Sea kayaks are wonderfully able boats, allowing their owners to explore coastlines, islands, bays and rivers, including many places that would be too dangerous for most other types of boats. Given the endless possibilities of trips that can be taken in sea kayaks, especially multi-day touring trips with camping gear on board, where to go and how to plan for it can be confusing. All sea kayak trips begin with maps, or more appropriately, nautical charts, which are marine maps that show every detail of a coastline and its waters. Knowing how to read maps and nautical charts is essential to planning a kayak trip. Here’s an overview of the basics that should help you work out the logistics next time you find yourself irresistibly drawn to an intriguing stretch of seashore.
The amount of time you have available for your trip is your first step in determining where you can go, as you must be able to determine how long it will take to paddle your intended route. From day trips or short overnight camping trips, you should be able to estimate the speed you are able to travel. Most sea kayakers find they can average about 3 miles per hour in a loaded boat. Given this average speed, you might expect to cover 20-21 miles in a day, assuming 7 hours of paddling and time allowed for stopping on interesting beaches and taking breaks for lunch, swimming, etc. On long trips of a week or more, you might assume you can average 20 miles a day, but you might not want to paddle every day if you find a great campsite or there is a good place for some inland hiking. Given this average, you might safely say you can make 100 miles per week without any strain and allowing plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings. A determined kayaker, of course, could double that weekly distance if needed, but for touring this is a good average.
Use the scale of miles on the map to calculate how far along a coastline you can go in the allotted time you have to devote to the trip. Land maps measure distance in statute miles, which equal 5,280 feet. Nautical charts, however, use nautical miles as units of measure. This is because one nautical mile equals one degree of latitude north or south of the equator and this method is more straightforward for mariners who think in terms of latitude and longitude coordinates. One nautical mile equals just a fraction over 6,000 feet, so a nautical mile is longer than a statute mile.
Nautical charts also convey much valuable information about the nature of a coastline, such as bottom composition, water depths, and underwater obstructions such as reefs. Dangerous surf can be a problem for kayakers negotiating a rocky, exposed coastline, and from the nautical chart you can learn if such conditions are to be expected.
Other important information for trip planning can be gleaned from guidebooks written for mariners operating in the region. Some areas are more popular with kayakers and you will find books written specifically for sea kayakers. In most other places, however, there will be cruising guides for sailors or coast pilot books written for commercial navigators. These books are invaluable for their detailed information on regional weather patterns, prevailing winds, and ocean currents, all of which can greatly affect your ability to paddle along a coastline and the daily mileage you can expect to achieve.
Knowing how far you can go each day and where the next town or marina might be located is also essential for planning your list of food supplies and the amount of drinking water you must carry. The weather to be expected will determine the other gear you carry, such as tents, sleeping bags and warm clothing.
Armed with detailed knowledge about a coastline in advance of a trip, you can go just about anywhere in the world in a sea kayak. The key to a successful and comfortable trip is all in the advance planning.
