Gear
A number of my paddling friends have told me they envy how often I go paddling. Having a flexible schedule helps, but a key component to how I get out on the water so frequently is my gear systems. For paddlers without efficient gear systems, packing for any trip is like packing for the first trip of the season: they are out of practice and their gear is buried under other stuff. I know many kayakers who would like to paddle more frequently, but they are put off by the time and hassle required to get all their gear ready to go. It is also not unusual for paddlers to rush through their preparation and head off on a trip without all the gear they need.

Keeping kayak gear handy is part of my daily routine in the six months of prime New England paddling season. To facilitate this routine, I have developed pre-trip, on-the-water, and post-trip systems.

Pre-trip
Develop a list of the gear you need for different trip lengths and seasons. (See list on following page for guidelines.) You should have all of the gear appropriate for the paddling you are doing, a place to store it between trips, and a system for maintaining and organizing it. For my almost-daily paddles in the summer, I use my car as a boathouse. Stuff packed in a car may be subject to high heat. I don't store heat-sensitive items like my camera, radio, or drysuit in the car, but some of my more low-maintenance gear stays in my car all summer. I have a dry bag - my 'day pack'- and a plastic bin that holds my PFD, pump, paddle float and paddling clothes and shoes. The plastic storage bin keeps the car dry when I dump in wet gear after an outing.

I keep my kayak locked on top of my car. I made a cover of sun-protective cloth to preserve the boat from harmful rays. I keep a gear checklist on my dashboard and double check it before I leave home to make sure I have everything. Every day in the summer, when I head out from the house to go to work or wherever, I sit in the car before driving off and I run down my list, reviewing what I need for the day.

Not everyone has a car they use for a boathouse. Most paddlers, however, can turn some part of their home into an efficient boathouse, by creating spaces to store and maintain their gear. Buy or build storage bins to hold equipment between trips, preferably near where you can hang wet gear to dry. If you use rechargeable batteries for your VHF radio or other electronics, it is handy to have an outlet nearby where you can plug in a charger.

Figure out which gear needs which type of storage area, especially in terms of temperature and dryness. Some equipment, especially dry suits and neoprene paddling clothing, should be rinsed and hung in a cool dry place rather than be packed away. Any dampness may lead to mildew. To transport equipment between your storage areas and your car or launching spot, develop a system such as using bags or portable bins. Such a routine will help you make sure you have everything, and will take less time than if you're juggling lots of loose items.