What is the best way to take care of my kayak?

What is the best way to take care of my kayak?

A little routine maintenance goes a long way toward keeping a kayak in good shape for years, whether it is a hard-shell plastic boat or an inflatable. After every outing, especially in salt water, rinse the hull, seat, and any hardware with fresh water to wash away salt, sand, and grit that can wear down seals and fittings over time. Letting a kayak dry completely before storing it prevents mildew and mold from building up inside the cockpit or storage hatches.

Storage matters just as much as cleaning. Kayaks should be stored out of direct sunlight whenever possible, since UV exposure is the number one cause of plastic becoming brittle and faded over time. Store the boat on padded racks or foam blocks rather than resting it directly on the hull for long periods, which can cause warping, and avoid stacking heavy items on top of it. If you store your kayak outside, a UV-resistant cover adds real protection against sun and weather damage.

A quick inspection before each trip catches small problems before they become big ones: check the hull for cracks or soft spots, make sure hatch covers and seals are not deteriorating, and confirm that foot pegs, seat straps, and any rigging are still secure. For plastic kayaks, a UV protectant spray applied a few times a season keeps the material from fading and cracking. With just a few minutes of care after each paddle and smart storage between trips, a well-maintained kayak can easily last well over a decade.

This page has been moved to our new dedicated kayaking website:

click here to visit Kayak-101.com

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🧽 Kayak Care & Maintenance Gear

• Kayak Cleaner & UV Protectant — Keeps plastic from fading and cracking. Amazon's Choice.
• Kayak Storage Rack — Proper storage prevents hull warping. Top-rated wall and ceiling mounts.
• Kayak Repair Kit — For scratches, small cracks, and hull damage.

Full gear guide: Kayak 101.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Links above are Amazon affiliate links. Purchases support The Orange Jeep Dad blog at no extra cost to you.

How do you transport a kayak?

What to Wear Kayaking: Clothing, Shoes, and Wetsuits Explained

What you wear kayaking matters more than most beginners realize. The wrong clothing can make a fun day miserable — or in cold water, genuinely dangerous. The right gear keeps you comfortable, protected from the sun, and safe if you take an unexpected swim.

The Golden Rule: Dress for the Water, Not the Air

This is the most important principle in kayaking apparel. The air temperature might be a beautiful 75°F, but if the water is 55°F, falling in without proper layering can lead to cold shock and hypothermia in minutes. Always check the water temperature before you paddle, and dress accordingly.

What to Wear in Warm Weather (Water 70°F+)

When both the air and water are warm, you have a lot of flexibility:

• Top: A moisture-wicking, quick-dry synthetic shirt or a UPF 50+ sun shirt. Avoid cotton — it holds moisture and chafes. A lightweight long-sleeve sun shirt actually keeps you cooler than bare skin by blocking UV.
• Bottom: Board shorts or quick-dry hiking shorts. Anything that dries fast and doesn't absorb water. Avoid jeans completely — they become brutally heavy when wet.
• Footwear: Water shoes, sandals with heel straps, or neoprene booties. You need something that stays on your foot when wet and protects your feet on rocky launches and landings. Flip flops are a bad choice — they come off too easily.
• Hat and sunglasses: A wide brim sun hat and polarized sunglasses are essential on the water. Polarized lenses cut glare dramatically and help you see into the water.
• PFD: Always. No exceptions. A Coast Guard approved life jacket is required by law in most states, and it's just plain smart regardless of your swimming ability.

What to Wear in Cold Water (Under 60°F)

Cold water is where kayaking clothing becomes a safety issue, not just a comfort issue. Here's what you need:

• Wetsuit: A 3mm full wetsuit provides excellent protection down to about 50°F water. The neoprene traps a thin layer of water against your skin, which your body heats and maintains as insulation. You'll still get wet, but you won't get cold.
• Drysuit: For serious cold water paddling (below 45°F), a drysuit is the gold standard. It keeps water completely out, and you layer underneath like you would for winter hiking. Expensive, but genuinely life-saving in the right conditions.
• Neoprene gloves: Cold hands lose grip strength fast. A 2-3mm neoprene paddle glove keeps your hands functional.
• Neoprene booties: Your feet often go in the water first. Protect them with 3-5mm neoprene boots.
• Skull cap or beanie: You lose enormous amounts of heat through your head. A neoprene or wool skull cap under your helmet (if wearing one) makes a big difference.

