Technomadic Designs Paddle Bags & Kayak Stands

The Microship project has, over the years, spawned a number of interesting custom designs... some world-class engineering has gone into the micro-trimarans, Wordplay and Songline (along with their inflatable kayak sidekicks, Bubba and Stella). Technomadic Designs was created as a way to spin off and productize a few select items.

New product introduced in March, 2007: Mesh slings for kayak stands

Kayak Paddle Bags

We introduced our first kayak paddle bag in the summer of 2004, and it gained acceptance in the paddling community after a photo and link appeared in Sea Kayaker magazine. We have now released a second-generation bag, fabricated with a layer of durable and highly abrasion-resistant coated nylon fabric that completely encapsulates a closed-cell foam core. With full-featured high-tech paddles now costing upwards of $300, it makes good sense to invest in a layer of protection to prevent the chips and scratches that can easily occur during storage, transport, and portage.

This new paddle bag has two separate compartments, separating the paddle blades with a padded divider sheathed in a contrasting color. A tethered foam-lined end cap, unique to our design, protects the delicate ferrules and keeps the paddles snugly seated in their nests. The closed-cell core does not soak up water, and provides a little bit of padding when you use it sitting around camp (and it is unsinkable). The bottom end and edges are reinforced internally to minimize the possibility of the blades wearing through, and the bag can be folded and stowed flat under a pile of gear, or loosely rolled around a dry bag to minimize packing overhead.

An unusual feature is the carry strap: most paddle bags don't give you a positioning choice, so it's easy to fling it over your shoulder and have the exposed ends whacking you in the chin during a portage. The Technomadic Designs 4-point adjustable strap has swivel hooks to prevent twisting, and can be moved from the open to the closed end to suit different carrying preferences... over the shoulder, across the back, or even suitcase-style. And, for convenience in carrying additional flat items such as nautical charts or light gloves, the second-edition paddle bag includes an outer pocket.

The Second-edition Technomadic Designs Paddle Bag, showing padded internal divider, chart pocket, swivel hooks on relocatable carry strap, and tethered padded end cap to protect the shafts.

Now available in red and black!

A good use for the outer pocket... the Guidebook is 8.5 by 5.5 inches. This photo was taken with a Werner kayak paddle nestled in the bag.

These bags are 100% fabricated in Washington State with the best available materials, and will give you years of reliable service in harsh marine environments. In addition to the single-unit pricing shown below, we also offer a "buy 9, get 1 free" deal to paddling clubs... and the bags can also be embroidered (on the pocket) with club logo and initials in a color to match your kayak. Please contact us for information on these options, runs of 10 or more in custom colors, dealer inquiries, or international purchases.

So easy to use, so thoughtfully laid out. Makes a pair of paddles very easy to carry safely and most of all protects them while they are in my vehicle... that's usually where most of the nicks and scratches occur. I appreciate the protection not just for the paddle blades but also the all-important ferrules. After all, the better paddle pieces are machined to match, so it's important to keep them as pristine as possible, IMO.

I like the outside pocket for small maps and the optional paddle lock provided for my Epic paddle.

-- Deborah in Ypsilanti, MI

The paddle bag is perfect. It's everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn't need to be. Great service! Great product!

-- Sal in Newburyport, MA

Just arrived....it's very nice indeed. A definite match for my new Lightning paddle.

-- Bill in Chicago, IL

Steven, thanks very much for your great communication, and a great bag! It arrived just in time for a weekend paddling event - it's great! Thank you - good luck with your business - I'm certainly singing its praises!

-- Victoria in Westford, MA

I really like the convenience of the paddles over one shoulder, a paddle.net towel tucked in the bag pocket, one hand on the bow grip of the Skua, on a great paddle cart from KFS, and my free hand for my rods. ONE trip from the truck to the launch. Paddle bag stows neatly in the forward hatch, cart & wheels stowed in the aft hatch. And we paddle off. My wife even commented on the neat storage the bags provide. They are all hanging neatly on hooks on the garage wall. These are the small, but important details, that many folks overlook. Great product!

-- Richard in Port St. Lucie, FL

NOTE: We can easily accept Visa/MC by phone or check/MO by mail if you'd rather not go through PayPal. Please let me know if you wish to pursue either alternative, and I'll pass along the appropriate contact info. Also, please contact me for international sales or multiple units (we can save postage by combining).

Closed-cell Foam Paddle Bag, Black or Red

Removable and relocatable carry strap, will not soak up water, and unsinkable. Fits any two-piece take-apart kayak paddle, or a pair of canoe paddles. Includes tethered and padded ferrule end cap as well as chart pocket. Rolls or folds for stowage; inside dimensions are 9" wide by 27" long. Choose black or red.

$37.50 plus $4.60 Priority Shipping

Red

Black

Mesh Slings for Kayak Stands

Described in detail over here, these fabric saddles take care of the difficult work involved in building stands to get your kayak off the ground and away from mold, spiders, and rodents. Easier on the back, too! You will receive a pair of 10x17" mesh slings with heavy fabric tunnels. The link above explains the process of building the stands with your own PVC tubing (or wood), and all sorts of variations are possible (one customer is using dowels with screw-eyes in the ends and rope to the garage ceiling).

Slings: $27.50 per pair + flat $2.00 Shipping
(Again, the PVC frame is NOT included)

Thanks for shopping at Technomadic Designs, and stay tuned for more goodies!

-- Steve