Homemade Kayak Accessories

Homemade kayak accessories are limited only by the creator's imagination. With only a few tools and materials, custom and inexpensive accessories can easily be made. The accessories can be created to the perfect size for each kayak and paddler. Two useful pieces of kayak accessories that can be homemade are a soft three- or five-litre water container and a clear map protector.

  1. Collapsible Water Container

    • Materials needed for this project are a three- or five-liter box of wine; a half-yard of heavy denim; half-yard of Velcro; thread; bleach; scissors; and a sewing machine. Velcro is made with two strips, one has a hook surface and the other a loop surface. The two strips, when pressed together provide a tight seal.

      Save the plastic liner from the box of wine after it has been enjoyed. Pry the spigot loose. Do this carefully, as it will need to be reattached. Wash the inside of the box with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly with water and on the final rinse add a few drops of bleach to the water. Lay the plastic liner out flat. Cut two pieces of denim, 1 inch wider on all four sides than the liner. Fold down 1 inch on the top of each piece of denim and sew this down, making a finished edge on each one. Cut the Velcro, 1 inch shorter (to allow the spigot to protrude) in length than these finished edges and sew to the inside of each finished edge, sewing the hook strip of the Velcro on one piece and the loop strip on the other. This allows them to close together and seal after the two pieces of fabric are stitched together.

      Lay the two pieces of fabric together with the Velcro facing out (right sides together) and stitch the other three sides together. Turn the bag right side out, insert the plastic liner, close up the remaining side by squeezing the Velcro together, leaving the spigot protruding in the 1-inch opening that has no Velcro.

    Vinyl Map Protector

    • Materials and tools needed for this project are a half-yard of vinyl; half-yard of Velcro; glue; thread; scissors; and a sewing machine. Vinyl and Velcro by the yard are available at most fabric stores. The glue must be waterproof and compatible with the material the kayak is constructed of.

      Cut the vinyl to the size desired for the deck of the kayak immediately in front of the paddler. Cut two pieces of the same size allowing an extra inch on three sides for seams. Sew Velcro strips on the side of the map case meant to open to insert map materials—sew the hook strip of the Velcro on one piece of vinyl and the loop strip on the other piece.

      Sew three pieces of 2-inch hook-side Velcro across the center of the piece of vinyl that will attach to the kayak deck. Glue the matching three pieces of loop-side Velcro to the kayak deck, centered where the map case is to attach. Finally, sew the three remaining edges of vinyl together. Do not sew closed the edge with Velcro.

      The map case is ready for navigation duty as it is attached to the Velcro strips on the kayak deck. The opening with Velcro allows easy access and when it is sealed shut keeps out most moisture.

    Don't Stop Now

    • The concept of fabric and Velcro can be expanded to all sizes and shapes of kayak accessories, and the price is right. Keep creativity flowing.