Sport Zölzer
A big thanks to Heinz Zölzer, creative German kayaking engineer ever since, for providing me several "Zölzer" bits and pieces!
I still do use the same set of solid Zölzer drybags I used already in Newfoundland 2006 and 2007, Iceland 2007 and New Zealand 2007! Not that Heinz wouldn’t give me some new ones - no, they are just not wearing out! And I still love my "all red" bags…
gear picture from Newfoundland 2006
For my trip around Australia I’ll be using quite some of 4 l Zölzer PUR waterbags, as especially in the dry and hot North I should carry about 30 liters of water on some legs!
You might be wondering why I’ll carry (at least temporarly) two Zölzer 20 l Paddle floats? And why he made me two special inflateble kayak sponsons for stabilizing the kayak (pictures soon to follow)?
Well, I’m thinking of crossing the Gulf of Carpenteria on my Australian circumnavigation, a 6-7 days paddle. You will need SOME sleep on such a distance…so the idea is to strap the spare paddle across the cockpit with the inflated paddle floats on the ends to have a stable outrigger on both sides. The sponsons might be added, or used solo whilst paddling on the last days of the x-ing where I might be exhausted and dizzy…
For sleeping more or less comfortable after the kayak is more or less stable (for sure it will depend on the sea state!) I’ll hug a half inflated simple beach ball, or put it behind my back as a backrest.
The kayak bulkhead won’t be moved forward to slide fully inside the cockpit. I’ll be staying more or less seated. That’s the plan. The reality will show soon if I’ll really do it…but the other option, to paddle into the Gulf, is not inviting either…too many crocs!
Ahh, and not to forget to mention the practical, yet simple deck net I’m using on my front and aft deck to store my helmet and other things.