic and wood kayaks, the importance of the paddle you choose, how to row a tandem kayak, how to repair neoprene, and how to pack for a multi-day trip.
California requires certain inflatable boats to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Know your watercraft and the applicable regulations.
If you already have a kayak, it is easy to turn it into a sailboat. Having a kayak with a sail can send you sailing down rivers and across lakes, all the while making it easy to navigate, especially when it is very windy outside.
Kayaking can be one of nature's most relaxing sports. Installing your own rudder can give you more control over your kayak and allow you to sail on rougher waters for longer distances.
With a few simple steps, you can take a plain piece of plywo...
Kayaking is a common recreational activity for outdoor enthusiasts. With many state parks and rivers as well as private lakes and rivers located around the world, kayakers have a variety of options when planning a kayak trip. From what you pack ...
The Ambush Kayak from Ocean Kayak is a sportsman's kayak equipped for fly fishing, duck hunting, trolling or reel fishing. This sit-on-top kayak has plenty of room to store gear, is stable enough to stand on and has a motor mount for a variety of...
When you want to stop your kayak in current, wind or any situation in which you don't want the boat to drift, a kayak anchor provides the solution. Just tossing the anchor into the water and tying its rope to your deck line puts you at risk of ca...
Loading a kayak onto the top of a car takes a good amount of strength and effort---especially when you're alone. It's even harder to load a kayak onto a truck or SUV. Loading a boat can even cause injury. Luckily, knowing a few tricks or adding a...
It's very easy to get scratches on your kayak. Every time you take it out, you run the risk of damaging it on rocks, shells or broken glass. But there are ways to repair those imperfections.
Whether it be down a river or along a coastline, kayaking is a popular water sport. However, it always seems that most of the best rivers or stretches of coastal sea for sea kayaking are always found far from home. Taking a folding kayak on a tri...
A bulkhead in a kayak seals off a section of the boat, making the sealed-off section watertight. This watertight section, when accessible via a hatch, makes a great place to store gear without the fear of the gear becoming wet. Bulkheads are also...
The behavior of light under water is of great interest to photographers---and to that great majority of aquatic organisms that depend on solar energy for survival. Light entering water may be reflected, absorbed, scattered or transmitted. In lake...
Kayaks are usually quite durable, but every once in a while they require some touch ups. Even if your kayak is not particularly scratched, you might want to paint a unique design on the hull to make it look better or make it easy to recognize. It...
Moving your kayak from your vehicle to the water can present a challenge. A kayak cart provides an easy transport option, but commercial versions can be expensive. If you're short on cash, build your own using materials you can procure from your ...
A rudder is an important component to any kayak. While often associated with turning, the rudder is actually used most often for keeping the kayak moving straight. Making your own rudder is a good idea, because a kayak's waterline determines the ...
When rubber kayak hatch covers split or crack, they must be replaced---there is no way to permanently repair a rubber hatch cover. But when out on an expedition, getting a replacement hatch cover may be impossible, so knowing how to perform a tem...
Gelcoat is the smooth outer coating on a composite kayak. It provides an attractive finish and protection to the inner composite structure. Over time, from normal use, gelcoat gets scratched and damaged. The ability to easily repair gelcoat damag...
Kayaks are an excellent way to explore waterways, as they are relatively easy to use and provide good exercise. When purchasing a kayak, choosing the proper length is essential to safety and enjoyment. Whether it's maneuvering in open ocean or pa...
There is so much to consider when determining the right type of kayak. There are different brands and features. Part of the decision is to determine between a sit on-top and a sit-in kayak.
All kayaks are subject to normal wear and tear from use, and depending on the waters you frequent, your kayak can take an extra beating. Running into rocks and even just dragging your kayak to and from launch sites can eventually wear away the ou...
It doesn't get much better than feeling a nice breeze while you sail on a beautiful lake, ocean, or body of water. What you might not know is you don't need a sailboat to do it. If you've got a Hobie kayak, you can easily add a sail to it. Afte...
If you are heading out on the water without someone to help portage your kayak, it can be a difficult task to get your kayak from the car to the launch point by yourself. A kayak cart can make this undertaking much easier, allowing you to move yo...
The best fish finders for kayaks must be light, easy to mount, waterproof and durable. Because paddlers self-propel their kayaks, any extra weight added to the kayak means more work, so lighter finders mean less work. With limited deck space, ang...
Using a kayak for fishing becomes easier if you install rod holders that keep the poles out of the way but within easy reach---freeing your hands for paddling. Rod holders easily mount on any kayak regardless the kayak's material. Although drilli...
Kayak boat trailers make hauling kayaks significantly easier than car-topping them. Not only do trailers make carrying the boat easier, but gear can be stored on the trailer's bed, which frees up space inside the car. Most commercial kayak traile...
Kayaking is an enjoyable water sport. You can kayak on lakes, rivers, rapids and even on the ocean. Expect to get wet, especially if you are paddling on white-water rapids or sea kayaking. Moisture and friction can lead to chafing if you are not ...
