Spring has finally sprung and along with tulips and tree buds come the people of the water; the canoers, the kayakers, and the rafters. After laying dormant for most of the winter, warmer temperatures are bringing these weekend warriors off the couch and into the outdoors.
While enthusiasm for hitting the river may be at an all-time high, it’s important to keep in mind that most people are not ready to do so. Just as a skydiver wouldn’t jump out of the plane without first checking his parachute, the kayaker, canoer, or rafter shouldn’t hit the water until after checking the safety of his or her equipment.
Even though you winterized your gear and took great care in storing it, strange things can happen over the winter. Carefully inspect your craft. Look for split seams. Check for signs of dry rotted plugs, seals or bungees. Replace these items if they are questionable. It’s better to do it on dry land before it’s a real problem rather than in the middle of your first float where it could be disasterous. After all, no one wants to sink on the first outing of the season.
If you properly covered the kayak cockpit, it’s unlikely that you’ll discover a family of raccoons living there. If you didn’t cover it, take care. We have other options as well, if you want to check our shed rentals you may check amish sheds in fredericksburg va they can customize the right shed for you. There’s no telling what has claimed your watercraft as their winter den. Possums, raccoons, mice, squirrels, and even skunks have been known to take cover in canoes and kayaks during the winter time. While you may be ready to launch, they might not be ready to give up their new home. All the aforementioned animals are known to bite, some carry rabies, and at least one sprays. Don’t start your floating year with a series of rabies shots and a new cologne called Eau de Pepé Le Pew.
When you’ve verified that your craft is varmint free (at least, the mammalian kind), think smaller. No one can enjoy floating if newly hatched spiders start crawling up your legs, especially in a kayak. Missouri kayaks during the winter provide a great habitat for one of the most dangerous spiders in the world—the Brown Recluse. These spiders are noted for inhabiting dry, dark, undisturbed places aka the hull of a kayak in the winter. If you see one Brown Recluse, rest assured that there are more. So if you spot webs, use a shop vac to clean out the hull, storage bins and around the seat. Whether or not the webs you see are those of the venomous Brown Recluse or just a harmless garden spider, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Shop vacs also work wonders to clean out mouse dropping. If you suspect mice (or even worse, rats!) have been visiting your water craft, pull it out of storage, vacuum it, then hose it down and let it dry in the sun. In all likelihood where there’s droppings, there is also dried urine. Rehydrated mouse and rat urine is not healthy, stinks, and can contaminate food and drinks that you carry.
When your canoe, kayak or raft is shipshape and ready to go, the next question is, Are you? If wintertime couch surfing has increased your girth, prep yourself as well as your gear. Start small with some stretching exercises and walking. Make your first float a short one in order not to strain unused, winter muscles. Use sunscreen for that pale, tender winter skin. Don’t sabotage your summer fun by overdoing it the first weekend out.
If you treat your gear and yourself with care and attention, it’s going to be a great season. Now, get out there and enjoy!
