Equipment

Butterfly Tours provides quality equipment, selected specifically for kayak touring on Haida Gwaii. Our kayaking gear and tents are maintained in excellent condition and replaced every few years in order to ensure that our participants enjoy the use of reasonably new equipment. Butterfly tours uses both single and double kayaks that are handmade on Vancouver Island by Seaward Kayaks.

Seaward Tyee single fibreglass kayaks are provided.

The Seaward Tyee kayak is pleasantly responsive while remaining predictable and forgiving in a wide variety of sea conditions. This fine fiberglass craft is well suited to both inexperienced and accomplished paddlers. We have 6 Tyees - more than enough for each tour guest and expedition participant to paddle one.

The Seaward G3 Passat is acclaimed by adventure racers. This boat has greater stability than most single kayaks and tracks well. For a double kayak is it sleek and edge effortlessly. It is safe, strong, and seaworthy in the most challenging waters. We will have either one or two Passat G3’s in the fleet per tour.

Our kayaks are strong and seaworthy; they come fully equipped with a foot-operated rudder, two hatches with sealed bulkheads, a paddle and spare paddle, a Transport Canada approved PFD, a neoprene sprayskirt and a bilge pump.

Seawards adjustable seat has a padded, pivoting backrest that provides comfort while touring. Our kayaks can properly fit a wide range of people.

Many kayakers seek the freedom and rewards of paddling their own craft, yet not everyone prefers to be responsible for the propulsion of their own vessel. We offer single kayaks to most guests, but we like to travel with at least one double in the fleet for safety reasons. We rotate guests so that everyone who wants to spend time in a single kayak has the opportunity, so you will have to spend some time in a double kayak as well.

Single kayaks are significantly different than double kayaks:

• Single kayaks have one seat, allowing an individual to be responsible for both the propulsion and direction of their own boat. They provide each paddler with greater control and independence while increasing the opportunity to develop paddling skills. Many people prefer the additional rewards and challenges provided by single kayaks.
• Double kayaks have two seats, requiring two people to paddle in the same boat. Only the person in the stern (rear) seat of a double kayak has directional control of the vessel, through use of the foot-operated rudder. Two people may join a trip and use our double kayak if they prefer to paddle in the same boat.

Paddles

PFDs - Personal Flotation Devices We provide high quality Salus Ungava personal flotation devices in four different sizes. Enjoy the benefits of wearing these comfortable, fully adjustable and Transport Canada approved PFDs.

Tents The MSR Hubba Hubba tents provided on our wilderness kayak journeys are supreme quality, expedition-tested shelters constructed by Mountain Safety Research. We supply enough tents so that everyone can sleep in their own private shelter if they wish.

Arriving with appropriate outdoor clothing is essential to each guest's comfort and personal well-being during the trip. A detailed clothing and equipment list is provided upon registration.