I know there are those of us that don’t use either, but here are some lessons learned:

1. Pick up your kickboat every time, never drag it.
   1. I poked a hole in one side, 2 times already, and in the same place.  See the photos below
2. For your kayak, use a dolly, or get a friend to grab the other end.
   1. I’ve seen folks drag their kayak through the grass, not knowing what was under it.  Glass, rocks, etc. can hide and cause you to sink later.a
3. Oysters can actually cut through the bottom of polyethylene, so avoid them if you can.
   1. I made it a mile from where I scraped the bottom of an oyster bar, at the launch point, before my kayak filled with water and started sinking.  I had to walk/swim back to launch.  My partner towed my water filled kayak back to shore, after I attempted to pump it out.
4. Wear a life jacket.
   1. If your craft sinks, and takes your life jacket with it, what are you going to do next? 

       

      

      The entire bottom

      

      Worn completely through, all the way to the bladder

      

      Close-up of worn completely through, all the way to the bladder