How to Make Kayak Loading Outriggers

Sea and touring kayaks are made to handle a lot of gear and supplies. It isn't always easy getting this gear into or onto the kayak, particularly if you're loading it from a dock or from shore with surf or swells coming in. To make the kayak more stable during the loading process, use an outrigger on the opposite side of the kayak (the surf or swell side) to produce enough stability to the kayak to load it without tips or spills.

Things You'll Need

  • Spare paddles
  • Paddle floats
  • Marine plywood sheet or flat, wide board
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Position the kayak so that it's perpendicular to the shore and surf. Bring it up on the shore as much as possible until you ready the outrigger. If loading the kayak at a dock, tie it to the docks and prep the outriggers.

    • 2

      Inflate the paddle floats (two is best, but one will work). These are specially designed air bladders with a valve hose. As you inflate the paddle floats, slide one blade of the spare paddle into the paddle float's blade pocket. Inflate until the paddle float is full and the blade is stuck in the sleeve due to the increased air pressure.

    • 3

      Slide the kayak parallel to the swells, sliding the paddle floats to the surf-swell side of the kayak. Slide the non-float blade of the paddle under the kayak's deck straps (usually bungee cords). Make sure that the outriggers are on the water, supporting the kayak. If at a dock, the outriggers (floats) go away from the dock.

    • 4

      Load your kayak as the floats-outriggers support the boat. If loading at a dock, use a flat wide board such as marine plywood as a deck between the dock and kayak. Roll heavy gear down the wood to the kayak.

    • 5

      Break down the spare paddle-outriggers by deflating the paddle floats and taking the paddle apart (if it's a sectional).