Most kayak seats do not have much cushion. Nothing can be worse than getting a sore butt half way through a trip. A foam cushion or a inflatable cushion can save the day.
A waterproof container is a must-have for phone, wallet, keys, et cetera. They come in many shapes and sizes as well as hard and soft versions. Make sure you securely attach your container to the inside of your boat with a carabiner. You don’t want your valuables to float away if you tip over.
Nothing is more annoying than climbing into your boat and watching your paddle float off down the river. Paddle clips are the answer. One type attaches to the cockpit combing with no tools. Another type bolts to the deck and requires drilling holes in the deck.
A paddle tether will keep your paddle attached to your boat in case you become separated from it.
Seats in most kayaks have a short back. This lack of support can give a kayaker back pain. I remedied this situation by purchasing a seat intended for a canoe. It attaches to the kayak by straps and buckles. I find that my weight is enough to hold the seat in place so I don’t use the straps. The back of this seat is tall enough to give adequate back support and it folds flat for easy storage.
Unless the bottoms of your feet are like leather, you will need a pair of water shoes. An old pair of street shoes will work just fine but they take forever to dry. I recommend a pair of purpose-made water shoes. They can be purchased for as little as ten or fifteen dollars. High end models can go for as much as a hundred bucks. Water shoes with drain holes are great for letting water out, but they also let sand and gravel in. Don’t buy water shoes with a stiff sole that doesn’t bend. Even with minimal walking, these type of shoes will chafe your heels and give you painful blisters. I found out the hard way. Some of the primitive boat landings can be muddy, so plan accordingly.
No matter how hard you try, you are going to get your feet wet. This can be a problem if the water is uncomfortably cold. A pair of wet suit boots can be a valuable addition to your kayaking gear. I have never had cold feet while wearing wet suit boots.
A spray skirt is exactly what it sounds like. It fits around your waist like a skirt. The bottom of the skirt fits around your cockpit combing, effectively sealing the cockpit from water. In all the lakes and rivers I have kayaked in Michigan, I have not needed a spray skirt. I do recall a time when I was running a rapids on the Kalamazoo River between Otsego and Trowbridge Dam. It was one of the biggest rapids I have ever encountered. I don’t know how I made it through without tipping over. I like to think it was paddling skill but I’m sure that luck had a lot to do with it. Waves broke over my cockpit and I took on water. I had to stop on the river bank and drain my kayak before I could continue paddling. In my case, this is the only time a spray skirt would have come in handy. A spray skirt would also come in handy when launching your kayak in surf on one of the great lakes. Consulting an expert will help you decide if a spray skirt is a good choice for you.
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 