The Gear House

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Not sure what to take when you go on your canoeing trip? Perhaps this will answer your questions.

Boat Items
Maps and map case with tiedowns
Compass
GPS (optional)
Bow and stern ropes
Carabiners to attach bow/stern ropes
Bailer(s) with attachment clips
Throwbag(s)
Paddles and spare or alternative paddles
Ties for spare paddles
Tiedown rope or straps for gear
Knee pads, installed or separate
Seat pads (optional)
Spraycover (optional)
Flotation bags (optional)

Gear Containers
Waterproof portage packs or plastic barrels with harness
Drybag for wet tent
Drybag, drypack, barrel or waterproof duffel for food and smelly stuff
Drybag for fuel and stove
Drybag for sleeping bag
Pelican boxes or similar for cameras, etc.
Waterproof fanny packs for survival gear/items to keep handy

Emergency Stuff
Rescue ropes
Pulleys
Carabiners
Saw
First Aid kit to suit trip location and length - in waterproof container
Misc. emergency kit - - signal mirror, flares, notebook, etc
Firestarter

Boat Repairs
Repair stuff must be kept dry in waterproof bag or box!
Awl or other tool capable of piercing hull
Wire, strong cord
Seat hanger bolts and nuts, gunwale screws
Leatherman Wave with Tool Adapter and bits to suit boat fastenings.
Duct tape
Drysuit gaskets (long trips), wetsuit repair adhesive.
Fiberglass cloth, resin, hardener, applicator, rubber gloves, sandpaper, plastic wrap, etc.
Five-minute epoxy
Fine sandpaper for paddle handles

Miscellaneous Repair
Sewing awl, needles and strong thread
Gear Aid Kit or similar
Stove repair parts
Zipper sliders, hip belt buckle

Personal Gear
PFD (aka life jacket), with knife, whistle, firestarter attached
Wetsuit or drysuit or paddling jacket and pants depending on location
Paddling gloves to suit conditions
Footwear that won’t come off in water.
Wetsuit booties and liner socks if needed
Helmet if appropriate
Sunhat
Camp rain/wind gear if needed in addition to paddling clothes
Synthetic fiber long underwear (2 sets, or as appropriate for climate)
Polyester fleece top and bottoms, (2 sets, or as appropriate for climate)
Light nylon river pants
Shorts if appropriate for climate/bugs
Quick drying light long-sleeve shirt
Warm hat if appropriate
Kneepads, especially if renting canoes
Socks — wool, several pairs
Hiking boots
Camp footwear
Underwear
Bug jacket
Night attire

Miscellaneous Personal Gear
Earplugs
Dental floss
Bug repellent
Sunglasses and lanyard
Spare glasses and lanyard
Contact lens items
Sunscreen and lip stuff
Toilet paper
Wash kit, small towel.
Handkerchief
Water bottle
Camera, film, lenses
Binoculars
Crazy Creek Chair (optional)
Headlamp, batteries
Matches or lighter
Pocket knife

Camp Gear
Tent
Tarp, guylines, stakes
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Food hoisting equipment — pulley and throwbag rope
Dish washing items
Water carrier, folding basin
Water treatment device
Shower bag (optional)
Pots, cutlery, spatula, mugs, frypan
Condiments
Stove and fuel
Folding firebox or tray (optional)
Plastic trowel for toilet.
Plastic bag(s) for garbage

Obviously the gear listed above is not what is required for every trip you ever go on. What we have mentioned above is just an idea to get you started. The only way to know what kind of gear you are going to need on a trip is to go on a trip! When you get back from the trip, after telling your friends how awesome it was and downloading the pictures from your digital camera, make a list of everything you took that was useful or needed and a list of things that you should have taken that you could have used. Also take a look at the stuff that you took but was not needed. Get rid of that gear and swap in the things you really needed.

Stay Dry Out There!