Packing for Kayak Camping and Expeditions

The key to having amazing paddling adventures is being able to get all your gear into your kayak. You have to be able to pack your kayak efficiently.
This week, that is what we are working on!
I created a 16 page PDF with hundreds of tips for playing and working in the outdoors! They are called The Guides Way and you can get them here. ko-fi.com/adventureotaku/shop
You can get my gear list and float plan (AND STICKERS!) here ko-fi.com/adventureotaku/shop
If you like this content you can support me by buying me a coffee, right here. ko-fi.com/adventureotaku
The Gear I use:
Kayak - Delta Seventeen - tinyurl.com/bd6p26zx
Paddle - Werner Camano -
Paddle - Werner Kalliste - bit.ly/3L7GPCD
PFD - Astral Greenjacket - bit.ly/3mF0RKI
Drysuit - Kokatat Gore-tex Meridian - bit.ly/3JkUoMH
Personal Locator Beacon - ACR Resqlink - bit.ly/3L7wHtG
If you need help getting started paddling or backpacking, check out my books on Amazon and Apple Books. tinyurl.com/r79u9mnd
The Simple Guide to Kayak Camping - tinyurl.com/bd5x2d29
The Simple Guide to Kayaking - tinyurl.com/yzm9dwye
GO! - the trip planning book -tinyurl.com/mrxa6vxy
The Simple Guide to Backpacking - tinyurl.com/mws2t92k
The Simple Guide to SUP - tinyurl.com/26y3m82d
The Adventure Journal - tinyurl.com/s8sefaw6
All my books for iPAd - tinyurl.com/aya5pc3j
My Most Popular Videos:
Choosing a kayak - Length Matters - • Choosing a kayak - len...
Choosing a kayak - Understanding rocker - • Choosing a Kayak Und...
3 season VS 4 season tents - • 3 season vs 4 season t...
First Aid Kits - • NOLS Wilderness First ...
Paddling in High Winds - • Kayak Instructor Life:...
KOA Campgrounds - • Now I understand KOA c...
Kayaking Skills Videos
Packing your kayak - • Packing for Kayak Camp...
Edging your kayak - • Edging your Kayak - Fo...
Turning a long Kayak - • Turning A Long Kayak*
Mastering the Forward Stroke - • Mastering the Kayak Fo...
Teaching the Forward Stroke - • Kayak Instructor Life ...
Tips for the outdoors:
Ten tips for Sea kayakers - • 10 Tips for Sea Kayakers
Ten more! - • 10 MORE kayaking tips!
The Ten Essentials - • The Ten Essentials For...
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on Instagram / adventure.otaku
The Adventure Otaku Theme was composed and performed by IainB - and you can get it on Bandcamp - iainb.bandcamp.com
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[@maryhenry3257]

I paddle a 14 foot Delta; the relatively wide beam dimension lets me store lots for camp trips. I pack using the small bag method, I find it more efficient (more gear). Portaging would make small bags a nuisance, but my secret weapon is IKEA bags - so light yet strong, small bags go in fast, I can wear the IKEA bag on my back, keep hands free.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I hate to break it to you. It may be your secret weapon, but it’s no secret. IKEA bags are very common for getting gear from the shoreline to camp. I have one, but never use it, I prefer the mesh duffels. My complaint with ikea bags is that the tops are open and they are noisy. But you certainly can’t beat the price.

[@dave.in.oregon]

And when all is packed out... there's always room for whiskey to share with friends. No judgement at all. :) Great video again.

[@AdventureOtaku]

There is always room for whiskey.

[@tommycheshire5508]

You are such a good instructor, without any doubt.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I appreciate that Tommy! Thanks so much!

[@franklacey5054]

Nice job! For a 9 day kayak trip, I decided to fashion a set of bow and stern bags out of mesh and ripstop nylon. (Note: my sewing skills are absolutely terrible, so this process took forever and I ruined a fair bit of material before I got two workable bags!!) I was able to custom fit them to my old 17’ Perception (Aquaterra) Sea Lion. The beauty of it was that I could shove as much stuff into the bow and stern as I wanted, making use of all available space-without having to worry about reaching in to get it when we got to camp! I just pulled them out of the hatch.. Done. I found I could even shove the tent fly and other gear in without a stuffsack, thus making use of all available space. I sewed a drawstring onto the open end to make it even simpler. My kayak buddies were quite jealous. 😁 If you want to make your own, take measurements from your boat to create a triangular pyramid, essentially a three-sided cone, from about the middle of your hatch to the end of the boat. At the pointed end, join the panels to a small triangle of ripstop nylon, then hem the panels together with a length of nylon to create strength and structural integrity, in a U shape around the mesh, the length of the seam. Create another U shaped hem around the opening of the bag, with one or two reinforced openings for your drawcord. One more tip: do your sewing when everyone else is away from the house, as you will loudly swear at your sewing machine often. 😊 If you do wind up trying this, put it in a video and get the word out. Maybe some manufacturers will pick up the idea. Cheers! (And Lagavulin is a requirement on any serious trip, amirite?)

