When it comes to stuffing down the hatch all of the equipment and sundry other items needed for a sea kayaking trip, few people have as much experience as GORP Paddling Expert, Jonathan Hanson. He has sea kayaked in the Arctic Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and many point in between.

Jonathan's"Master Gear List" is designed for expedition-level trips of a week or more in duration in remote waters. If you're only going out for an overnighter, then skip any item marked with an asterix.

Boat Gear
PFD (aka life jacket), with knife, whistle, firestarter attached Paddle Spare Paddle Spray Skirt		Bilge Pump Bailer and Sponge Deck-mounted Compass Waterproof Deck Bag Cockpit Cover Bow Line

Return to Top

Safety Equipment
Paddle Float Signal Mirror Meteor Flares Strobe VHF Radio Knife Tow Line*		Whistle Parachute Flares* See/Rescue Banner* Sea Anchor* Barometer* EPIRB*

Return to Top

Navigation
Charts Chart Case Tide Table Handheld compass GPS Unit* Map Measurer* Tool Kit and Spares Multitool Small ChannelLock Pliers* Needlenose Pliers* Small Wire Cutters* Screwdrivers* 6-Inch Adjustable Wrench 2 Hemostats		Full-Size Roll of Duct Tape Electrical Tape* Spare Rudder Cable and Fittings Spare Seat Bolts* 50 Feet of 3mm Kernmantle Nylon Cord Tube of Seam Grip Small Stainless U-Shackles* Single-Edged Razor Blades* Fiberglass Repair Kit* Spare Deck Bungees* Spare Hatch Straps* GearAid Expedition Repair Kit

Return to Top

Camp Gear
Tent Tent Groundcloth Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad and Chair Kit Inflatable Pillow Parawing or Tarp Black Diamond T-Stakes Awning Poles Extra Guylines Clothing Thermal Stretch Suit, Wet Suit, or Dry Suit, depending on water conditions		Synthetic Underwear Fleece Jacket Paddling Jacket Cap that can cover your ears Neoprene Gloves Neoprene Booties, Water Shoes, or"Wellies" Light nylon pants Light nylon shirt Sunglasses Bandana Hiking Shoes

Return to Top

Kitchen Gear
Stove Stove Repair Kit* Fuel Bottles Water Containers Cooking Pots and Pans Utensils Battery-Operated or Gas Lantern* Measuring Cup Outback Oven Cooking Knife Potgripper Cooking Oil		Potscrubber Griddle* Spices Can Opener Plates and Bowls Water Filter Zipper lock plastic bags Trash Bags Grater Coffee Filters and Filter Holder Grill Folding Basin

Return to Top

Miscellaneous
Flashlight Spare Bulbs and Batteries Binoculars Field Guides Fishing Gear (optional)		Snorkeling Equipment (optional) Headlamp Journal and Pen Camera Equipment Bear Repellent Fanny Pack

Return to Top

First Aid Gear
Sunscreen Band-Aids SAM Splint Thermometer Forceps Ace Bandages Insect Repellent Chapstick Bandage Shears Sawyer Extractor Moleskin Elbow Support Hydrocortisone Cream Dressings Sting-Eze Swabs		Hemostats Pointed Tweezers Needle Eye Pads Dramamine Scopolamine Patches Mylanta Eyedrops Ibuprofin Aspirin 10% Iodine Solution EpiPen Immodium Irrigation Syringe Or First Aid Kit

Return to Top

Waterproof Containers
Different-colored dry bags to distinguish gear. (All gear should be in dry bags, which also add flotation.)		Pelican Cases for camera equipment and first aid gear Dry Boxes for tool kit/spares and other small items

Return to Top