If you’re a kayaker, you know that keeping your kayak in good condition is essential to enjoying your time on the water. One of the ways you can keep your kayak in good shape is by using kayak plugs. But what are kayak plugs for? And how do you use them?
Kayak plugs are used to keep water from coming into the kayak through the cockpit. They are inserted into the hole in the cockpit where your body goes and create a watertight seal. This keeps you and your belongings dry, even when you’re paddling through rough waters.
I’ll answer those questions and more. Read on to learn more about kayak plugs and how they can help keep your kayak in good condition.
Table of Contents
What Are Kayak Plugs Made Of?
Here I’ve listed some of the common materials from which kayak plugs are made out:
1. Rubber
This is a popular material for kayak plugs because it can easily adjust to the size of your cockpit.
It also forms a tight fit with little effort, so no extra tools are needed to insert the plug in place. Rubber kayak plugs work best when they have been pre-stretched.
2. Foam
This is another popular material for kayak plugs because it is lightweight and easy to use. It can create a watertight seal with little effort, so no extra tools are needed.
The only downside to foam kayak plugs is that they don’t last as long as rubber ones.
3. Neoprene
Neoprene kayak plugs are the most expensive option but provide the highest quality.
What Are Kayak Plugs For?
Kayak plugs keep water from coming into the kayak through the cockpit. The plugs create a watertight seal around you when in use so you and your belongings stay dry.
They are inserted into the hole in the cockpit where your body goes, and then they create a watertight seal all around you. This prevents water from getting into your kayak when paddling through rough waters.
Plugs can be used in a variety of situations.
1. Kayaking Through Rough Waters
If you’re kayaking in rough waters, the waves can splash over the sides of your boat and through the cockpit.
This is when kayak plugs are used to prevent water from getting inside of the boat where it can cause damage or discomfort to yourself or your belongings. This also helps keep you and your belongings dry.
2. Kayaking In Calmer Waters
Kayak plugs can be used to prevent water from getting inside of the boat even when kayaking through calmer waters.
This is especially helpful if you want to keep any food or drinks that you have with your dry, but it’s also good for keeping other items such as clothing, equipment, and electronics dry.
3. Mixing It Up
Plugs don’t just have to go in the cockpit of your boat. You can also use them to protect other holes on your kayak such as the drain hole or scupper holes.
Inserting plugs into these holes can help keep water out when it gets in through the main cockpit opening.
How Do You Use Kayak Plugs?
Here are the steps for using a kayak plug:
1. Insert The Plug
Most plugs are inserted by pushing them into the cockpit with your fingers or palm of your hand, but some plugs require a special insertion device for this purpose.
These devices usually look like a screwdriver and can be found at any kayak supply store near you.
2. Secure The Plug
Once you’ve inserted the kayak plug, hold it in place by tightening a strap or tie on either side of the cockpit.
This can be done using a Velcro-type fastener, which is more durable and long-lasting than traditional ties or straps even when they get wet.
3. Seal Around Your Body To Create a Watertight Seal
Once the plug is in place and secured, pull the straps tight around your body to create a seal all around you. There should be no gaps between your body and the kayak where water could come in.
Once you have your kayak plugged in, stay dry by keeping your body in place and not moving around too much so that you don’t disrupt the kayak plug’s seal. Kayaking is fun, but only if you’re dry while doing it!
How Do You Secure a Kayak Plug?
There are several different ways to secure your kayak plug.
1. Tie And Strap
Secure the kayak plug by tying a quick-release knot at the end of your tie or strap and then pulling tight. This can be done with a traditional type of strap that you pull to tighten, or it can be done with the kind of strap that uses a Velcro-type fastener.
2. Belt
Keep your kayak plug secured by pulling a strap that is connected to the belt around your waist and then attaching it to the boat. This not only keeps you secure but also helps you stay in place without having to use your hands.
3. Carabiner
Clip a carabiner to either side of the cockpit and then attach it to the belt around your waist. This is a very secure way to keep a kayak plug in place, but it could be challenging if you’re wearing bulky clothing.
How Do Plugs Keep Your Kayak in Good Condition?
Plugs keep your kayak in good condition by keeping it dry. This is important for a number of reasons:
- If you submerge, water can get into the electronics and cause corrosion or malfunctions.
- Mold and mildew will grow on your wet gear if it stays damp for too long, which rots or damages the material.
- Rotting gear is not safe to use and can make your kayak unsafe.
Since plugs keep your kayak dry, they prevent all of these issues from happening, keeping your boat in good condition and keeping you safe while you’re on the water.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read this blog post, you should have a better idea of what are kayak plugs for, and how they can be used. Use this information to keep your boat in good condition and yourself safe while out on the water.
FAQs
Q1. Is it hard to lose a plug in the water?
This depends on how securely you attach your kayak plugs. You can secure them by tying and strapping, pulling them tight with a belt, or by attaching them to another device such as a carabiner clip. If you use these methods and keep everything situated until you’re off the water, there’s little chance of losing a plug.
Q2. What makes kayak plugs better than dry sacks?
Kayak plugs do the same job as dry bags, so it might seem like they’re not unlike each other at all. However, it is true that you can use one or the other, but not both (unless you want to risk water damage). That being the case, kayak plugs are generally more effective because they seal tighter and are better at keeping your kayak dry.