1. Copyright © 2010 by Boat Ed. All rights reserved
Copyright © 2010 by Boat Ed. All rights reserved. No part of this Paddlesports America PowerPoint® presentation may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any process without permission in writing from Boat Ed.

3. Chapter Two Before You Get Underway

4. Key Topics Know Your Paddlecraft’s Capacity Filing a “Float Plan”
Transporting Your Paddlecraft
Conducting a Pre-departure Check
Dressing for a Paddlecraft Trip

5. Key Topics (cont.) Loading Gear in a Paddlecraft
Maintaining and Storing Your Paddlecraft
Knowing Your Responsibilities When Paddling With Others
Hand and Paddle Signals

6. Objectives You should be able to…
Explain how to find a paddlecraft’s capacity.
Prepare a proper float plan.
Describe the correct way to transport a canoe or kayak.

7. Objectives (cont.)
Describe the proper way to dress for a paddlecraft trip.
Explain how to load gear into a paddlecraft properly.
Explain how to maintain and store a paddlecraft.
Name the responsibilities you have when paddling with others.

8. Paddlecraft’s Capacity
A boat’s capacity is the maximum number of people and/or weight the boat can carry safely in good weather.

9. Paddlecraft’s Capacity (cont.)
Where to find capacity information:
On the boat
Owner’s manual
Other sources

10. Paddlecraft’s Capacity (cont.)
For boats with no capacity plate:
Number of people = vessel length (ft.) X vessel width (ft.) 15

11. Paddlecraft’s Capacity (cont.)
Example: canoe is 17 feet long and 3 feet wide
Number of people = 17 feet long X 3 feet wide
Number of people = 51
Number of people = passengers
(no more than 3 passengers) 15 15

12. Filing a Float Plan At the very least, tell:
Description of the boats in the group
Who will be traveling in group
Destination and route, and expected time of departure and return

13. Transporting Your Paddlecraft
Choosing a Cartop Carrier Rack
Choose a carrier rack designed for a canoe or kayak.
Do not use the luggage rack that came with vehicle without attaching a canoe or kayak carrier rack to it.

14. Transporting Your Paddlecraft (cont.)
Mounting the Boat on a Cartop Rack
Use a long piece of carpet.
Transport boat upside
down.

15. Transporting Your Paddlecraft (cont.)
Steps for loading:
Lift boat and
position bow.
Lift stern, push
boat forward.

16. Transporting Your Paddlecraft (cont.)
Fasten the boat securely to the rack.
Attach a strap to one side of rack. Pull strap across boat. Secure strap to other side of rack.
Attach a strap to bow and front bumper of vehicle.
Attach a strap to stern and vehicle’s rear bumper.

17. Transporting Your Paddlecraft (cont.)
Tips:
When transporting boat over a long distance, stop periodically to examine straps.
If you are taking a one-way trip, arrange for a vehicle with a carrier rack to meet you at destination.

18. Transporting Your Paddlecraft (cont.)
Transporting a Motor
If motor is separate
If motor is attached to canoe

19. Conducting a Pre-Departure Check
Check the weather forecast and water conditions.
Check for leaks in the hull.
Drain all water from inside the boat.

20. Pre-Departure Check (cont.)
Make sure all paddlers and passengers wear:
A life jacket with whistle attached
Appropriate clothing
A hat or helmet if white-water paddling
Sunscreen
Be sure gear is secured properly to keep it from shifting or falling overboard.
Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative.

21. Dressing for a Paddlecraft Trip
Selecting Your Clothing
Dress according to the temperature of the water, not the open air.
120° Rule: If the sum of the air temperature and water temperature is less than 120° F., wear a wetsuit or drysuit while paddling.

22. Dressing for a Paddlecraft Trip (cont.)
Dress in layers.
First layer
Second layer
Outer garment

23. Dressing for a Paddlecraft Trip (cont.)
Other Items
Hat or helmet
Footwear
Gloves

24. Loading Gear in a Paddlecraft

25. Maintaining and Storing
Maintaining Your Paddlecraft
Examine the boat in the water to check for cracks or leaks.
Examine hull when the boat is out of the water.
Check and tighten screws and deck fittings.