[@AdventureOtaku]

These should just exist. We shouldn’t have to be breaking out the sewing machine.

[@franklacey5054]

@@AdventureOtaku , at the very least, they could be options provided by the manufacturers. The boats themselves aren’t big profit drivers: it’s the accessories that have the high margins.

[@mamterilleq]

I’m new to kayaking, this video was awesome and very helpful for me. Thank you! Tell the pups I said hello from south west Alaska! 😅

[@AdventureOtaku]

South WEST Alaska! That is one I don't hear that often. Like Kodiak?

[@Trapster99]

Bravo! This is just the tutorial I was looking for. A no nonsense, full logic way to pack my boat correctly. Thanks for the advice to pack the boat while it is in the water. I head out to the islands off the Norwalk CT harbor, where there are official camp sites very soon.

[@AdventureOtaku]

My pleasure. GLad you got something out of it. Have a great trip, those are (believe it or not) my home waters. I grew up on Long Island, and spent a lot of time on the sound. Actually pretty much directly opposite from Norwalk, in Port Jefferson.

[@louisfbrooks]

I like to have dedicated bags as well and I usually color code mine. Red for first aid and personal care, Green for cook kit and bowel, White bear bag for food, grey cuben fiber dry bags for clothes and sleep system, etc. Makes it easier to find in a hurry and when packing up to ensure I have everything. (Just count the bags) You should feature the pups more often.

[@AdventureOtaku]

I sort of do this… but I am not good at it. My food bags are all the same brand and color. But really beyond that… I’m not too good at it. I was curious what the effect of the dogs would be, Eloise caused me to re-shoot a few things, they can be a bit of work….thanks for coming by!

[@louisfbrooks]

@@AdventureOtaku When I first started long distance backpacking I developed this system because I was always forgetting or losing things. It keeps me organized. Though I will admit that by the end of a long trip stuff is not always in the right bag.

[@AdventureOtaku]

On the inside passage I left a pair of pogies on a log… I looked for them for days before I realized where they were. We didn’t go back. Yeah, I definitely have systems, but In general I am not that organized. But usually I am good about walking through camp before leaving and making sure nothing is there… except for the ponies of course.

[@kayasper6081]

Thanks for your video, I am looking forward to do another trip again. Enjoy your coffee!

[@VC30577]

Love this video. Very informative. Thank you sir!

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thank you Victor! Reach out if you have questions.

[@CRICRICTH]

❤

[@AdventureOtaku]

Glad you liked it, thanks for stopping by!

[@paulchevrier9961]

Another great video, thank you. I have several friends who paddle Delta kayaks and it's amazing how much room is in the hatches for storing camping gear.

[@AdventureOtaku]

YES! An amazing amount of storage. my seventeen will hold 30 days of food and fuel.

[@ThePoacher1969]

superb vid and a stunning dog

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks Andy! She’s a good girl when she isn’t being a monster.

[@BladePressure]

Take the tent poles out of the bag

[@AdventureOtaku]

ya know, I come and go on this one. I generally keep them in the bag for a couple of reasons. 1) they stay more compact - you don't get the two random pole sections that decide to become one, its easier to grab them out of the bow or stern because you can grab the bag 2) they don't get as much sand and other grit on them, which can shorten a pole (and the shock cords) life. But tell me whey you remove them from the bag? I just find it easier, but my motto is "find what works for you, and do it"

[@iviewthetube]

Spot on. I first load the camping chair right beside the skeg just in case anything else can be left behind.

[@AdventureOtaku]

It’s all about priorities! Thanks for stopping by.

[@DominiqueB]

ah! I like to pack my chair _last_, so it can be the first thing i take out. Nice either for a leisurely lunch break, or at the end of the day, for a bit of a break before unloading and setting up camp. :-) Yup - priorities. (-:

[@Usonian7]

Whiskey... judge? I just found out i liked you even more 😂

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks!

[@inyanmila6064]

Some guys don't put cookware or metal stuff in the bow hatch if they sport a compass on the deck. Not sure if that's being oversensitive or not...

