First of all, if you're going to be a sailor now, you'll have to learn that it is called "line", not "rope".
More: A Piece of Rope ...
Parts & Accessories (1/2)
This is a cable-lock I made, about 12 feet long. It is just 3/16" coated steel cable from the hardware store, with crimp ferrules, and a big steel ring in one end. The ferrules fit through the scupper holes on the boat, but the steel ring does not. Together with any padlock, this will secure the boat (or several) to your truck, roof rack, a tree, or anything else that is handy. You can take this cable with you, it will give you peace of mind if you leave the boat unattended to go exploring on land.
The object is not to stop a determined thief - you can't do that. It is to stop someone from casually taking your boat with their bare hands. Don't lock the boat by the handles - they are easily cut with a pocket knife and cheap to replace. Run the cable through a scupper hole, and a thief would have to destroy the boat to steal it. If your boat doesn't have scupper holes, you can probably find someplace to thread the cable though, or make a suitable hole in the seat.
You can find a cable like this all set to go on Amazon for under 20 bucks. Where I used a steel ring, you could use a second padlock.
Real side handles make necessary tie-down points for transport, and are well worth the cost of adding them if your boat doesn't have them. This is a good model that uses two screws at each end to secure it. Even better, if you can reach inside the hull, use bolts and washers instead of screws. Kayak plastic is pretty thick though, and the screws have not been a problem.
More: Handles ...
This is for sit-on-top kayaks with closed hulls. Open-hull sit-inside kayaks don't really need hatches.
You can order any kind and size of hatch on eBay. They are easy to install - just trace the hole on the hull and cut it out with a jigsaw. A hatch like this one has a storage bag for small items like keys and phone, which removes for access to the inside of the hull.
More: Hatches & Storage ...
Your new boat probably came with a paddle. I've never seen a boat come with a good paddle. It is just a starter, to get you going. Get a good paddle that is the right size for you. It will make a world of difference. Keep the old one for a spare. Rule of thumb: your paddle should be about your height. If you install a thick seat cushion, you might want to go a little longer even.
I regard my paddle as an emergency signalling device as well, which is why I like the yellow color pictured, especially if your boat is some camouflage shade of green.
More: Paddles ...
Don't spend a fortune on a PFD, or Personal Flotation Device, commonly known as a life preserver. Unless you plan to go far offshore in deep water, you will never need it or wear it. Most of the places I go, self-rescue would be a matter of standing up, or a couple of strokes to shallow water or the shore.
More: PFD & Other Required Gear ...
There are a lot of kayak and canoe rentals on the region, typically associated with good places to go. I've listed a few, mainly just to test software. If you have a store or business and you'd like to be listed here, contact me.
This is a scupper cart. It is a set of wheels that fits in the scupper holes of the kayak and lets one person wheel it around like a wagon. The big advantage of this sort of cart is that when you get to the water, you can pull it out, flip it over, and stick it in the top of the kayak. Then off you go - no need to double back to put the cart away. Also, you'll have it if you get somewhere that you might want to portage.
More: Scupper Cart ...
