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Showing posts from November, 2017

KTI Personal Locating Beacon

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Designed to be kept on your person, the KTI Personal Locating Beacon fits easily into a lifejacket or a pocket and has the same lifesaving technology as an EPIRB, but in a smaller, light-weight design which is self buoyant. The unit is equipped with a 66 channel GPS and a radio transponder which relays position information to the Search and Rescue satellite system every 5 minutes to within an accuracy radius of 124m.   A homing signal is also transmitted to assist search and rescue responders pin-point your location. For comparison non GPS units relying on homing signals alone are only accurate to within a 5 km radius and require two satellite passes (minimum 90 minutes), or signal confirmation from low flying aircraft in the area before the rescue response is initiated.  Other Features / Benefits. 406.040MHz (Transmitting Signal) and 121.500MHz (Homing Signal) Floating and waterproof  to a depth of 3 metres (not IP Rated ) Greater then 24 hours signal transmission ti

Astral Seawolf Lifejacket

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The Astral Seawolf is a lightweight, low profile sea kayaking lifejacket which is extremely comfortable both in or out of the water, has heaps of storage space and a great variety of useful features for sea kayaking. The front of the lifejacket consists of two separate panels of foam. The inner section of foam wraps securely around your torso and is fastened with two adjustable straps.   The outer panel is able to float over the inner panel and is adjusted to your torso height via two vertical straps below the panel.  This makes for an extremely comfortable fit, allowing for a completely unrestricted paddling motion and preventing the lifejacket rising up your torso    One of the biggest issues with low profile lifejackets is that they’re inherently bulky in the front, in order to maintain the required buoyancy. This is not the case with the Astral Seawolf.  Most of the foam is located in the inner front panel which sits low enough as to not be obtrusive while

Spyderco Pacific Salt Folding Knife

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A kayaking knife suitable for use in a salt water environment has to be easy to access,  rust proof, and durable enough to hold an edge for a decent amount of time.  Knives claiming to be rust proof are usually made with steels that are unable to hold a cutting edge for any measurable amount of time. The Spyderco Salt series of knives use H1 steel.  H1 steel is a precipitation-hardened steel, utilizing nitrogen instead of carbon to harden the steel.  It reaches a Rockwell hardness of 57-58rc and outperforms most other stainless steels in corrosive environments.  All internal steel parts are treated making them impervious to rust and pitting.   The blade has a prominent thumb ramp with jimping and an opening hole with a large 14mm diameter for easy opening/closing.  The blade is coated with a titanium carbonitride to prevent light reflecting off the blade. The black "Fiber Reinforced Nylon" handle is textured in a light checkerboard pattern for exc

Outdoor Research Sun Bucket Hat

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The "Outdoor Research Sun Bucket Hat" is an incredibly comfortable, well constructed and feature packed design incorporating many design features which make it ideally suited for sea kayaking. The hat is lightweight and so comfortable you hardly notice you have it on .  It is made from a synthetic double weave ripstop material which provides SPF 50+ sun protection.  The brim is angled downwards and has a thin layer of foam sewn into it to help stiffen it, as well as providing buoyancy to keep it afloat should it fall into the water.  The under side of the brim has a dark shaded fabric which absorbs glare reflected off of the oceans surface rather then reflecting it back towards your face. There is a head band located along the rim that fits softly against your head to wick away sweat as well as an elastic adjustment cord inside the rim that can be adjusted for the perfect fit or tightened to keep the hat on your head should the wind pick up.  A removable