Layering System for Spring and Fall Paddling

The transitional seasons are the trickiest. Water is cold but air might be mild. The solution is layering:

• Base layer: A thin wetsuit or rashguard directly against skin
• Mid layer: A fleece paddling jacket for insulation
• Outer layer: A paddling jacket or anorak that blocks wind and splash

The advantage of layering is you can peel off as you warm up from exertion while still being protected if you capsize into cold water.

What NOT to Wear Kayaking

• ❌ Cotton (holds water, causes chafe, takes forever to dry)
• ❌ Jeans or heavy pants (impossibly heavy when soaked)
• ❌ Flip flops (come off your feet in water)
• ❌ Heavy boots (drag you down if you capsize)
• ❌ Loose scarves or dangling accessories (snag risk)

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👕 Shop Kayaking Clothing & Gear

• UPF 50+ Quick-Dry Kayaking Shirt — Sun protection is essential on the water. Amazon's Choice in moisture-wicking kayak tops. 3,000+ reviews.
• 3mm Wetsuit for Kayaking — Dress for the water temp, not the air temp. A must for spring and fall paddling. Top-rated picks.
• Water Shoes — Protect your feet on rocky launches and river beds. Amazon's Choice picks. 10,000+ reviews.
• Palmyth UV Fishing Gloves — Amazon's Choice, 1,377 reviews. UPF 50+ fingerless paddling gloves. Excellent sun protection.
• Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket — Always the most important thing you wear on the water. Top-rated kayak PFDs with 5,000+ reviews.

Full gear guide: Kayak 101.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Links above are Amazon affiliate links. Purchases support The Orange Jeep Dad blog at no extra cost to you.

What Should I Wear When Kayaking?

What Should I Wear When Kayaking?

What you should wear on the water really comes down to the season and the water temperature more than the weather forecast. On a warm summer day with warm water, quick-dry shorts, a rash guard, and water shoes are usually enough. As the water cools in spring and fall, even if the air feels warm, a wetsuit or splash jacket becomes important since falling in cold water is far more dangerous than a chilly breeze. A simple rule many paddlers follow is checking the water temperature, not just the air temperature, before deciding what to pack.

Fabric choice matters as much as the outfit itself. Synthetic, quick-dry materials or merino wool wick moisture away from your skin and dry fast if you get splashed, while cotton stays wet and can leave you cold for the rest of the trip. Layering lets you adjust as the day warms up or a breeze picks up on the water: a light base layer, an insulating mid layer for cooler mornings, and a wind or splash resistant outer shell cover most conditions you will run into on a lake or river.

A few small accessories make a bigger difference than people expect. A hat with a chin strap keeps sun off your face without blowing away, polarized sunglasses cut glare off the water and help you spot obstacles below the surface, and fingerless paddling gloves protect against blisters on longer trips. Always finish the outfit with a properly fitted life jacket, since it is the one piece of gear you should never paddle without, regardless of how warm or calm the day looks from shore.

This page has been moved to our new dedicated kayaking website:

click here to visit Kayak-101.com

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👕 Shop Kayaking Clothing

• UPF 50+ Quick-Dry Shirt — Sun protection essential on the water.
• Wetsuit for Cold Water — Dress for the water temp, not the air temp.
• Water Shoes — Protect feet on rocky launches. Amazon's Choice.

Full gear guide: Kayak 101.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Links above are Amazon affiliate links. Purchases support The Orange Jeep Dad blog at no extra cost to you.

What is Needed to Start Kayaking?

What is Needed to Start Kayaking?

