Kayak Winter Storage

by Erik Olsen on

It happens every year at this time. Unless you live in some tropical locale (lucky you) you’re going to have to
think about putting your boat away for the winter. There are lots of thing to think about if you want the boat to last
more than a couple of seasons. This
guide offers some sensible advice on how to prep your boat for a couple of months out of the water…as
heart-breaking as that might sound.

A couple of examples, some of them obvious, some not so obvious:

1. Keep the boat out of the sun and/or away from direct UV light which can damage it

2. Do not place black plastic over the hull. Waterproof plastic may encourage condensation and cause the gelcoat or
pigment to discolor

3. Keep the hatches open to let them air out and prevent mildew

4. Repair the gelcoat

5. Apply an ultraviolet protectant to plastics

5. For polyethelene boats, keep them away from heat

And so on. See, fairly obvious, but it is always nice to have a neat, printable little list to help you remember all
the details.

30,000 Miles for MS

by Erik Olsen on

Talk about a paddle outing.

John Latecki, whose sister has Multiple Sclerosis, is undertaking a three year,
30,000 mile canoe trip to bring attention to his sister’s disease. He started
paddling from Ohio three months ago, and will continue to paddle in rivers and on the sea in as many states as
possible, and then in places around the globe.  Latecki, from Apple Creek, Ohio (dude, did you vote?) is paddling
a boat made by Kruger Canoes in Michigan. He is really at the start this
whole grand adventure, and we’ll follow it as he progresses, as he’ll be posting photos and info about the trip.
According to our sources (you know who you are ;-)), he is in New York right now, as he preps for the next stage of his
grand adventure.

I Know What You Did Next Summer

by Erik Olsen on

Here we are, the cold is settling over our fine little country (or at least it is here in
the East), and we have just re-elected our President. I don’t know about you, but I’m already thinking about June.
Warmth and happiness. So if I were making plans for next summer to do something incredibly cool, fun and
“engaged”, I think I would consider taking one of these
kayak classes in Jackson Hole. Not only is this one of the most gorgeous places in the country, but you’d get to
learn to paddle and perfect your eskimo roll with some of the best paddlers around. Just a thought for those who like
to plan early…

Kayak – How to Pick a Boat

by Erik Olsen on


A very difficult question, one that requires a great deal of consideration about comfort,
speed, maneuverability: how to pick a good boat for yourself? Of course, it all depends on what type of paddling you’re
planning on doing, but you cannot go wrong to spend a couple of minutes browsing the

REI guide for how to pick a boat. You don’t HAVE to buy one, but the folks at REI can be trusted to provide solid
and useful information as you make such an important decision. Of course if you buy, you’re going to have to make
another difficult decision: where are you going to take it on your first trip!

Great Deals at EMS

by Erik Olsen on

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does you should take advantage.
Eastern Mountain Sports is taking 20 percent off of everything on their site. Maybe
now is the time to pick up that

new tent or a

paddle or just some fresh fleece, since the stuff you’ve been wearing for the last five years is getting nasty. I
checked around and some of the duffles and packs here would be pretty nice to have as well. Personally, I’ve been
looking for a nice camera bag that will let me carry my video
camera along with my still and posibly even a laptop. I’ve heard that

the Crumplers are good bags, but I’m still on the lookout.