Salamander Bak Yak Instructions

The Salamander Bak Yak is a product designed to help you carry your kayak on your back by using harness straps and a backpack like design. Made for long distance treks with a whitewater kayak on your back, the Bak Yak is designed for comfort and helps to reduce the strain on your spine from carrying these awkward items. Weighing less than 30 ounces in total and stuffing away into a small and easily portable sack, the Bak Yak makes a convenient addition to any kayaking trips where the boats must be hiked in.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take the Bak Yak out of its stuff bag and lay it out on a flat wide surface.

    • 2

      Stretch out each of the nylon straps so that they all lay flat on the ground, make sure the Bak Yak is shoulder strap down and nylon strap up.

    • 3

      Lay your kayak on top of the Bak Yak, open side up and with the underside facing down and on the Bak Yak itself. Try to place the center of the kayak as near as possible to the back frame of the Bak Yak.

    • 4

      Begin with the top nylon straps. Find a place to catch the straps on the kayak, a handhold works well. Connect the two top straps around the upper part of the kayak, tighten the straps until you have a snug but not tight fit.

    • 5

      Next do the bottom straps. Tighten them to a snug fit as well but don't tighten all the way yet.

    • 6

      Connect the middle nylon straps and tighten all the way, so that the kayak is tightly strapped on to the Bak Yak in the middle section. You can use the middle straps to secure a bag of equipment in the seat of the kayak by crossing over it with the straps.

    • 7

      Tighten both the top and bottom straps after you have tightened the middle.

    • 8

      Stand the kayak and the Bak Yak up straight and maneuver it to your back. Having a friend help with this makes it easier.

    • 9

      Put your arms through the shoulder holds just like you would with a standard backpack, lifting the kayak up off the ground and onto your back.

    • 10

      Secure and tighten the waist harness of the Bak Yak, transferring the majority of the weight to your hips and not your back.

    • 11

      Secure and tighten the chest strap of the Bak Yak, used to keep the kayak and the harness as tightly close to your body as possible.

    • 12

      Trek to your drop-in point.