skirts for kayaks

1. Finding the Perfect Fit: Measuring Your Kayak for a Spray Skirt As an avid kayaker, having a properly fitted spray skirt is essential for staying dry on the water. But figuring out your kayak's cockpit dimensions can be tricky if you don't know where to start. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the entire process of measuring your shirts for kayaks, using techniques I've honed over many years of paddling. Why Proper Measurement Matters A spray skirt that's too loose can impede your stroke by getting caught under your paddle. It also allows water to splash in, defeating its purpose entirely! On the other hand, a skirt that's too tight makes getting in and out of your kayak a struggle.

2. It can even restrict your leg movement, which affects maneuverability. Having a spray skirt that fits just right makes paddling infinitely more enjoyable. The skirt seals out water completely while giving you full freedom of movement. Once you have your measurements, you can shop for a skirt confidently knowing it will fit your kayak perfectly. Materials Needed Measuring your cockpit accurately requires just a few simple tools: ●Measuring tape - Get a flexible cloth or metal tape measure. Make sure it's long enough to fully span the cockpit. ●Pen and paper - Write down the measurements as you go. Round to the nearest 1/4 inch. ●Flashlight - Illuminates the cockpit so you can see inside clearly. ●Ruler or straight edge - Ensures your measurements are straight across the cockpit.

3. Step 1: Measure the Cockpit Length Start by measuring the length of the cockpit from front to back. ●Turn the kayak upside down and peer inside with a flashlight if needed. ●Place the end of your tape measure at the very front of the cockpit rim. ●Stretch the tape straight back to the rear of the rim. ●Note the measurement and write it down. Round to the nearest 1/4 inch. ●Repeat 2-3 times to ensure accuracy. For example, my cockpit measured 36 1/2 inches long. Make sure to measure along the center line so your length measurement is accurate. Step 2: Measure the Cockpit Width Next, measure across the width of the cockpit at its widest point. ●Keep the kayak upside down. ●Place the tape measure straight across the cockpit from rim to rim. ●Use a ruler or straight edge if needed to keep the tape measure perfectly perpendicular across. ●Note the max width and record it. My cockpit width was 21 inches. ●Take 2-3 width measurements at different spots to account for any variances. Step 3: Calculate Total Cockpit Area Now multiply your length times width to get the total cockpit area. ●In my example, it would be 36.5 inches long x 21 inches wide = 766.5 square inches of area.

4. ●Make sure to use your own exact measurements when calculating cockpit area. Those few tenths of an inch really add up! Knowing the total square inch area will ensure you select a skirt with proper coverage. Skirt sizing charts usually list both the length/width dimensions and overall coverage area. Step 4: Identify Your Kayak's Cockpit Style There are two main cockpit styles for recreational kayaks: ●Keyhole - Elongated front tapered to a rounded rear. My example measurements were for a keyhole cockpit. ●Oval - Pure oval shape with no tapered front. The style affects how the spray skirt fits, so be sure to note it. You may also have a day hatch opening at the front of the cockpit, which requires a compatible skirt. Step 5: Consider Your Body Type Too Along with the kayak's dimensions, think about your own height and size when selecting a skirt size. ●Taller paddlers need more coverage in the front-to-back direction. ●Broader paddlers need more width-wise. Don't size too tight - leave some wiggle room for comfort and ease getting in/out of the cockpit.