The Complete Sea Kayak Touring [Paperback]

Jonathan Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

If you're a sea kayaker who dreams of heading over the far horizon, this guide is a must. It is the comprehensive manual for planning the ideal sea kayaking expedition, covering everything from provisioning, gear, navigation, and bivouacking, to kayak sailing. Included: sidebars for fabulous destinations from Baja to Newfoundland.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Enticed by that bay just around the point? Need to figure out how to pack your boat for that first overnight trip? This guide is a must. Complete Sea Kayak Touring is a how-to guide for paddlers who have a working knowledge of the basics and are looking to expand and build on their experience. Written by a former kayak touring guide who has paddled everywhere from the Arctic to Baja California, Complete Sea Kayak Touring will teach you everything from seamanship, navigation, and camping to getting in shape, provisioning and cooking, cold-weather and nighttime paddling, assisted and solo rescues, maintenance, first-aid, safety, and much more.

Expand your frontiers.

Raise your sea kayaking to the next level. Here is the perfect book for a new sea kayaker thinking about a first weekend outing or for the seasoned paddler planning an extended trip to a remote coast.

• Boats and Gear
• Paddling Techniques
• Rescues and Recoveries
• Seamanship
• Navigation and Piloting
• Planning, Provisioning, and Packing
• Camping
• Traveling with a Kayak
• Maintenance, Repair, and Modification

About the Author

Author and writer Jonathan Hanson has been a kayaking pro since the 1980s. He has operated his own kayak touring company, guiding clients to many locations in the Sea of Cortez, both on the mainland and Baja coasts. His own trips have taken him from Central America to the Arctic Ocean and many places in between. His many articles on sea kayaking have appeared in Outside, Sea Kayaker, and other publications. A biologist by training, Jonathan lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Roseann. Together, they wrote The Ragged Mountain Press Guide to Outdoor Sports, which won the National Outdoor Book Award in 1997.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070262047
• ISBN-13: 978-0070262041
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Sea Kayaking

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a good all around kayak touring reference book, May 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Sea Kayak Touring (Paperback)

This book describes kayaking at its best. I was especially interested in the section on kayak camping and storage of gear.The book is organized well and covers all facets of kayaking. There are many clear closeup pictures of the topic being discussed and in fact there is at least 1 picture on every page. I enjoyed this book and I ordered a copy for my brother in Alabama.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars well written, humorous and informative- a fun read, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Sea Kayak Touring (Paperback)

As advertized this book is about the basics of kayak touring. It is a well written and because of the authors enthusiasm- inspirational. For a begining kayaker, like myself, this book has served to fire and intensify my interest in touring. Unlike many books which dwell the dangers and near death experiences of the author-( thus dissuading many of us) this book deals with the great experiences this author and friends have had and inspires us to try to find some of those adventure ourselves. The author writes well, with a great sense of humor, and seems like the kind of person we all wish we had along as we paddled along our own journeys. I am sure we could have hours of animated discussions about the merits of rotomolded kayaks-- I like them. This is an informative book that will serve to introduce the reader to kayak touring, there is still much to be learned but that will come with experience. I believe even experienced tourers would enjoy reading this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great place to start., July 26, 2006

By 

Charles J. Freedman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Sea Kayak Touring (Paperback)

I am an avid and experienced sea kayaker and recently spent 3 weeks padddling in Japan, island hopping from Okinawa to Amami Island. Although not quite complete, Jonathan Hanson's guide and bibliography are comprehensive. It is a great starting read for an adventurous soul with little paddling experience considering a journey by kayak. Similar information is covered in other kayaking books. However, Hanson's guide is easy to digest and the information is spot on. The lack of British Canoe Union dogma is refreshing. The author and I have similar taste in kayaks and paddles. I was particularly happy with the discussions of folding kayaks. I would have liked to see the mention of Greenland paddles and a blurb on the value of the services of a competent kayak instructor. Not sure if any book can truly be a complete guide. This book come pretty close.