Sailing & Canoeing | Sports & Leisure Classifieds

People looking to buy sailing and canoeing equipment and accessories may be surprised at the choice that there is available to them in this sector. Some people may simply need to buy a couple of accessories because they go sailing or canoeing as a hobby. They may not actually own a boat or a canoe but may use one at a club or rent one from a sailing / canoeing shop. Other people, however, may own a boat or a canoe and their needs will be quite different. If someone simply goes sailing or canoeing as hobby then their only concerns will really be what they wear. But, somebody who owns a boat or a canoe will need to buy equipment and accessories for that as well as for themselves.

Buying sailing equipment and accessories
There are numerous options when it comes to buying sailing equipment. These can be targeted at the crew and at the vessel itself. For example, anybody sailing -- whether for leisure purposes or as a competitive sport -- needs to think about safety. So, an individual may need a life jacket or other form of buoyancy aid, for example. They will certainly need deck shoes with a good grip if sailing -- decks can get wet and slippery in even the calmest waters and the easiest way for a sailor to injure themselves (or fall overboard!) is not to be wearing the right kind of shoes! A good waterproof is probably also a good option here (especially if sailing in the UK!).

People looking to kit out a boat also need to think about safety. At the very least any size of boat should contain some form of fire extinguisher, flares, a life buoy, a water proof torch, a first aid and emergency kit and a VHF radio. Navigation and radio equipment and accessories are also popular options here. People looking to kit out a boat may also want to look at other products and accessories such as boat and equipment covers and ropes. If they need to transport a boat anywhere then will need some form of trailer.

It is always worth going with a good brand name -- especially if buying safety related equipment or accessories. Cutting corners here to save a few pounds could actually be dangerous. One way in which to check out which brands are cost-effective and work well is to browse the online sailing forums. The online sailing community is very friendly and people will be more than happy to give advice on which brands, equipment and accessories to buy.

Buying canoeing equipment and accessories
The first thing to consider here is whether you will simply be going canoeing for leisure purposes (where you may only need basic equipment as the rest will be provided by the canoe company) or whether you are looking to buy equipment and accessories for your own canoe.

At the very least canoeists (and indeed kayakers) will need to have certain safety equipment and accessories such as a helmet and a life jacket or buoyancy aid. If canoeing alone or unsupervised then it is probably also wise to make sure you have certain safety items on board in case of accident. Many canoeists, for example, will carry an emergency rescue kit. This could include a first aid kit, air bags, tow and throw lines and survival lights.

People looking to transport their own canoe around on a vehicle may also want to look at buying specialist trolleys and roof racks. And, don't forget the useful items-- canoeists can even buy 'stay dry bags' nowadays so they can keep their sandwiches from getting wet and comfort cushions to avoid getting blisters in embarrassing places! And, on a more serious note, remember that buying reputable brands here is extremely important again -- especially from a safety perspective.

Buying sailing and canoeing equipment and accessories second hand
A lot of people choose to sell and buy sailing and canoeing equipment second hand. A lot of equipment here is, after all, relatively expensive so this is a good way of both recouping some money and of potentially picking up a bargain.

Some people will, for example, sell on their sailing or canoeing equipment and accessories when they buy new items. People with a passion for these kinds of sports tend to like to upgrade regularly so the goods on offer here may be in near mint condition. Other people may simply find that their initial enthusiasm for sailing or canoeing waned and they may be looking to sell their equipment / accessories to get back some of the money they spent in the first place.

It is possible to pick up second hand sailing and canoeing equipment and accessories both in specific specialist shops on the high street and online. Buying online may take a little more time and effort but it may also give access to more options which could mean some significant savings. Do, however, take some time to check out equipment or accessories before buying anything. This is especially important with safety equipment. So, ask the seller why they are selling and look for a valid reason. Check that the equipment is in good working order, that it is complete with all parts and that there is no damage. Ask if it has ever been repaired and how the repairs were made. Finally, if possible, ask to see photos of the equipment / accessories themselves (especially for larger or safety related purchases). Doing this will give an idea as to how the equipment actually looks and its condition.