This clip is a great example of how not to pack your kayak. Notice the huge (and heavy) container of water packed on top of the boat? Sitting that high out of the water, it is causing his boat to become very unstable.

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In recent years, sea kayaking has been growing in popularity throughout North America and especially in Maine. Sea kayakers are regularly observed along our coastal shores; and sea kayak guides and outfitters are becoming a significant part of the working waterfront, with commercial operations spanning from Kittery to Calais. With such popularity, the potential for kayak collisions with larger vessels increases dramatically.

A personal floatation device (PFD) or life jacket eventually wears out and needs to be replaced. You know the signs - broken zippers, frayed webbing. But there’s a less obvious way that your PFD can be damaged and become less reliable. The cover fabric can become weak from extensive exposure to sunlight. How can you tell if your PFD has a bad case of sunburn?