- Bass Pro Shops - Atlantic City
- Bass Pro Shops - Sayreville
- Big Bear Gear - New Hope
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Allentown PA
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Atlantic City
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Brick
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Burlington
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Cherry Hill
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Deptford
- Dick's Sporting Goods - East Brunswick
- Dick's Sporting Goods - East Hanover
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Eatontown
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Fairfield
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Freehold
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Millville
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Mt Laurel
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Princeton
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Rockaway
- Dick's Sporting Goods - South Plainfield
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Stafford
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Stroudsburg PA
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Union
- Dick's Sporting Goods - Woodbridge
- Great Bay Outfitters - Keyport
- Great Bay Outfitters - Tuckerton
- Harbor Outfitters - Cape May
- Harbor Outfitters - Cape May (N)
- Harbor Outfitters - Cape May (S)
- Paddler's Cove - Washington
- REI - East Hanover
- REI - Marlton
- REI - Paramus
- REI - Princeton
- Tractor Supply - Blairstown
- Tractor Supply - Bordentown
- Tractor Supply - Bridgeton
- Tractor Supply - Buena Vista
- Tractor Supply - Egg Harbor
- Tractor Supply - Flanders
- Tractor Supply - Hammonton
- Tractor Supply - Hillsborough
- Tractor Supply - Little Egg Harbor
- Tractor Supply - Logan
- Tractor Supply - Middletown
- Tractor Supply - Monroe
- Tractor Supply - Newton
- Tractor Supply - Old Bridge
- Tractor Supply - Phillipsburg
- Tractor Supply - Pilesgrove
- Tractor Supply - Ringoes
- Tractor Supply - Rio Grande
- Tractor Supply - Rockaway
- Tractor Supply - Sicklerville
- Tractor Supply - Southampton
- Tractor Supply - Sussex
- Tractor Supply - Tinton Falls
- Tractor Supply - Toms River
- Tractor Supply - Upper Freehold
- Tractor Supply - Vineland
- Tractor Supply - Waretown
- Tractor Supply - Warren
- Tractor Supply - Washington
- Tractor Supply - West Berlin
- Tractor Supply - West Milford
- Walmart - Audubon
- Walmart - Boonton
- Walmart - Bridgeton
- Walmart - Burlington
- Walmart - Cedar Knolls
- Walmart - Cherry Hill
- Walmart - Cinnaminson
- Walmart - Clinton
- Walmart - Deptford
- Walmart - East Windsor
- Walmart - Edison
- Walmart - Egg Harbor
- Walmart - Flanders
- Walmart - Flemington
- Walmart - Franklin
- Walmart - Garfield
- Walmart - Hackettstown
- Walmart - Hamilton
- Walmart - Hammonton
- Walmart - Lanoka Harbor
- Walmart - Little Egg Harbor
- Walmart - Lumberton
- Walmart - Manahawkin
- Walmart - Marlton
- Walmart - Mays Landing
- Walmart - Millville
- Walmart - Mount Laurel
- Walmart - Newton
- Walmart - Pennsville
- Walmart - Phillipsburg
- Walmart - Piscataway
- Walmart - Princeton
- Walmart - Rio Grande
- Walmart - Riverdale
- Walmart - Rockaway
- Walmart - Saddle Brook
- Walmart - Sayreville
- Walmart - Secaucus
- Walmart - Somerdale
- Walmart - Toms River
- Walmart - Turnersville
- Walmart - Union
- Walmart - Vineland
- Walmart - Watchung
- Walmart - West Berlin
- Walmart - Williamstown
- Walmart - Woodbridge
- Walmart - Woodbury
- Walmart* - Bayonne
- Walmart* - Brick
- Walmart* - East Brunswick
- Walmart* - Freehold
- Walmart* - Hamilton
- Walmart* - Howell
- Walmart* - Kearny
- Walmart* - Linden
- Walmart* - Manville
- Walmart* - Neptune
- Walmart* - North Bergen
- Walmart* - North Brunswick
- Walmart* - Old Bridge
- Walmart* - Teterboro
- West Marine - Brick
- West Marine - Cape May
- West Marine - Cherry Hill
- West Marine - Eatontown
- West Marine - Egg Harbor
- West Marine - Hackensack
- West Marine - Highlands
- West Marine - Toms River
- West Marine - Tuckerton
- West Marine - Woodbridge
You'd be surprised where you can get a good kayak nowadays. Like these places:
Dick's and West Marine have good selections of kayaks, parts, and accessories. Walmart and Tractor Supply also have a kayak selection, in-season. I hate to say it, but sometimes you can find good deals at Amazon too. Many Walmarts also have live earthworms for fishing.
It's just a matter of time before they show up at your local supermarket. (Kayaks, not earthworms. Maybe earthworms, if Bill Gates gets his way. Yum!)