How I Pack My Sea Kayak

Рет қаралды 6,368

Күн бұрын

Here is a long promised video about how I pack all my kit into my Big Pond Kayaks ‘Mannta’ sea kayak. I filmed this on the penultimate day of my year long sea kayaking journey around Scotland.

Пікірлер: 58

@CarolFox-ut2fg 6 ай бұрын

WOW I’ve never seakayaked. I’m 74 and just getting my “Jump into life attitude” ... a very late bloomer ha ha. Currently kayaking creeks and rivers in my Prijon Marlin. I live opposite the ocean in Australia. YOU are inspiring ... WOW. I loved the whisky and your strength to hoist that kayak onto your shoulder...and your stamina. WOW!

@NickRayLifeAfloat 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much Carol! I believe we are never too old to explore and be curious about what’s possible. Very best wishes to you.

@simonablokeinthewoods 8 ай бұрын

That was fascinating Nick! Like you, I get a huge satisfaction about packing everything away in its place - everything has its place, it’s bag, it’s security - even more important when packing a kayak! Thank you!

@iviewthetube 8 ай бұрын

Who would ever thought that IKEA bags would become kayaker's number one choice for carrying gear.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

They’re just right!

@juub 8 ай бұрын

Thanks. Interesting to see the complete packing of the boat. I was twitching and scratching at the thought of the midges. 😱

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you too and ha ha, the midges were irritating!

@BushkayakersAustralia 4 ай бұрын

Nice one , Packing kayaks is like playing Tetris. I just upgraded my kayaks I love how much stuff i can fit in them now, its like i am cheating at Tetris now 😀

@NickRayLifeAfloat 4 ай бұрын

Thank you. Funny thing is, despite knowing it'll all fit in, there are still moments when I worry it won't. All the best.

@hugoed3740 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Nick, that was fascinating to see how and where you put all your gear in Rwendo, your kayak is a proverbial Tardis! I am in awe that you packed and unpacked in all weathers for the whole Scotland 365 trip. I exhausted just watching this; I bet some days were not as straightforward as the day of the video.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Hugo. Yes, there were occasions when it was though to motivate myself to carry everything to and from the boat. Usually at the end of the day when the weather was really challenging.

@Class1Adventures 5 ай бұрын

Just found your channel. Excellent videos. I'm starting to sea kayak in 24. So these videos are fantastic. This one especially. As I was wondering about packing. Look forward to watching all of your others. Cheers Peter.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 5 ай бұрын

Hi Peter, thank you for finding me and for your kind comment. Wishing you happy paddles for the new year.

@MrEStreaming 6 ай бұрын

Thank you Nick! Best pack video I’ve ever seen! Appreciate your process. Cheers and paddle well!

@NickRayLifeAfloat 6 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you! That's great for me to hear. Best wishes to you.

@iviewthetube 8 ай бұрын

I've grown fond of the bow bag. I put all of my sleepware and changes of clothing in it. The tapered end fits perfectly in the bow all in one go.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Yes, I used to have one of those too. Now I find I’m using the ends for fuel bottles and sleeping mat.

@iviewthetube 8 ай бұрын

@@NickRayLifeAfloat You can also use the ends of the stern or the bow to store the most vital piece of camping gear -- the camping chair.

@hazelrodgers4896 8 ай бұрын

a Masterclass! Thank you so much for your kindness in taking time and effort in satisfying our curiosity. Every day a school day. ☺👍

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Hazel, I really enjoyed making it.

@surfbummer 2 ай бұрын

Excellent insight. Where do you pack any water? I would have thought that would be near the middle of the boat in your "electricals" section?

@ThisOldManOfTheSea 8 ай бұрын

Loved the Colonel Blimp impression 😂

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Ha ha, thank you. I’m afraid it’s my stock in trade joke whenever I talk maps with others.

@user-cc3tu1tj6d 6 ай бұрын

Hi Nick: Thanks for showing me the ropes! Even though the topic might appear trivial at first glance, it is of course not. So your experience got me important input and inspiration. Very nice video-footage too, by the way, really enjoyed it. Cheers, Andreas

@NickRayLifeAfloat 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for leaving a comment and your kind words. Packing a kayak is a personal process - we each have our favoured way of doing things. Like packing for a holiday! All the very best.

@taniareads8751 7 ай бұрын

Very interesting - I'm amazed at how much you can fit into the kayak!

@NickRayLifeAfloat 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, she's certainly a capacious kayak.

