Kayaking is supposed to be peaceful. You, the water, maybe a sandwich tucked into a dry bag. But that’s not how it goes when Fiona, my English bulldog, decides she’s the captain now. Long story short, she saw a duck, launched herself like a bowling ball, and nearly sent us both overboard. That’s when I realized my kayak rigging setup needed serious help.
Enter: two essential kayak tie-down kits that kept my gear—and my dog—secure the next time we paddled out.
1. Goture Kayak Pad Eyes Kit – 10pcs/20pcs Deck Loops Tie Down Pad Eye with Screws
What I love:
Comes with stainless steel screws, so no last-minute hardware store run. Easy to install with a drill and a little patience. Great for lashing down coolers, paddles, or a stubborn bulldog who thinks she’s an admiral.
Why it matters:
These pad eyes are small but mighty. I added a few to the front and rear of the kayak. Now I can strap down dry bags, tackle boxes, or Sandy’s giant water bowl without fear of anything flying off when Fiona shifts her weight like a wrecking ball.
2. Kayak Track Mount Tie Down Eyelet Rail – 316 Stainless Steel (4 Pack)
Why I grabbed these too:
They slide easily into standard gear tracks—no tools needed. 316 stainless steel = rust-resistant. Perfect for lake days, ocean days, or unexpected dog-overboard days. You can move them around depending on your setup.
Bonus:
I used these to secure Echo and Luna’s portable cat bubble backpack when we dared to bring them on a short canoe ride. They didn’t enjoy it, but the tie-downs held firm. Worth it for the Instagram pic alone.
Final Thoughts
If you kayak with pets, kids (Stella and Greyson love to “help”), or just have more stuff than sense, these tie-down kits are legit. They’ve made my kayak setup feel more solid, more flexible, and way more Fiona-proof.
Full disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. So if you click through these links and decide to rig your kayak like a pro (or a bulldog-proof vessel), I might make a few bucks—which I’ll probably spend on more dog treats.
Stay dry out there. Or at least keep your stuff tied down when you don’t.
Want me to add a short table comparing the two kits?