All equipment is to be washed thoroughly with fresh water after use. Please use a bucket, sponge, and rain water (if available) from the tap at the front of the shed. A handle for the tap is stored inside the shed (take care not to leave it on the tap or lose it!).

The club has elected to purchase plastic sea kayaks, which are very robust but not indestructible. Unlike fibreglass hulls the plastic boats will not easily fracture over rough surfaces, but care should be taken to avoid scraping the hulls. Plastic boats cannot be repaired to the same extent as fibreglass kayaks.

The rougher the hulls get, the slower you’ll be able to paddle and the shorter the lifetime of the boats.

Rudders are quite vulnerable so take care when transporting the boats, and be sure to raise the rudders when landing. Proper transport of boats is of particular importance because of the safety concerns and the potential for severe damage.

Strap all boats down securely.

• Plastic sea kayaks – it is important to either use kayak cradles or foam padding, or otherwise mount the boats on their side. The long unsupported plastic hulls bend and remain buckled when strapped down flat on roof racks.
• Fibreglass kayaks – should be strapped onto cradles or foam padding. Strapping directly to a roof rack will dent the bottom, and can crack the kayak (this has happened!). Do not strap them down too tightly, as this may crack them.

Although PFDs are nice and soft, sitting on them compresses the foam and reduces the buoyancy. They are not to be sat on – someone may depend on them.

Flare kits should be kept dry in bags stored in the kayak hatches. Tie pumps to the deck rigging with a short length of cord to avoid loss. Paddle ties are available to attach your paddle to the boat. Spare (split) paddles, helmets, and tow ropes are also part of the safety gear. Make sure to check the tow rope is ready and able to be deployed quickly before you depart (make sure it is not tangled). A steel cable and padlock is available to secure kayaks while away from the shed if needed.

Green ant and Fire ant TK1 kayaks are very fragile and must NOT be stored on the top two shelves in the boatshed. The angles needed to move them on/off the racks places too much strain on the hulls and will crack them.

Notify the club equipment officers of any damage that does occur.