Loading Gear in a Kayak
- Do not store large amounts of gear on the deck, even if the items are secured properly. Items mounted on the deck raise the boat’s center of gravity.
- Leave plenty of room so that your legs can enter the cockpit easily.
- Fill empty interior spaces with inflatable air bags. These help keep your gear from shifting and provide extra buoyancy if the kayak is swamped. Don’t overinflate bags on a cool morning—the bags expand as the temperature increases.
