I found the problem with the dry bag. Small little tear at the seam unnoticed before I set out. I filled it up with water to find the leak and even then it was hard to spot. The problem with the sit on type of kayak is everything on deck sits in about 4 inches of water all the time.

Good idea on the desicant packs. It would help were condensation occurs for sure. I wonder if you can buy those in bulk ?

Yup. Lesson well learned. I won't make that mistake again I assure you.



Ottawa river. As you can see in the first two, it's usually pretty far across. That's why I switched to a sit on top model kayak. If you swamp, It's no fun getting all the way across to the shore to drain the boat. Every once in a while a motor boat would speed by, but not with enough frequency to rely on it for help.

Ocassionally the river branches off into smaller areas like in the third pic with tiny little islands everywhere. Once I gets my fishing license sorted I will be going back to that spot. Fish were jumping out of the water all around and I could see them swiming around the rocks. It may not look it, but the water there is very deep.

Well said, Stephen.
My apologies, I overstepped my bounds.

Gorilla tape isn't good for seal, it doesn't stretch to conform to shape. Regular electrical tape is a much better choice.

Good discussion.

I am not a fan of Altoids survival kits myself, however for the OP's purposes, double bagging the kit in small Ziploc brand double zippered bags then wrapped with an elastic to keep the plastic compact is cheaper, more effective, much easier and less hassle then other methods of wrapping the kit in various bandages of tape, ranger bands etc.

My father was a Navy helicopter pilot (starting in the 40s). He flew mostly over water doing air-sea rescue and sub hunting. I remember his Navy pocket survival kits were special plastic boxes that were wrapped in was appeared to be electrical tape. I never tested one, but I expect they were fairly watertight or they wouldn't have been very helpful.

One of the keys for me, especially when I'm paddling, is that I want my PSK on my body, not in the boat. One nice thing about an altoids tin is that it's compact, and will fit in most of my pockets easily. I always have a kit in a pelican box when I'm in a boat, but I always have the basics on my person too. some boats are designed not to sink, but that doesn't mean they won't float away.

Maybe...Maybe not. Just because the government issues it to you doesn't mean it will work as designed.(or at all for that matter) It is all made by the lowest bidder as they say. I have boxes of stuff issued that isn't very helpful