How to Launch a Kayak
When launching a kayak or canoe you have to consider where you are launching. For instance, are you launching from a dock, high bank, or a pier?
Once you decide where you will launch your kayak, you can then consider the easiest methods. Overall, if you are launching from a pier, dock, or high bank it is simple, unless the drop is deeper than average. Overall, lowering the boat into the waters, lower the stern first, since it is the best solution for launching kayaks or canoes.
How to launch and board from a pier?
If you are launching the kayak from a pier you want to keep in mind that the bow passenger will board the kayak first, and then the stern passenger follows. Boarding from piers means that the passengers load the boat at amid-ship point. The steady descending pressure is the first step to launching and boarding the boat. You want to avoid launching and boarding kayaks at angles. If two people are boarding the boat, the second person can hold the kayak in place while the first person boards.
Launching kayaks from docks is generally harder than launching from beach areas, or piers. If you can find a flat area to launch your kayak, this is ideal, yet you want to avoid dragging the kayak over rocks, since it could cause damage.
Kayak owners often launch in a couple of ways. One of the common ways is the Wet Foot launch. The person will load the kayak into the water while avoid rubbing against any hard obstacles, such as rocks. A rule of thumb is to put your gear in place before launching your kayak. Few people find boarding the kayak before launching easier. If you elect to go this route, make sure the bow is in the water first.
When you carry your kayak to the edge of the water, or launching the kayak you want to consider a couple of details. Under the Hull Registration laws, you are required to follow instructions while carry, or launching kayaks. The most essential rule you want to uphold is the pre-launch guide. In other words, you want to check your kayak before launching it into the water. This will help you avoid problems, such as leaks in the boat.
If you have a smaller kayak you can carry the boat solely, yet few kayaks require that you employ more than one person to carry the boat into the water. You want to read the instructions available with your kayak purchase to decide the best method in launching your kayak. For instance, sometimes you can carry the kayak on the hip to the water edge, while other times four men carry the boat with two on each side gripping the middle area of the boat for carry. You can also drag the kayak to the water edge, or into the water, yet you want to avoid rocks, or objects that will cause damage to the boat.
For the most part you want to lower the stern into the water first, and then the bow, yet in some instances, depending on the boat type, you may want to lower the bow into the water first and then the stern. Check your user manual to learn more, since only you know what type of kayak you own. To board the kayak you want to step one foot to the center of the boat while grasping hold of both sides of the boat. Lower the body and then move toward the middle of the boat slowly.