Gear Storage

[AR-Nimrod]

Starting to accumulate a bunch of kayaking gear (PFD's, wetsuits, semi-drytops, helmets, ets....) and was wanting to know how to properly store and care for it. Also, what is best way to transport it? Currently use mesh bags for transport. I see a lot of these partial mesh "gear" bags on the on-line stores; are they what is typically used for trans/storage. As always your input and suggestions are appreciated.

This would be easier if I didn't have to buy 3 of everything.....

[okieboater]

I use the big mesh bags.

I have a pickup, so not a problem to just toss them in the back.

If I had a SUV, I would get one of those add on plastic deals that fit in the storage area floor and drain out the back.

Depending on the rack system, some folks put the mesh bags in the kayak cockpit. There is a mesh bag (prijon is where I found mine) that has straps to hold the bag in the kayak as they have been known to fall out.

Wet paddle gear has it's own unique smell.

I have used the plastic bags and the big plastic bins and they work ok for a short ride, but man if you leave them wet for any period of time the smell would make a skunk blush.

If you do buy some of the mesh or mesh/waterproof bottom bags, It is a good idea to shake out your gear and put it in the bag as you take stuff off at the take out. If you are waiting for a ride, I keep all my wet gear on the kayak. reason if you hang stuff out of sight, it is easy to forget them in the rush of loading up. I know, that is how I lost my first Kokotat gore tex dry suit. Did not get it back, but understand some of the local three wheelers were seen riding around in a set of coveralls that looked a lot like a cut down dry suit!!

[Eric Esche]

I got a used scuba diver's bag that I use to haul most of my river gear to and from river. Thing is 10+ years old and still keeps on trucking to roll practices and river. Big coated Cordura plastic zippered bag with eyelet drain holes and shoulder straps. Use mesh bags for some stuff like spares and off season accessories (gloves, pogies, hoods, spares of everything for loaning, etc) after wash and dry, hang up most dry suit type gear in between uses in closet. Have 20 gallon pickle barrels for river tripping so dry for second+ days. So nice to put on dry gear next morning when in canoe.

Eric

[ARzach]

I know, that is how I lost my first Kokotat gore tex dry suit. Did not get it back, but understand some of the local three wheelers were seen riding around in a set of coveralls that looked a lot like a cut down dry suit!!

Ouch!!!

[okieboater]

Great big ole ouch for sure

That is when I started putting all my gear on the kayak or in the mesh bag while waiting for shuttle or attaching same to the kayak on river trips where the wind blows big time.

Posted in the hopes others learn from my mistake.

[BMuu]

I use the NRS mesh bag for transport and I hang all my gear in an area where it can drip dry when I get home. Then I either leave it hanging up until I am certain it's totally dry I put it in a storeage bin.

I also coat my drytop gaskets in 303, I have some stamped 2002 and they are still going strong.

I would put it back into the mesh bag but I don't always need to take all of my gear with me on every trip.

A trick to getting some of the smell out of booties and such is to soak it in water/vinigar. This will kill off the bacteria causing the smell and your gear will now smell like a pickle instead of mold.

[RandyJ]

Another opinion...

Used to use a big mesh bag. Worked fine. Could be jammed into cockpit and secured, to and from the river. A hassle if you have it there and boats are racked up and you need something out of the bag.

Still sometimes use my Stohlquist Wet/Dry/Gross bag. Needs some zipper repair, but otherwise very functional. Very versatile. Stood up to airline travel to Chile and back w/my gear inside (zippers locked).

Now mostly using a big plastic tub. Saw Lazer, ScottH, et al using these and wasn't crazy about the idea at first, but does a good job, especially after the run, of keeping the wet stuff away from everything else. If you've ever had your dry clothes get wet somehow during shuttle, especially when you want them to be WARM and dry, you look for other solutions.

As for home storage, I picked up some discarded server cabinets at my office. Nice size, and you can add shelves, hanging rod, lights, or whatever. Advantages: keeps gear neatly organized in one (?) place in the garage, and keeps the gear out of UV. One of the two cabs I have still has working ventilation fans, so I can switch them on if I want a quick dry. Hard to tell, but the one pictured below has a smoked plexiglas door. Had the wire shelving cut to length at Lowes/Home Depot.

[ARzach]

Randy! That is sick! My gear wishes I had a fan to dry it out...

Geeze, I didn't think I was the only one who hung/flopped it into the bed of my truck untill I need my stuff again... (Except my drysuit, it stays INSIDE).

[RandyJ]

Another handy item that's useful for keeping all your "poop in a group" is a prussik loop and 'biner. I can lash most of the main gear items together for shuttle or other transport. Easily stashed in a PFD pocket or in the boat. Sling it over your paddle and carry hobo style, or clip into your boat for carry to/from put-in/take-out.

[okieboater]

RJ brings to mind another Okieboater tip from the school of hard knocks.

I used to use my hi dollar helmet strap to loop most of my gear together as randyj describes. Worked great until one trip the weight I guess pulled the nylon strap off the pop rivet. Take a look and most of the helmets just have a pop rivet holding the hoopie strap to the helmet. Very common on even the hi dollar units which mine is.

Back home I drilled out the pop rivets and installed washers to add to the hold. Now, I do not use my helmet for a gear strap. Much better to use a loop as RJ describes.

Long time ago I started wearing a hoopie loop around my waist under spray jacket. It makes a great gear loop, boat drag, Z drag anchor, help to flip a raft, kayak tie to a tree, kayak pull when on a Fish search for the put in, close to shore rescue throw, clip to a kayak as a temp grip when you are on a rock in the middle of the river and the list goes on and on.

[AR-Nimrod]

Great info guys. Thanks. Besides treating the gaskets with 303 what other care/cleaning do you do? I'd heard about using vinegar in the rinse cycle in a front load washer for PFD's to keep the smell and mold at bay. I will need a bigger cabinet for our stuff. Seems everytime I buy something for kayaking I have to buy one or similar for wife and daughter. If I didn't love this so much the costs would really upset me.

[perspective7]

I used to use a mesh bag when I had my pickup, but now use a plastic tote so I don't get water all over inside the back of my Jeep...it fits all my wet gear perfect including: booties, wetsuit, dry top, pfd, throw rope, helmet, etc...The pic above is pretty much all my gear taking up a whole wall in a room. I used to keep it in a closet but ended up with mold