Kayak Accessories

This is a new powerful and reliable retractable skeg system that can be installed while you are building your kayak OR later. This injection moulded skeg box is made to stay clean from dirt and other obstacles to reduce the risk of jamming. The skeg blade is well supported in the skeg box with integrated framework.

The box is simple to install either from in- or outside and it can also be retrofitted.

The system also includes completely new skeg control unit. This unit can be installed on the deck of the kayak with or without a recess. It is simple and precise in use.

For $115 we laminate basswood and Spanish cedar into a blank that has the loom pre-shaped (see picture lower left). These save you time trying to find the right wood and mill it, they are more stable and stronger as a lamination. The book by Brian Nystrom, "Greenland Paddles, Step by Step", is included. A paddle made from one of these laminations would typically weigh 32 ounces.

Here is the answer to the dilemma of different people using the same kayak. These footbraces can be adjusted by simply reaching forward, flipping the red tab upward, sliding the footpedal forward or aft, and flipping the red tab back down. In addition to the ease of adjustment, these are very sturdy footbrace assemblies.

If you are building your kayak and haven't installed the footbraces, you can get the footbrace studs FREE (a $20 value) with purchase of a set of these footbraces. If you are retrofitting and have holes already drilled in the hull, simply ask for our long bolts. The cost is the same either way.

Covers: Available only in black. They are adjustable with the shock cord that is in a pocket sewn around the edge. This is an important accessory: If your kayak is being transported or left out in the rain it can become a lethal object if allowed to fill up with water.

Skirts: Made by Brooks Wetsuits. The 200 denier nylon is waterproof and seams are located away from potential seepage spots. Complete with tabs for securing the optional suspenders. Available only in black.

Brooks' Nylon Sizing Chart

Brooks' most popular touring skirt, practical for multi-users of one boat. Features: 3.5mm neoprene, durable duratex laminate on deck, adjustable waist tunnel - one size fits most, pocket on waistband, adjustable 1/4" bungee, and grabloop colored to indicate cockpit size.

Brooks' Nylon Sizing Chart

Helps protect against paddle splash, spray and sun. Size #2 fits touring boats, size #5 fits rec boats. Features 200 d. nylon, and an implosion bar.

The Deckline Hardware package consists of 8 plastic padeyes with stainless steel bolts, and 20' of ¼" black shock cord to make a continuous loop. This package cost is $28.12 or you can purchase any of these items separately. Package 1 contains all the basic materials listed while Package 2 contains the same materials but the padeyes are substituted with new Kajak Sport Deckline Fittings for $42.80 (see below).

KajakSport manufactures a wide range of deckline fittings which are greatly appreciated among kayak owners and manufacturers. All their fittings are strong enough to withstand a 100 kilogram (60 pounds) pull. To keep the deckline fittings absolutely waterproof Kajak Sport has sealed each fitting with a special o-ring.

This package consists of webbing, buckles, stainless steel bolts, and 1/2" hatch seal material that will allow you to create water tight flush hatches on a strip deck (enough for two hatches).

We are now providing the Navigator Rudder System by KajakSport. With this assembly you get: the retractable rudder, pintle sleeve, stainless steel control cable and sleeve, adjustable Sea-Dog footbraces and foot brace studs. This is everything you need to install this rudder system WITHOUT drilling through your hull to mount the footbraces. Also, you can easily adjust the foot pedal location without taking anything apart using the unique Sea Dog footbrace system.

To see how this rudder works, go here. Note that this rudder blade is pulled UP onto the rear deck, not flipped over.

The Ritchie Kayaker Deck Compass (S-59W) has a 4-1/4" base and a moveable bezel. It can be mounted to a wood block that you would permanently epoxy to your foredeck.

The Ritchie Sportabout Hand Compass (X-11Y) is a slick little unit. You can use it for hiking, in your car, or on your motorcycle. It has a silicon impact resistant case with a neck lanyard. If you get the X-11 Kayak Mounting Adaptor you could mount it temporarily to the foredeck of your kayak.

