I’ve been kayaking since 1992, and it was a paddling week in the Adirondacks that launched me on the convoluted Microship project. That expedition never quite materialized, but my love for kayaking has remained… I had lots of adventures with the geeked-out Bubba at left, and there’s an inflatable Hobie with pedal drive aboard Nomadness. It’s still my favorite way to play on the water.
Over the years, a few ideas have emerged from this passion, and having a good friend who spent 20 years designing products for a high-tech outdoor gear company turned some of them into reality. We’ve been selling these items from the Technomadic Designs website for many years now, and it’s only fitting that I incorporate them into this Emporium of Nautical Gizmology.
Mesh Slings for Homebrew Kayak Stands - $27.50 → 
This has been our most popular kayaking item, since it saves a bundle of money with a little simple DIY. If you don’t mind cutting a few pieces of PVC tubing from your local home-improvement store, these slings yield effective kayak stands. The polyester mesh prevents trapping moisture against the hull (growth), and it readily adapts to any shape (preventing stresses that can lead to deformation in hot weather).
There is a page of assembly instructions, and you can either copy the idea and sew your own, or buy ours… it’s an easy decision unless you are already set up with suitable materials and an industrial sewing machine. With commercial stands costing over $100, this is a quick and easy alternative that has worked well for hundreds of fellow kayakers. (When you order quantity 1, you receive a PAIR of slings, needed for the two stands that support one kayak. The PVC and hardware you need to acquire locally.)
The photo at right shows the kayak upside-down, to prevent it filling up with water, but most folks keep them right-side up. Either is fine.
Foam Core Kayak Paddle Bags - $37.50 →
Pamper your paddles between layers of durable and highly abrasion-resistant coated nylon fabric that completely encapsulates a closed-cell foam core. With high-tech paddles now costing upwards of $300, it makes good sense to invest in a layer of protection to prevent the chips and scratches that can easily occur during storage, transport, and portage.
The bag has two separate compartments, separating the blades with a padded divider sheathed in a contrasting color. A tethered foam-lined end cap protects the delicate ferrules and keeps the paddles snugly seated in their nests. The closed-cell core does not soak up water, and provides a little bit of padding when you use it sitting around camp (and it is unsinkable). The bottom end and edges are reinforced internally to minimize the possibility of the blades wearing through, and the bag can be folded and stowed flat under a pile of gear, or loosely rolled around a dry bag to minimize packing overhead.
A useful feature is the carry strap: most paddle bags don’t give you a positioning choice, so it’s easy to fling it over your shoulder and have the exposed ends whacking you in the chin during a portage. Our 4-point adjustable strap has swivel hooks to prevent twisting, and can be moved from the open to the closed end to suit different carrying preferences… over the shoulder, across the back, or even suitcase-style. And, for convenience in carrying additional flat items such as nautical charts or light gloves, the bag includes an outer pocket. Note: at the moment, we only have red available (sold out of black).
Simple Elastic Paddle Tether - $5.00 →
This very simple accessory can save the day if you ever let go of your paddle… whether from a moment of carelessness or an exit/re-entry cycle. The thin shock cord is looped around any convenient deck rigging (or even your own wrist or clothing), and the end with the toggle is secured around the paddle shaft. It’s unobstrusive in use, but allows you to lay the paddle in the water if you want to take a break… or keep the gear together when things get messy.
Human Patch Kit in Sealed Case - $27.00 →
Described in more detail over on the Expedition Medical Chests page of this store, this is the smallest of our three wound-care kits at 7 x 5 x 3.5 inches. Packed in a gasketed polycarbonate box (unlike most kits that can easily leak, soak through, or get crushed), this has all the basics for the owies you’ll most likely experience on a paddling trip… small cuts, abrasions, and blisters. Designed by a nurse with 20 years of experience, the contents are the same items she would expect to reach for in the ER. This can float around in the bilge for weeks and still serve up dry bandages when you need them.
Kayaking Combo:
Slings, Paddle Bag, Tether, & Medical Kit - $93.00 →
Finally, if you’d like all of the goodies above in one easy package, this combo deal offers a little bit of savings along with the benefit of combined shipping.
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