End of Season Gear Maintenance

Taking care of your kayak and related gear is essential for getting the most out of it

Taking care of outdoor gear isn't as fun as using it. However, it can help your gear last longer and make it easier to use in the future. With the weather turning colder, take a little time to give your water sports gear some attention before hanging it up for the winter.

Start with a good rinse

Wash your PFD, spray skirt, and kayak thoroughly with clean water. Pay special attention to zippers, buckles, rudder/skeg, and foot pedals. These are places where dirt and grit will build up and make things sticky or cause extra wear.

Don't forget your paddle, especially if you have a two-piece or break down model. Pull it apart and wipe down the ferrule with a clean cloth. Grit building up here will turn a breakdown paddle into a one piece.

Move rudders and skegs through their full range of motion both with the foot pedals/slider and at the unit itself. Remove any sand/grit/rocks that may prevent things from moving freely.

Check your hatches

Check all hatches for water and remove any sand that may have accumulated in the hatch. Inspect the hatch itself to make sure it's sealing properly. If you have a kayak with a Tupperware style seal apply some lubricant/protectant such as 303 or Novus 1.

If your kayak has VCP style rubber hatches be sure to check the underside for cracking. Gently bending the hatch slightly can help spot any cracks.

Inspect for damage

Start with all of the deck rigging. Anything come untied? Are the bungees still stretchy? Pay special attention to webbing and seat components as well as rudder haul lines. If you notice that lines or webbing is beginning to fray, determine whether you should replace it.

The webbing on this seat is starting to fray but can probably be left for another season.

Move on to the hull of kayak. Check for scratches or dings. Anytime you can see the fabric texture through a scratch or ding on a composite kayak you should repair that area. For poly kayaks, if scratches or dings give under firm pressure that area should be reinforced.

The damage on the left (mango kayak) should be repaired. The damage on the right (white hull) can be repaired or left alone.

If you're looking to be extra thorough, check to make sure all nuts and bolts are tightly fastened including deck line guides such as pad eyes. It's not uncommon for these to loosen periodically.

Clean and inspect immersion wear

If you don't clean your wetsuit or dry suit after every use, do it before you put it away for the winter. Mirazyme effectively eliminates odors and works on both neoprene and breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex. Check any gaskets and lubricate zippers.

Kokatat has great resources for dry suit care and maintenance on their website.

Give your gear some extra love

If you have a composite kayak consider scrubbing and waxing it. If your kayak is rotomolded or thermoformed give it a good polish with Novus 1 or 303. This will not only make the kayak look great it will also protect it.

Protect your dry suit gaskets and keep them supple by applying 303 or a silicone spray (be sure to check with the manufacturer what they recommend). It's also a good idea to clean and lubricate the zippers on a dry suit--An old toothbrush works great for getting grit out. Metal zippers can be lubricated with wax, plastic zippers with petroleum jelly.

If you want to go the extra mile apply a DWR treatment to your dry suit.

Zippers on a dry suit should be cleaned and lubricated periodically to prevent damage

While this article is titled year end gear maintenance, this could also be done in the spring. All gear should be cleaned, inspected, and repaired as necessary, at least once a year. If you have questions, or are looking for help with your kayak and related gear check out our repair services page or stop by the shop.