Kayaking Gear

Jess Kayaking Isle of Man

By Jessica Egelnick

Buy Palm, Dagger and Ainsworth kayaking gear through Mobex. Mobex are a Manx children's charity specializing in outdoor activities for kids. All profits are ploughed straight back into Mobex.

myKAYAK is the Facebook group where you'll find many of the kayakers involved with KAYAK.im. If you are looking for a paddling partner on the Isle of Man, Paddle Buddy is a way of linking with local Manx sea kayakers, surf kayakers and river paddlers. (No. of members, 31)

Detailed wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility and tide reports for the Isle of Man all in one handy place

Spray decks come in various cockpit sizes and various waist sizes. You need to be very careful when purchasing a spray deck that you get a model and size that fits the cockpit of your boat. Asking others who have the same boat for recommendations is the best way of ensuring fit, as many decks that should fit don’t.

The waist size should be snug but comfortable. Allow for extra clothing layers in the winter, and fewer layers in the summer. The waist should not feel constrictive, but should be snug enough to keep out water. For this reason some spray decks come with adjustable waist fittings.

nylon deck, kayak Isle of Man Spray decks come in several materials, each offering a different balance of cost, ease, and effectiveness.

Nylon decks are not very water proof (photo left). They often do not form a tight seal around the cockpit, despite being adjustable. They often get swamped in surf, or come off during rolling. They are, however, adjustable at the cockpit and the waist, and are relatively inexpensive. They are generally used by clubs and centers but are never the first choice for personal kit.

Waterproof materials such as Reed’s Aquatherm and similar fuzzy rubber products provide good seals around the cockpit and keep out the vast majority of the water, even during aggressive and submerged maneuvers. Because the material is light and stretchy, these decks are easy to put on and have a bit of flexibility as to the shape and size of the deck they fit. However, they are sometimes too light and have been known to tear when used on certain boat models, or when rescues have required dragging a boat across the cockpit.

Neoprene spray decks can provide a fully waterproof seal, and when used with a good waistband on a dry suit have been noted to swell up in the heat or create a vacuum in the cold. They are tough and durable decks as well, and can easily take a lot of abuse, impact, and friction. Because the material is stiff, it is very important to get a deck that fits your boat properly. Decks should be wet before being put on, but should be sized such that it is not a great effort to stretch them around the cockpit rim. The waist section of neoprene decks can easily fit snugly enough to provide a good seal without being restrictive, and no drawstring is required at the waist. Because of this fit, this type of deck is the most effective if a dry top is not being used, such as during warm weather paddling.

Always ensure that your new spray deck can be easily removed should you need to escape your kayak. New spray decks are often stiff, and it can be a good idea to apply them to your boat a few days prior to use.

Search our database for spray skirts:

Home I Kayaking Directories I Blog I Best of the Blogs I Gallery I Links I Manx Paddle Sports I Paddle Buddy I myKAYAK I Stuff I Surf I Kayak Sailing Tasmania I Races I Norway I Non-Kayak Links I Guide I Peel I Niarbyl I Port St Mary I Port Erin I Gear I Calf Circumnavigation I Calf Sound I Tidal Race Kayaking I Wildelife I Isle of Man I Shop I News I Weather Station I Videos I Contact I Site Map