Dave Miller’s book, The Complete Paddler, offers detailed planning information, which relieves me of unnecessary anxiety. I am currently absorbed in the section entitled: Clothing, Gear, Hardware, Water, Food, and Shelter. Yep, that about covers my interests right now because I need to know what I need in order to compose and mail off my sponsorship requests.
Although I just purchased a sea kayak recently, I have my heart set on the Eddyline Shasta. Andy Bugh paddled a Shasta on his Expedition4Educationtrek of the same route (all the way to the Gulf), and loved it. Bob Bellingham is currently on the river in the same boat, and likes it as well. Sea kayaks have a smaller cockpit and are quite confining.
Expedition4Education – 2011
The Shasta is a tandem kayak that can be adapted to a single seat, converting the boat into a more spacious craft for a three month solo journey. Eddyline is a family run outfit in Seattle. They recycle their scrap plastic! I am hoping they respond to my request. In the meantime, I will need to mail many more letters to kayak companies who offer a similar design.
Aside from the clothing, i.e., paddling jacket, pants, shorts, sandals, hats, shirts, and under wear, etc., Dave offers a list of gear that is extensive, but essential. From his list I will be able to direct my letters to specific potential sponsors requesting needed items for the expedition. The list is long, but kind of interesting to look at, at least for me.
Camp gear:
- Tent
- Plastic tarp for use as inside tent liner
- Bivy bag (optional)
- Extra nylon parachute cord and tent stakes
- Small tube of seam sealer
- Sleeping bag
- Lightweight fleece bag (to be used as a liner or alone on warm nights)
- Self-inflating pad with repair kit
- Stove fuel
- Fuel bottles
- Cook kit: nesting pots
- Large spoon
- Large pocketknife
- Biodegradable soap
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Water purifier with extra filters
- Small plastic shovel or toilet trowel
- Small pruning shears or small machete
- Clothespins and line
- Water bags and bottles
- Collapsible water bucket
- Backpacker’s towel
- Seasonings, pump-spray margarine, and small bottle of olive oil
- Backpacker’s freeze-dried fare
- Bag meats: tuna, chicken, salmon
- Energy snacks, breakfast bars
- Powdered drink mix coffee and/or tea, powdered milk/creamer/sweetener
- Plastic tub of baby hand-wipes, toilet paper
- Bathroom bags for areas where paddlers must manage their own waste
Miscellaneous Gear
- Glasses (two pair), reading
- Sunglasses (two pair)
- Eyeglasses strap (
- Map case for kayak deck
- Waterproof watch with alarm
- GPS unit with spare batteries
- Marine band two-way radio with NOAA weather band (waterproof)
- Dog tags with name, address, phone number, and blood type
- Camera (water resistant/proof)
- First-aid kit, snakebite kit
- I am adding “bear spray”
- Medications: antibiotics, ear drops, and eye drops
- Cell phone in small dry box with charging equipment
- I am adding “thin film solar panels”
- Medium-sized dry box for odds and ends
- Assortment of small and medium carabiner clips
- Binoculars
- Duct tape, tube of Goop, tube of marine hand-moldable epoxy, multipurpose tool
- Dry bags for deck: light solid color, one with backpack straps
- Small stainless steel thermos
- Fishing pole and real, tackle including a small lure assortment, salt minnows
- Extra lighters/fire starters
- Life vest with compass, survival gear, small boat horn
- Kayak with all the essentials: bilge pump, paddle float, sponge, bailer, throw line bag, flotation bags, and extra rope, bike cable and lock with extra keys.
Are you overwhelmed yet? Yes, I will need a bigger boat. 🙂
loveyourbigmuddy expeditions 
I would add bow & stern lights to your list Janet for running at dusk or at night, which can be nice especially in the moonlight. Having a handheld strong light/headlamp can also help if there are other boaters on the water or to flash on the banks or at navigation aids.
How exciting!!!
Excellent advice!