Getting started with kayaking requires less gear than most people expect, and you can be on the water for a reasonable investment. At the core, you need a kayak sized for your intended use, a properly fitting paddle, and a Coast Guard approved life jacket, which is non-negotiable no matter how calm the water looks. Sit-on-top kayaks are the most beginner-friendly style, since they are stable, simple to climb back onto if you tip over, and require very little maintenance compared to more technical touring or whitewater boats.

Beyond the boat itself, a few accessories make the first few trips much easier. A bilge pump or sponge helps clear water that splashes into the cockpit, a dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and snacks protected, and a whistle or signaling device is smart to carry in case you need to get someone's attention. If you plan to paddle in cooler weather or colder water, appropriate clothing like a splash top or wetsuit matters as much as the boat itself, since dressing for the water temperature rather than the air temperature keeps you safe if you end up in the water.

Before buying anything, it is worth renting a kayak or two from a local outfitter to get a feel for different styles and sizes, since the right kayak really depends on your height, weight, and how you plan to use it, whether that is calm lake paddling, fishing, or light touring. Many outdoor stores and lakeside rental shops offer hourly or half day rentals that let you try several models before committing to a purchase. Once you know what you like, secondhand marketplaces and end-of-season sales are a great way to get quality gear without paying full retail price.

This page has been moved to our new dedicated kayaking website:

click here to visit Kayak-101.com

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🛶 Essential Gear to Start Kayaking

• Beginner Kayak — Stable, forgiving sit-on-top kayaks. Amazon bestsellers.
• Kayak Paddle — A quality paddle makes a huge difference in your experience.
• Coast Guard Approved PFD — Required and essential safety gear.
• Dry Bag — Keep your phone, keys, and snacks dry.

Full gear guide: Kayak 101.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Links above are Amazon affiliate links. Purchases support The Orange Jeep Dad blog at no extra cost to you.

Kayaking Boats for Beginners - What Type is Best?

Kayaking Boats for Beginners - What Type is Best?

Choosing the right kayak style makes a bigger difference for beginners than almost any other piece of gear. Sit-on-top kayaks are usually the best starting point, since they are wide, stable, and nearly impossible to accidentally trap yourself inside if you tip over. They are also easy to climb back onto in the water, which builds confidence for anyone still learning basic balance and paddling technique. The tradeoff is that you sit fully exposed to sun, wind, and splashes, so they work best in warmer climates and calmer water.

Sit-inside recreational kayaks are the next step up, offering a bit more protection from wind, spray, and cooler weather while still being short, stable, and easy to maneuver on lakes and slow rivers. These are a great middle ground for paddlers who want to stay a little drier and warmer without jumping straight into more specialized touring or whitewater boats, which require more skill to control and recover if you capsize. Inflatable kayaks have also become a popular beginner option, since they pack down small, are forgiving and stable on the water, and cost less than most hard-shell boats.

When comparing models, pay attention to length and width rather than brand name: shorter, wider kayaks turn easily and resist tipping, which is exactly what a new paddler wants, while longer, narrower boats track straighter and move faster but take more skill to balance. Weight capacity matters too, since an overloaded kayak sits lower in the water and becomes less stable. Renting a few different styles before buying is still the best way to figure out what feels right for your body and the water you plan to paddle most often.

This page has been moved to our new dedicated kayaking website:

click here to visit Kayak-101.com

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🛶 Top Kayaks for Beginners

• Sit-On-Top Kayak — The most forgiving style for new paddlers. Amazon bestsellers.
• Inflatable Kayak — Great for storage-limited paddlers. Surprisingly durable options available.
• Tandem Kayak — Perfect for couples or parent/child paddling.
• Kayak Paddle — Don't skimp here — a good paddle transforms the experience.

Full gear guide: Kayak 101.

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Affiliate Disclosure: Links above are Amazon affiliate links. Purchases support The Orange Jeep Dad blog at no extra cost to you.

OJD is BACK for a Yak Attack! Returning to the Blogosphere...Can It Be Done?

As an Amazon Associate, Orange Jeep Dad earns from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Hello Blogosphere my old friend... I've come to talk to you again...