@grahamstuart4260 8 ай бұрын

Really informative!

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Graham.

@olliemuncaster 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Nick and thanks re walking boots recommendation

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you too and yes, they’re lovely boots to wear.

@rosemaryag2000 8 ай бұрын

Amazing. Thanks.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you too.

@shaneshankly4518 5 ай бұрын

Amazed at how much you can gwt in , ihave a Romany sport which has no were near as much space . I would love to know how so many days food could carried ? I would need another kayak lol

@NickRayLifeAfloat 5 ай бұрын

I tended to cater for at least eight days. This enabled me to live pretty remotely on my journey.

@karldillenkoffer4860 8 ай бұрын

Nick thank you for your amazing videos. I have throughly enjoyed them this past year. We’d all love to know what brand suction cup Action Camera mount you used for your 360 view camera. I noticed while you were filming this packing video it appeared you had a pole in some shots that appeared to have a tripod set of legs on it while you were packing your kayak. What brand was that as well. So happy you successfully made your journey home safely. You are an inspiration to all of us kayakers. ❤❤❤❤

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Hello Karl. Thank you for your lovely words. I use a GoPro suction mount which I find incredibly secure. The tripod is this Tripod for Smartphone, Lammcou Octopus Flexible Phone Tripod Small Mini Gorrila Pod with 360°Rotary Tilt Ballhead & XL Vertical and Horizontal Phone Tripod Mount for Camera Actioncam Video Recording amzn.eu/d/4UzXOn3. I hope this helps.

@mccree2003 7 ай бұрын

Hi Nick, very inspirational, I am interested in your camera. What make & model is it please. I paddle the North Devon Coast. I’m loving your trips. Nigel

@NickRayLifeAfloat 7 ай бұрын

Hello Nigel and thank you. This video was filmed on my Insta360 X3. On other videos I use a GoPro Max, also a 360 degree camera. I also have a GoPro Hero 11. Happy paddling!

@caz-nbgalatea1528 8 ай бұрын

Wow…. Very interesting. I’m gobsmacked to see how much you’ve e packed in your canoe! Love your 360 camera! What model is it please!

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Caz. It’s an Insta360 x3. It’s new to me, so I’m still getting used to it.

@jimmyjohnstone5878 8 ай бұрын

I would need a midge net to survive there. The tent looks a good size for one.

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

I lost my midge net and yes, it’s a huge tent! Incredibly spacious inside.

@berginsimondavid8924 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to go through your packing routine. Do you always bring your kayak all the way up to your campsite? Was just curious as I'm sure it would be easier to leave the kayak as close to the water without risk of losing it. Suppose it depends on the terrain and proximity to campsite. Would love to hear about this. All the best

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Hi David, thank you too. 99% of the time I’ll carry my kayak and place it by my tent for the night. It’s purely for my peace of mind. More prosaically, I feel a deep attachment to her, and I like to know she’s alongside. On a practical note, I use her to sit on, dry kit in the sun, lean my solar panels alongside her and she accentuates any photos I take of my camp. Even if the terrain is steep, I’ll carry her up from and back to the shore. Only rarely will I leave her above the highest tide mark and camp out of sight.

@berginsimondavid8924 8 ай бұрын

@@NickRayLifeAfloat Thanks Nick, you've made me think about this at a whole new level, that's brilliant. I didn't fully appreciate the connection and relationship a person can have with their kayak, especially in your case with it being your companion for your long adventures. Looking forward to hearing about your next venture 😊

@richardwathen7627 8 ай бұрын

Fantastic. One question.. where is the trolley I have seen you use when traversing a bit of land?

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Richard. Karen took it home with her when I finished traversing the canal.

@richardwathen7627 8 ай бұрын

A very impressive amount of kit, you managed to get in or on the kayak. There is something I would like to talk to you about and that's the cameras you use and how control them. Thanks

@jonfisher9214 8 ай бұрын

With the low food supplies affecting the trim of your kayak, would a spare water bladder be useful as water ballast? You could fill it with variable amounts of seawater when packing for the day?

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Jon. Usually I would pay attention to trim, but since it was my last day and the conditions were calm, I didn’t worry.

@greynick 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for that. Do you full unpack every night? For security ?

@NickRayLifeAfloat 8 ай бұрын

Thanks again. Yes, I unloaded the kayaks every night and kept all my kit in my tent. I also carried my kayak to where I camped to ensure peace of mind.