Stem bands on a kayak???

Gene Burreson · Post by **Gene Burreson** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:06 pm

I am building my second Endeavor kayak. I didn't put stem bands on my first one as Kayakcraft doesn't call for them. All canoes seem to have stem bands, but kayaks do not. Why is that? I would be interested in people's opinions on the pros and cons of stem bands on a kayak.

Thanks,
Gene

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:04 pm

Perhaps most people don't install a stem band on a kayak because in general kayaks are used less for trips that involve frequent beaching or they are subjected to less damage because of the "angle of attack" of the stems on most kayaks when compared to canoe stems.

I do know of one fellow who ended up installing a brass bow stem band on his S&G kayak because he frequently paddles in icy waters and hitting ice had worn right through the outer stem. :frightened

I think someone on this Forum has also installed a brass band on his kayak but I can't remember who it was.

Maybe someone else will add their voice to this thread.

KenC · Post by **KenC** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:31 pm

I paddle an Endeavour without stem bands, and have not had any damage to the stems in 5 seasons of paddling. I do have 3 layers of 6 oz fg over the stems but there's barely a scratch on them.

I generally carry the kayak into the water, and enter/exit in a few inches of water, so the boat is floating, and not scraping on anything. Where I DO get some damage is in the "football" area of the hull (eastern Georgian Bay has a lot of barely submerged rocks which, when the conditions get hairy, are difficult to see).