[@AdventureOtaku]

This is a great comment. I normally have a deck compass, but mine died a few years ago and I haven’t replaced it. I really do miss it though. To affect the compass the metal would have to be directly under it, and I can attest to this by experience. I once had my pot set directly under my compass and it took me more time than I care to admit to figure out what the problem was. Also keep in mind aluminum or other non-magnetic metals (stainless comes to mind) shouldn’t affect your compass, so tent poles and most cook sets shouldn’t be a problem. If you have read my books you know I am a big fan of the “test pack.” This would be a great thing to test.

[@kayasper6081]

That defenitely is something to keep in mind, sometimes even from a distance the compass fails because of metal objects in the compartment. My packing stragety starts there.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Other than that one experience it really hasn’t been an issue for me. Also keep in mind comparatively few people use a deck compass. But as I say all the time, at the end of the day it’s about finding a system that works for you.

[@CarlosDiaz-fj5kj]

... I completely enjoyed your video, thanks. But having your dog in it and watching it was a lot of fun... I love dogs! Can't help it.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching! That’s Eloise, she is a good girl except for when she is being bad… but I love her.

[@gam3rkid954]

Another fabulous video, TY. Any chance you’ll do a rundown of your gear? Your kitchen set you packed in front of bow, the ‘contact tow rope’ I’m curious about, etc…?

[@AdventureOtaku]

I did a video called whats in my kayak, but I made it so long ago I don’t remember what it covered…. Tomorrow I leave for Alaska, but I will add to the list of videos to make a whats in my kayak II. Thanks for the idea.

[@gam3rkid954]

@@AdventureOtaku Safe journeys and looking forward to more of your informative videos.

[@JennyBroadbridge]

This was such a useful tutorial! Im going on my first expedition next summer and I’ve taken sick many useful tips from this video. I’m curious, what do you put into your repair kit?

[@AdventureOtaku]

Sorry for the late response Jenn, I was on the road. The repair kit is a great question, I should do a video! It varies person to person and trip to trip, but in general. A multi tool. An expedition service kit for my MSR whisperlite, Plastic weld for boat repairs, a tent pole splint, patch kit for sleeping bags/pads/jackets a few feet of duct tape… I think that may be it…

[@khelben1979]

I agree with you about having too many small bags. It can be difficult to find what you're looking for and unless you're going off for a really long trip, I don't think it's a problem. What might be a problem would be if you exceed the max limit in weight, but you'll notice it once you're in the water.. :)

[@AdventureOtaku]

Yeah, I have to say, a lot of really talented expedition paddlers really push the small bag thing. I cannot make it work, I spend half my time looking for things. And re the weight thing - and I have never had this occur even on 30 day trips! - its another good reason to pack your boat floating. Thanks for watching.

[@billmilstead1473]

What kind of dry bags should you get? There are so many out there with different terminology, material, quality, etcetera. It's there anyway you could break down what to go for and what to shy away from?

[@AdventureOtaku]

Love this idea I will make a video! Thanks!

[@fl5966]

I know this is an old video, but I'm watching and taking notes (fantastic video for how to pack), and was trying to find the bowl with the screw top lid that you eat out of. Any idea the brand or how to find one? Love the idea, looks amazing for this purpose.

[@AdventureOtaku]

That is the gsi fair share mug. I think the current version doesn’t have the handle

[@fl5966]

@@AdventureOtaku Thank you so much for the reply. I'm stuck at home recovering from an eye surgery so to keep my sanity, I'm going back to your older videos to gain as much knowledge as I can. Again, thank you for putting out wonderful content for us kayakers.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Thanks for watching. Heal fast!

[@beckettstremler]

Just had a question. I just bought a delta 17 this past summer and the seat makes a squeaking sound with every stroke. Was wondering if you have any idea what could be causing this. Thanks

[@AdventureOtaku]

One of my deltas did this for a little while…. I cant say exactly where but somewhere the edge of the seat is rubbing on the hull. It will stop. If it is going to drive you crazy there are a few things you could do. The seat slides out pretty easily. Take it out and see if you can see on the hull where it is rubbing, it might leave a mark. My gut says it wont though. I would probably rub down the edge of the seat with a cloth with some vegetable oil on it. If that doesn’t work I would repeat the process but give it a very light sanding with some sand paper. If that doesn’t work call delta and see if they have a suggestion.

[@beckettstremler]

@@AdventureOtaku thanks for the reply. I will try those tips.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Good luck!

[@theowenssailingdiary5239]

Every hiker is cringing at the weight.. Haha.. Sure not skimping on gear

[@AdventureOtaku]

Well as I said this was gear for a month on the inside passage, unsupported. So yeah, it haas to cover a lot of contingencies. BUT, yeah paddlers don’t care about weight. Reason num 397 why backpackers should try paddling.

[@ron9543]

The links to your books are broken.

[@AdventureOtaku]

Hey! Sorry about that. Try this. tinyurl.com/7mkybz43