When planning for a day on the water it’s advisable to have the additional gear to ensure that your fun-filled day doesn’t turn into a disaster. Some of these items are mandatory and carry fines starting at $200 in Canada.  While not an exhaustive list, this is what we take when on a water adventure. 

Every canoe and kayak in Canada are required to have:

• A PFD or LifeJacket for every passenger
• A sound signalling device like a whistle or airhorn
• A bailer or bilge pump
• A buoyant heaving line
• A watertight flashlight

Source: Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety

Here is what I carry and where I carry it: 

In the cockpit: 

• Boat Safety Kit: By law, you need to have these items. In the kit is a throw line, a flashlight a mirror and a whistle. The case that holds everything in doubles as a bailing device as well (These components are all mandatory)
• Manual Bilge Pump. I like how fast this operates in ejecting water out of the boat. If you are in the water and need to empty your boat, you will want to do it fast!
• Water bottle. Staying Hydrated on the water is important! I love my Yeti Rambler it keeps drinks cold (and warm) for a long time and the seal is great. 
•  A Map. Many park canoe route maps are waterproof but some aren’t. You may want to consider getting a map case to protect it and keep it accessible. 
• Dry Bag this is a great place to store your keys, wallet and other items that shouldn’t get wet. Make sure you test out whatever bag you use before putting valuables in there.
• YakAttack Visibility Flag/Light I should probably do a review on this item itself. On the boy’s boats, we have this flag, especially on water that has motorboats as an added bit of safety kit. The flag can be seen at a great distance and there is a LED Light on top that can illuminate their position as well. This collapses down for storage when not in use

In the Dry Bag

• Wallet, Keys and other items on your person you don’t want getting wet!
• Headlight. If you are boating at sunrise or sunset you will not only need this to see what you are doing and where you are going but also as an indicator to other boats on the water. Especially if there are motor boats on the water. If I don’t need it to see I will shorten it and wear it on my upper arm as a marker
• Sawyer Mini Water Filtration. For those long days on the water, you might want to refill your water bottle. With the Sawyer mini, you can refill right where you are! 
• Schnacky Schnacks… Who wants soggy crackers with your salametti and cheese? 
• Fishing Licence, don’t forget to bring this if you are over 18 in Ontario!

In the hold

The hold are storage compartments available in some Kayaks. Usually they are separated from the cockpit and have more water resistance to them. Note dont trust that they are waterproof but generally items stay drier here in better quality boats. These can range from quite small in most boats to quite generous in more tripping models. 

• Extra rope and carabiners. This comes in handy in many situations. From tying up your boat to towing another. If you have it you will find a use for it!
• Telescopic Paddle. In the event one of us loses our paddle, I keep a spare emergency paddle in my hold. 
• Sponge. For small amounts of water in the boat, I have a sponge to help sop up and keep the inside of the boat relatively dry. Also helps to keep the kayaks clean after a paddle.
• Cable Lock I like to have this in the hold, so that if we need to take out at a different location we can lock the kayaks to a canoe stand, or tree

Secure your load!

One of the most important things with all your gear is having it accessible and ensuring that if you capsize you can retrieve them easily. For the safety kit and bilge pump, I use a length of paracord tied to a small carabiner so that I can clip them easily to the boats. That way they won’t be far from the boat if it flips or we need it. You should also ensure that your drybag has some air in it and it’s secured to the boat as well. 

What items do you consider essential in your canoe or kayak? I also carry items in the pockets of my PFD. Read all about those at Don’t go paddling without these Important safety items in your PFD…

This article contains affiliate links to retailers. By clicking on the links I can earn from qualifying purchases and this helps to support this page. Also, note that this article is what worked for me, I am by no means an expert. Please review your situation with a professional.