The Ritchie Kayaker Tie Down Kit (KT-D) is used to create a removable mounting for the deck compass above. This would allow you to move the compass from one kayak to another as needed.

Kajak-Sport hatches are state-of-the-art in the industry worldwide. The secret to assuring absolute waterproof performance in these hatches lies in the unique double seal system, as well as the proprietary compound that they have developed for their hatch covers. There are three different round sizes available. We are currently not stocking the oval hatches. Please note that the dimensions given are INSIDE dimensions; add 1-3/4" to the dimensions to work out the "footprint" size but don't cut your hatch holes until you have the hatches in hand.

These adjustable footbraces are standard on many commercial kayaks. The 14" bar is aluminum; bolts are provided for attachment through your hull or mount to plywood strips inside your hull. Also available with a shorter (7") rail.

The metal studs pictured at left can be epoxied to the inside of the hull of a stripper or stitch and glue kayak to eliminate the need to drill through the hull to mount your footbraces. They will work with either aluminum or keeper.

The Newfound Seat is a fabric covered compressed foam pad, about 2” thick at the highest points, 15¼” wide x 14¾” deep, dish-shaped somewhat like a tractor seat. To install you would apply contact cement or spray adhesive to the bottom of the seat and press into place on the hull, using weights until the glue sets. This will give you a very comfortable seat. If you are using this in a v-hulled kayak, such as a stitch and glue plywood design, we will supply two wedges of mini-cell foam to help flatten out the V shape of the hull somewhat. (If you order, tell us if this will be installed in a smooth hulled kayak or in a stitch n glue)Newfound Seat - $74.95, includes contact paper and foam wedges. Grande Seat with mini-cell pad - $49.95

The Sonic Backband ($32.95) is comfortable, 16-1/2” wide x 6” tall, and made from compressed foam covered with fabric. Includes webbing, quick release buckles, and stainless steel bolts for installation.

Available in 3” and 1” thicknesses. This is closed cell foam so it won’t absorb water. Cut with a saber saw, band saw, or serrated knife. Will adhere with contact cement either to other pieces of foam or to the inside of your kayak. Both thicknesses are available as a full block 24” wide x 54” long or a half block at 24” x 27”.Use the 3” for foam bulkheads and to carve your own kayak seat. Use the 1” foam for padding your cockpit opening, hip braces, and thigh braces.Pre-cut hip braces available as 1” thick x 5” tall x 7” long with rounded corners. $8/pair.

1” x 24” x 54 ” - $47 Full Block
1” x 24” x 27” - $24 Half Block
3” x 24” x 54 ” - $95 Full Block
3” x 24” x 27” - $48 Half Block
1” x 5” x 7” - $8/pair Hip Brace Pads

This is a seat bottom formed to accommodate both cheeks of the paddler's butt. The shape is very similar to your traditional John Deere tractor seat. This is very comfortable and installs easily by bolting through the hip brace towers on each side. You will need 19" between the hip braces for the Large seat and 17-1/2" for the Medium seat, but you should wait to have the seat in hand before you install the hip braces.

Note that this seat will not work in low volume kayaks such as the Outer Island, Guillemot, Expedition Single, or Night Heron because the side 'towers' will be too high for the allotted space.

The backrests listed below attach to this seat as a unit. There is a strap on the backbands that loops through two attachment points behind the hip brace towers of the seat. Two vertical straps from the back band loop through slots in the back of the seat and hook to the back of your cockpit coaming.

The cost indicated above is the seat bottom only; pick a backband below and you will have the integrated unit.

KajakSport has invested time and effort in developing a comfortable backrest. During this arduous process they recognized that different paddlers have different requirements. As a result, they have designed three different back band sizes. They are pictured at right. The High Deluxe backband ($36.95) dimensions are 7-1/2" high x 14" wide, top picture at right. The Medium backband ($32.95) dimensions are 6" high x 14" wide, center picture at right. The Small backband ($28.95) is 3-1/2" high x 13" wide, bottom picture at right.

Top picture shows an Ergo Seat and Medium backband installed in a Hybrid.