Equip Your Kayak with the Best Kayak Accessories
31st Aug 2023
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Kayaking has long been a treasured hobby among fishermen, hunters, and casual paddlers alike. Whether you’re hitting the water to fish, or you simply want to take a few laps around the local waterways, having a quality kayak with the right accessories can make your adventures more fun and safer, and they allow you to customize your experience to your liking. That’s why we decided to make the Flip-Kat®. With a convenient foldable design that allows it to be easily transported, and a stable build that makes it ideal for a variety of water environments, these kayaks are the ultimate companion for anyone who’s looking for any outdoor enthusiast. It can also be outfitted with an array of accessories to make them even more convenient to use. Read on to find out about the many accessories that you can attach to your Flip-Kat® to upgrade its capabilities even further.
Motors and Propulsion Systems
Though using a kayak typically means that you’ll have to paddle, or pedal to move through the water, a motor or propulsion system can make using your Flip-Kat® even easier. We recommend using the Bixpy K-1 motor due to its lightweight, yet durable frame. Of course, every motor needs a battery to power it, and for that we recommend the Bixpy PP-768 outboard battery for its equally portable, and low profile design. With this combo, you’ll be able to zip through at low or high speeds for hours.
What to Look for When Choosing a Motor
A motor can eliminate the tiresome aspect of having to manually operate your kayak with physical activity, turning your kayak into a little maneuverable boat instead.
When choosing a motor to fix onto your kayak, you want to make sure your kayak is compatible with your ideal model. Thankfully, the Flip-Kat® is able to be equipped with a variety of motor mounts, all of which you can browse on our site, so you can easily attach many different motors to it. Every motor you browse will most likely require a battery that will power it, and though you can charge these batteries the traditional way, you can also do so through the use of solar power, which can be very helpful when you’re spending all of your time outside already.
Solar-Powered Options and Battery Life
With solar power charging, you can get your battery ready to go as you enjoy your time on the water. You can get yourself an entire solar power motor kit in our online store so you can harness the power of the sun to keep your kayak running. Don’t forget to take a look at how far you can get with one battery charge either. It’s important to know just how far a charge can take you when you’re taking long trips, and if it runs out while you’re out there then you may have to paddle yourself a long way back.
Navigation Equipment
On a long trip, navigation equipment can help ensure that you know how to make your way back to shore. The first thing to look out for is a reliable GPS system. A good GPS will be able to do more than just keep track of your location as you kayak around your local body of water. However, before we get to that, you’re always going to need a place to keep your GPS when you’re out on your kayak. That’s why we recommend that you pick up the rotating platform S stand from our website. With the ability to rotate around, these stands will keep your GPS secure, and will let you view it from multiple angles. We also recommend picking up one of our mobi device holders. These stands can hold your phone if you plan on using it as a GPS.
GPS Features and Compasses
Now that you have a place to put your GPS, we can talk about what goes into a good GPS. Many high-end models will allow you to cycle through a variety of different types of maps, add waypoints and some even come with optional subscriptions that can let you text, and even call for help if you need it. Try to also keep a compass on hand while you’re out kayaking so you can always at least have an idea of which direction you’re traveling should you lose access to your GPS in new territory.
Emergency and Safety Equipment
It’s important to make safety your top priority whenever you hit the water on your kayak. Having safety equipment and a plan in case of an emergency can be essential to ensure that you stay safe. Though there are many pieces of safety equipment that are important to have, we recommend you pick up the visibility kit II with a miniport tracmount. This will help other boaters see you while you’re out on the water, ensuring that they avoid hitting you. We also recommend you pick up the Illuminate 360. This is a U.S. Coast Guard approved light fixture that requires no wiring or switches to operate. These lights can also help ensure that others can see you when you’re kayaking at night. There are many other things that you should have when it comes to kayak safety as well.
First Aid Kits, Flares and Life Jackets
The first thing you should always have on board is a first aid kit. Having basic supplies in there like bandages, and disinfectants can sometimes make a massive difference. Having a flare, or a flare gun on hand is always a good idea too, as you’ll be able to notify people of your location should you find yourself in a dangerous situation. Life jackets are typically required to be worn when you’re out on the water and for good reason. Should you fall in the water and find yourself unable to swim for whatever reason, a life jacket can keep you afloat until you get your bearings.
