Kayaks - Care & Maintenance
As with all other pieces of Kayaking Gear and equipment, the Kayak needs proper maintenance to ensure that it works properly every time you use it. Taking good care of your boat also preserves its color and overall look. This section covers some helpful tips on how to keep your Kayak in good condition:
- Make sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer on how to take good care of your Kayak. Some boat types may have specific needs when it comes to cleaning and repair. Boats made of Kevlar or fiberglass may need more attention compared with other boats.
- Inspect your Kayak on a regular basis. This is the best thing that you can do to ensure that your Kayaking Equipment maintains its good condition. You will be able to work on any stain, scratch, and other problems as soon as you see them and before they get worse.
- Check for wear and tear or damage in any of your boat’s components. Inspect the hull, hatches, fittings, and the cockpit area.
- Wash your Kayak regularly with mild soap and fresh water to get rid of stains. If you are into Sea Kayaking, wash your boat thoroughly including the cockpit area after every Kayaking trip in order to rinse away all salt residues. Take note that salt accumulation can corrode boat fittings, so it is essential to clean your boat on a regular basis.
- Gel-coat finishes will soon fade due to constant exposure to sun. To keep your plastic or fiberglass Kayak looking good all the time, make sure to spray it with UV protection.
- Do the necessary small repairs before the problems get a lot worse, but make sure to ask the professionals if you are in need of larger repair work.
- When transporting your boat, ensure that the roof bars are securely in place. Strap the Kayak upside down. If you are transporting two boats, place them sideways on the roof rack.
Take good care of your Kayak. With regular cleaning and inspection, you can expect optimum performance every time you go Kayaking.
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