DIY Kayak Floats

More than 1,000 years ago, kayaks were used primarily for hunting in the arctic, stretching from Asia across North America and into Greenland. These early kayaks were made from animal skin and driftwood. Today, kayaking is a recreational sport enjoyed by people of all ages. One critical safety aspect of kayaking is flotation. Kayak floats help fill the void at the stern of your kayak, providing increased flotation that will prevent water from filling this cavity and easier righting of the kayak should it flip over.

Things You'll Need

  • Heavy-duty fabric
  • Large vacuum storage bag
  • Thread
  • 2 - O rings
  • 2 - 1/2" x 6" nylon webbing
  • Sewing machine
  • Measuring tape
  • Straight pins
  • Scissors
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Pattern paper
  • Pattern marker
  • Utility knife
  • Urethane-based fabric glue
  • Wet/dry vacuum with a blower feature
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the stern cavity. There are several measurements you must make to ensure your kayak float fits properly. Begin at the end of the stern cavity and measure the width and height of this area. Measure the length of the stern cavity. Write these measurements down, carefully labeling them.

    • 2

      Create your kayak float pattern. On the pattern paper, make a line the width of the end of the stern cavity. Extend this line by the height measurement. Measure from the center of this line the distance measured for the length of the stern cavity. Mark this spot on the pattern paper. Add together the measurements for the width and height of the front of the stern cavity. Draw a line parallel with your first line, centering the line on the mark you made on the pattern paper. Connect the end points of the left side of both lines and the end points of the right side of both lines to form a trapezoid. Extend these lines by one-half inch on all four sides, to allow for seam allowances. Cut the pattern out on this exterior line.

    • 3

      Assemble the exterior of the kayak float. Transfer the pattern to the heavy-duty fabric twice. Cut out the two pieces with the scissors. Lay one piece, right side up, on the work table. Thread the O rings through the lengths of nylon webbing. Position the end of each of your pieces of webbing approximately 4 inches in from the corners of the front end -- the longest base -- of your piece. Fold the webbing in half, so that the ends meet. Place the second piece of material on top, right-side down, so that the right sides of the two pieces are together. Pin around the pieces, ensuring that you pin through the webbing to hold it in place.

    • 4

      Sew and finish your kayak float. Begin at one corner of your kayak float and sew around both the front and back, one of the lengths, and halfway up the second length, using a one-half-inch seam allowance. Turn right-side out, through the open length. Place the vacuum storage bag inside the float. Choose a storage bag that is larger than the inside of the float. Be sure the storage bag is securely closed before putting it in the float. Position the inflation opening in the center of the top of the bag. Locating it by feel through the material, lift the material away from the storage bag and make a small slit with the utility knife. Use the scissors to enlarge the slit so the inflation opening can come through. Glue the fabric to the bag around the opening and let it dry. Hand sew the opening along the second length, being careful not to puncture the storage bag. Inflate it using the blow setting on a wet/dry vacuum.