26. Maintaining and Storing (cont.)
Check paddles for breaks, dents, weak points.
Check lines and grab handles for fraying.
For kayaks, check flotation air bags to be sure they stay inflated.

27. Maintaining and Storing (cont.)
Storing Your Paddlecraft
Store boat, paddles, and life jackets in a dry place out of the sun.
Store the boat off the ground and upside down.
Deflate air bags.

28. Maintaining and Storing (cont.)
Lay paddles flat on a shelf or across two support bars.
Do not hang plastic boats by toggles or grab loops for extended periods.
Refer to owner’s manual for
recommended maintenance
schedules.
Owner’s
Manual

29. Know Your Responsibilities
Before leaving:
Assess the skills of all paddlers in the group.
Review your pre-departure
checklist. Make sure you have
everything you need for a safe trip.
Discuss safety. Review the following information with your passengers or other boats in your group:

30. Know Your Responsibilities (cont.)
Location of all emergency equipment and how to use them
The need for everyone on
board to wear a life jacket
Laws about careless, reckless,
or negligent operation, and
Homeland Security measures

31. Know Your Responsibilities (cont.)
Boater courtesy
Emergency procedures for responding to a capsize or fall overboard
Location and description of known local hazards along intended route

32. Know Your Responsibilities (cont.)
Review ways to communicate among all members of the group:
How to signal for help
Whistle signals—make sure everyone
in your group knows and uses the
same signals.

33. Know Your Responsibilities (cont.)
Hand signals
I’m OK
Help/Emergency

34. Know Your Responsibilities (cont.)
Stop
All Clear

35. Review Questions What does a boat’s capacity information tell you?
Answer: the maximum number of people and/or the weight the boat can carry safely in good weather

36. Review Questions (cont.)
What three things should be included on your float plan before you embark on an extended outing?
Answer:
boat’s description: size, make, etc.
passengers/others with you: numbers, names, and addresses
trip plan: destination, route, expected departure and return times

37. Review Questions (cont.)
Can you use the luggage rack on your car to transport a paddlecraft instead of getting a special carrier rack?
Answer: no

38. Review Questions (cont.)
What are the three tie-down connections that are used to secure a paddlecraft to a carrier rack?
Answer:
Tie the strap to one side of the carrier, go across the paddlecraft, and tie the strap on the other side of the carrier.
Tie the paddlecraft’s bow to the front bumper of the car.
Tie the paddlecraft’s stern to the rear bumper of the car.

39. Review Questions (cont.)
What are three things on the pre-departure checklist that all paddlers and passengers should wear?
Answer: (any three)
a life jacket with a whistle attached
appropriate clothing for the conditions
a hat or helmet
sunscreen

40. Review Questions (cont.)
What are three reasons that you should not wear cotton as the first layer of clothing when dressing for a paddlecraft trip?
Answer:
It absorbs moisture.
It dries slowly when it gets wet.
It is a poor heat insulator.

41. Review Questions (cont.)
What do you want to avoid when selecting footwear?
Answer: It should not hinder your swimming or fall off too easily if you capsize.

42. Review Questions (cont.)
What are three ways that gloves can protect your hands?
Answer: (any three)
They help prevent blisters.
They keep your hands warm so that you can hold onto the paddle.
They prevent sunburn.
They protect against rocks in white-water capsizes.

43. Review Questions (cont.)
What can happen if you hold a container between your legs while paddling?
Answer: It can make it difficult to pull your legs from the boat if you capsize.

44. Review Questions (cont.)
What are three maintenance tips for checking the hull when your boat is out of the water?
Answer: (any three)
Remove oxidation.
Check for damage from rocks.
Patch any cracks or holes.
Clean the hull.
Check wooden canoes for dry rot and wet rot.
Treat the hull with an appropriate UV inhibitor if recommended.

45. Review Questions (cont.)
What is the operator of a boat responsible for ensuring that everyone understands?
Answer: common rules and communication methods

46. Review Questions (cont.)
Demonstrate the following hand and paddle signals:
Stop
Help/Emergency
All clear
I’m OK
Answer:

47. Review Questions (cont.)
I’m OK
Stop
Help/
Emergency
All Clear