What's the weight limit for gear you pack?

[thecampingman]

My budddy I'm going camping with is over 200# in a 275# "maximum load limit" kayak. I figure he'll be lucky to carry his own food. He already looks like a partially submerged submarine. And he's already sunk it once, ducking a mangrove branch. And that was with it empty!

I'm 170# in a 17' Necky Chatham (no weight limit stated).

At what point should I just start leaving stuff home? What are the perils of taking too much stuff? Swamping the boat? Having it paddle like you're dragging an anchor? Can't paddle in water that isn't mirror smooth?

What are my options? I've already ordered a spray skirt (for me). Does the big guy need one too?

I'm prettty much clueless on loading (or possibly overloading) a kayak.
Any advise or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[keith]

All of the things you mentioned are potential perils of overpacking a kayak. It will be sluggish and ride low, making it harder to paddle through shallow water. I would expect the Chatham 17 should have a capacity of about 350 pounds, so you can carry a little more than your share and let your buddy travel a little light. Pack the heaviest stuff on the bottom of the boat (e.g., tent) for ballast and try to minimize the amount of stuff that is strapped to the deck. Put all of your clothes and your sleeping bag in dry bags (preferably real dry bags (http://www.kayakreview.org/go/drybags/) and not just garbage bags) in case you do get water in the boat. It's easier to pack numerous small dry bags rather than a few large ones. While the hatches may keep the water out, don't trust your comfort to that. If you get your spare clothes or sleeping bag wet, your nice camping trip turns into a survival trip. Regarding how much stuff to take, just use your common sense. For example, bring a small backpacking stove instead of a two-burner car camping stove. Pack the boats at home at least a couple of days before the trip so you'll know where everything is going to go, then unpack them for the drive and repack them at the put-in. Having a spray skirt is always wise. You don't have to wear it if the water is calm and the sun is shining but it's smart to have one with you. Have fun!

[thecampingman]

Keith, Thanks for the info and the link to dry bags. I don't have any....yet. It looks like I'll need several of them. And a spray skirt for the Current Designs Kestrel. It has a big cockpit (17.5"x37") so it's kind of hard to find one to fit. I'm thinking just a nylon one with a drawstring waist for touring/camping. Do you thing that would be sufficient?
Thanks again.
Dave

[keith]

A nylon spray skirt is often fine for touring. They don't hold as tight to the cockpit coaming as do spray skirts with neoprene decks so a nylon skirt can slip off if you have a wave crash right on the skirt. But if you're not launching through surf (or you are and you're good at timing the waves), you'll probably be fine with a nylon spray skirt. Have fun and keep us posted on your adventures!

[thecampingman]

Keith, Thanks again. The spray skirt I'd ordered for the Necky arrived. It has neoprene around the area that bungees to the kayak. It fits well and really grips the lip of the kayak. So I ordered a similar one for the Kestrel from Sierra Trading Post. They have some they're closing out. They had a good price on some dry bags too. So I ordered two, and a waterproof bag for food. All for $100.
I've measured and checked and ordered bags that I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to cram into the hatches with the sleeping bags inside. I have a couple of 5# bags so they're pretty fat. (10" in diameter rolled up in their stuff sacks.)
I'm really close to heading out. I appreciate your help.

[keith]

Dave, you're very welcome. Sounds like you scored some good deals and it's great that the spay skirt has some neoprene for security. BTW, if you have trouble getting the sleeping bag stuff sacks into the dry bags, just try stuffing the sleeping bags directly into the dry bags. Sometimes that's easier, although it can be a little awkward closing the dry bag. Compression stuff sacks (http://www.kayakreview.org/go/compression-stuff-sacks/) can be a real help when trying to fit sleeping bags into dry bags. Some of them even claim to be waterproof but I'm skeptical that they would really keep the contents dry if the bag was in water for any extended period of time. Have a great time and share some pictures!

[kayak karl]

i backpacked 1200 miles last year. it taught me how to lower my gear weight. in the winter (w/o water), gear and 5 days food is 35 lb. in spring 30 lb. this includes food, clothing, shelter, bag and cooking gear and all misc. this is not including my kayak gear ie: extra paddle, pump, emergency stuff etc.
the point I'm trying to make is check out backpacking sites to lower gear weight. like

http://www.whiteblaze.net/
http://www.trailplace.com/forums/index.php
http://www.hammockforums.net/

[kayakmag]

Karl,

Welcome back to the paddling community, have not seen you online in awhile. Thanks for sharing the information for our community.

Regards,

[onicroster]

One can add a 12 pack soft side cooler, and substitute the backpack for two or three good dry bags. A few things should be considered, such as poly sleeping bags rather than down because of moisture resistance and extra towel and rescue rope. The typical spray skirt, paddle, and life vest is standard. The boat pictured is a blackwater 10.5, a smaller 225# capacity boat. The pack weighed 27# before food and water. Paddler, 150#, combined weight was below the capacity, recommended!

[alimanzoor35]

Its sounds good to me a lot.
____________________
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[Nutkins]

Great thread with plenty of information, Thanks guys.