Communication Devices
When it comes to safety, having a quality communication device can ensure that you stay connected to others while you’re out on the water. Having a way to contact others ensures that you’ll never be truly alone in case disaster strikes. You’ll be able to call for help faster in case anything happens. If you go out on long trips all the time, then it may be worth it to invest in a VHF radio. These radios allow you to quickly contact other boats in your area, along with marinas, bridges, and even the United States Coast Guard. This can be essential when it comes to staying safe in case of an emergency. In our inventory, you can find mounts that can accommodate your VHF radio, so you can easily take it with you on your next kayak adventure.
Paddling Accessories
Most of the time, your kayak is going to be powered by your own paddling ability. Though this can sometimes be a tiring experience, paddling accessories can make it a little more bearable for long trips, if you don’t have a motor. We recommend you pick up the QuikGrip paddle clip star mount. These clips can keep your paddles secure as you’re busy doing something else. We carry these clips in both 28mm and 32mm, so you can choose the one that best fits your paddles. With your clips handy, we can now talk about what makes a good paddle, and some other helpful paddle accessories.
Paddles, Sprayskirts, and Kayaking Gloves
The first thing to consider is the length of your paddles. The wider your boat, the longer your paddles will need to be to move it. Your height also needs to be taken into consideration when looking at paddle sizes. A taller person may need longer paddles. You should also consider getting a sprayskirt. A sprayskirt is made to cover the space in your kayak where you sit, leaving only a space for your waist to fit. This helps keep water out of your kayak, which can help prevent your kayak from getting full of water and potentially sinking. Having a nice pair of kayak gloves can help prevent your hands from getting calluses and blisters as you paddle, and from harmful weather conditions.
Anchoring Systems
If you plan on using your kayak to go fishing, or you just want to hop off and take a swim somewhere, then you may want to invest in an anchor for your kayak. There are a few things to look out for when it comes to shopping for anchors. If you plan on kayaking through shallow waters, then you may not need a heavy anchor, but if you plan on kayaking and anchoring in deep water, then you will need a heavier anchor with more line to keep your kayak still. Aside from that, there are manty different kinds of anchors, and they all specialize in anchoring you into different terrain, so you’ll have to choose the best one for your specific area.
Drift Chutes
You may also want to invest in a drift chute. A drift chute will slow your kayak’s drift. This means that if you don’t want to anchor yourself, you can get a drift chute to help prevent your kayak from drifting, especially in windy weather. This can be especially helpful when you’re trying to fish off of your kayak on a windy day.
Fishing Equipment
Speaking of fishing, throwing a line in off of your Flip-Kat® is made even easier when you make use of quality fishing equipment. We recommend you pick up the rod holder R, or any of the other rod holders that we carry. to keep your rod secure when you can’t hold it. These holders are strong enough to hang on even in the most intense conditions. We also recommend grabbing the Garmin Fishfinder mount R-Lock. As we’ll talk about soon, fish finders are incredibly important when it comes to fishing, and these mounts can safely secure your fish finder as you paddle away on your kayak. Now we can talk about how fish finders work and some other fishing equipment that might be helpful when you’re looking for a great catch.
Fish Finders, Coolers, and Nets
One piece of equipment you can get to up your fishing game is a fish finder. Fish finders send ultrasonic waves under the kayak as you move. If they detect a fish, a very weak reflection will return to the kayak, and the fish finder will tell you that a fish is nearby. Having a cooler on standby is essential for any day of fishing as well. After fishing up a keeper, you’ll need a nice cool place to keep it fresh. Of course, you’ll also need a net to secure any fish that you reel up too.
Personal Comfort and Convenience
There are a few things to consider when it comes to your personal comfort and convenience when out on your kayak as well. If you want to stay comfy in style, then feel free to check out our T-shirts. Our clothing is made to look great and keep you covered while you’re out on your adventure. A nice kayak seat can also help you stay comfortable on long trips. Try to find a comfy, stable seat that only takes up a limited amount of space. You’ll also want to remember to bring your sunscreen and any bug repellent that’s relevant to the area. Make sure you don’t forget to bring a cooler for your food and water supplies. If you go out on a long trip you’re going to want to bring plenty of water, and some lunch for the day.
Not everyone is going to have the same preferences when it comes to their kayak accessories. Depending on where you plan to kayak and what you plan to do, you might need a whole different suite of accessories than someone else. Regardless, it’s always important to have the right accessories for your trip to ensure that you stay safe and have fun. To find the best kayaking accessories for your Flip-Kat® browse our vast online selection.
