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We all know how much fun it can be to explore new locations and being able to take your kayak with you can be even more exciting. Whether you’re heading off on an adventurous vacation, relocating, or competing internationally, learning how to ship a kayak should be near the top of your to-do list.
Because getting your kayak safely to its new location is important, we’ve put together a guide to help you do just that.
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What You Will Need To Follow This Tutorial
- Bubble wrap or packaging foam
- Cardboard
- Packaging tape
- Measuring tape
- Weighing scales
How To Ship A Kayak
The best way to ship a kayak will often depend on where you’re located, where the kayak is being shipped to, and most importantly the cost and how long it might take.
But no matter what method you choose, how you package it is probably the most important part of the process.
Step 1: Wrap It In Cardboard
With your sheets of cardboard, or flattened cardboard boxes, wrap up the kayak. Make sure each piece of cardboard is secured around the yak with the packaging tape holding it all in place.
Video: Kayak Wrapping & Shipping
Use as many sheets of cardboard as you need to make sure the entire vessel is covered. Use as much tape as you need to wrap it around the yak, so all edges are taped and your parcel maintains its kayak shape.
Step 2: Bubble Wrap It
Now that your kayak is completely wrapped in cardboard, it’s time for bubble wrap (or packaging foam). Wrap large sheets of bubble wrap around your cardboard kayak, keeping it tight.
Use several layers of bubble wrap to give your vessel extra protection and keep it secure by wrapping packaging tape around it all.
If you choose to use packaging foam, you’ll probably find that the tape doesn’t stick very well. It can be a good idea to add a final layer of bubble wrap to hold the foam in place.
Step 3: Labels
To make sure the shipping company handlers know what your package is, write it somewhere on there, as well as marking it as fragile.
Step 4: Get Dimensions
You may already know the size of your kayak but now that it’s packaged, it’s probably going to be a little larger. Use your measuring tape to find out the exact measurements of the wrapped vessel to give them to the shipping company.
Shipping companies will usually require a parcel’s weight before giving you a price, so remember to weigh it.
Alternative Method
It’s possible to package the kayak without using the first cardboard step. You can simply wrap it in several layers of bubble wrap. For added protection, you may want to add cardboard wrapping to the bow and stern.
Step 5: Time To Ship
There are several courier options. Fedex is a popular option with Standard and Priority available.
Pro Tip
No matter what method of shipping you choose, you might want to purchase insurance in case of damage or loss.
Conclusion
We know how important it can be to make sure your yak arrives safely at its destination and we hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to package it correctly.
If you have experience in shipping your yak, let us know, or tell us what you thought of the tutorial. Don’t forget to share this to let others know how best to ship their kayaks.