Hello everyone! Long time, no blog for sure. Some of you are going to get an update on the sidebar of your blog and be like...what the...? Is that...? Yep.

I've been crazy busy with life just like everybody else. Somewhere along the line, my wife talked me into trying to kayak here in southern Idaho. Turns out... I really dig it! She's been talking about it for a few years now. Finally, over the 4th of July last year, we bit the bullet and bought four kayaks from the local sporting goods store. The Swifty Perception 9.5' fits us perfectly.  I'll talk more about the gear we picked up in another post.

Edit: We have started a dedicated blog for our kayaking adventures. This old blog has really just come to be a place for me to put down my thoughts on anything and everything. I decided to keep it the way it is and not try to make it a kayaking blog. If you are interested in see our kayak adventures, come visit us at

Kayak-101.com

Now, back to our regularly scheduled rambling...

The Snake River in Twin Falls is an unbelievable natural paradise and I live about ten minutes from it. I can load up the van with gear and be at the dock in under 20 minutes. For sure, it is a new found hobby that I plan to exploit for recreation and relaxation.

Just as enjoyable as the kayaking itself is the amazing (to me anyway) photographs that I have captured during paddle time. A couple have even been auctioned off at local charities! Boy, what I wouldn't give to be able to figure out how to make a living selling my photographs. I'll post a few on here to give you an idea of what I've captured. But over the past year, I've collected hundreds and there simply isn't enough room on this post to even share my top ten. I'll have to create a tab up top of the page here to send you to an album, should you so desire.


Over the past year, wifey and I have adopted a ketogenic (low carb) way of eating. Mixed with last summer's kayak endeavors, we've lost a combined 100 pounds. She 40 and me 60. We feel much more energetic now that it makes us want to be outdoors even more. We have goals to improve our health, even more, this year. It just takes so darn long for the cold weather to leave...

Lisa and I after losing 100 lbs total (#LoveKeto)

We're finally hitting 61 degrees today and I'm making my plans to drop into the water in about an hour.  I'll need to quickly clean out some cobwebs from the yaks but it shouldn't take long. Then wifey and I will head down to Centennial Park in Twin Falls. That public dock allows us to drop in and paddle up to Pillar Falls. All total, it will be about three hours of paddle time depending on how much nature ogling we do :-) It is not uncommon to see various animals down there from deer to woodchucks, waterfowl and other small critters.

I just wanted to say hello to everyone still out there (all three of you!) and see if anybody has time to say hello back. I'm curious who is still blogging and who isn't. I can see by the links on my sidebar that many have retired from the hobby. This blog needs a facelift as well so I'll be tweaking it a little here and there. But I don't intend to change the look and feel much.

I'm going to post reviews of my kayaking gear, places to go kayaking and anything else I can find around this fascinating sport. And if any of you are ever in the area, drop me a line. I would love to take you on a personal kayaking tour of the Snake River Gorge.

Cheers!

OJD

PS., I forgot to mention the crazy bridge jumpers here too. The Perrine Bridge is the last bridge people base jump from legally in America so we see them every time we go kayaking. I post an article about that too. Simply amazing!

Merry Christmas to All! Happy 2018!

As an Amazon Associate, Orange Jeep Dad earns from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Merry Christmas to all! It's been a terrific year and I have accomplished many things. My job has allowed me to foray into many different roles:

Santa Claus
Pink Michellan Man for breast cancer awareness
just to name a few.

As for accomplishments, here's the short list:

Work

Bring 3D Breast Tomosynthesis to my community for early cancer detection.
Design the layout of a new outpatient imaging center and creating 15 new imaging jobs.
Expand services to a nearby town via a newly built physician clinic.
Built a brand new Interventional Radiology suite inside my hospital. State of the art stuff.
Acquired a new mobile mammography RV to take to rural Idaho and offer diagnostic breast exams.
Numerous tv appearances.

Family

Six months shy of my 20th wedding anniversary and still going strong.
Two daughters successfully attending college (and nearby too, yay!)
One daughter six months from starting her high school year and doing great.
Three daughters in middle school, loving 4H, sports and lots of friends.