What YakGear does

YakGear is a paddlesport accessories company that produces and sells tools, grips, kits, replacement parts, paddles, and mounting accessories for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and small boats. Founded in 2006 by Bill Bragman (initially under the Reel Deels name) and rebranded to YakGear in November 2007, the company offers more than 250 products across categories including anchoring systems, transportation carts, rod holders, storage solutions, visibility lighting, rigging components, and paddle accessories. Its core technology stack centers on marine-grade materials — non-corroding engineering polymers, stainless steel reinforced axles, UV-stabilized reinforced plastics, and marine-grade aluminum — combined with the RAILBLAZA StarPort/TracMount modular mounting platform that enables customers to standardize and expand accessory configurations across watercraft. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, operates with 16 full-time team members, and has operated as a subsidiary of RAILBLAZA USA (itself under the StarBrite parent) since November 2019.

YakGear's business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce anchored on a Shopify storefront (yakgear.com), supplemented by an independent dealer and distributor network across the US and Amazon marketplace listings. All products are sold as one-time physical goods purchases at unit prices ranging from approximately $14 to $240, with free shipping offered on orders over $75 and a 10% first-order coupon (WELCOME10). The company carries both its own YakGear-branded products and resells complementary brands including C-Tug (kayak carts), RAILBLAZA (modular mounting systems), Backwater Assassin (carbon fiber paddles), and 6th Sense (fishing accessories). Marketing is driven by content assets (YakGearTV YouTube channel, instructional blog, installation guides) and organic social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

The company primarily serves recreational and serious kayak anglers, with secondary customer segments including canoe and SUP enthusiasts and kayak hunters. Core use cases include anchoring and positioning (anchor trolleys, YakStick stake-out, mushroom and grapnel anchors), transportation (C-Tug carts with 300lb capacity), stability for sight-fishing (30-inch outriggers), rod storage and management (RodStow systems), and safety lighting (USCG-approved i360 stern lights). Integration with major marine electronics brands (Humminbird MEGA 360, Garmin, Lowrance) and trolling motors (Minn Kota, MotorGuide, Torqeedo) broadens the addressable use cases into motorized and electronics-heavy kayak fishing setups.

Name

YakGear

Legal name

YakGear Inc.

Website

https://yakgear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YakGear produces and sells more than 250 kayak, canoe, and SUP accessories — including anchors, carts, rod holders, modular mounting systems, lighting, and paddles — serving recreational kayak anglers and paddlesport enthusiasts across the US through its Shopify storefront, dealer network, and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Paddlesport / Kayak Fishing Accessories

NAICS

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459), Sporting and Recreational Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42391)

akta.pro primary industry

Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles) (CRAMAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kayak & Paddle Fishing Specialty Retail (CRAMALAF), Paddling & Packrafting Gear Retail (CRAMAAAL), Boat Fishing Accessories & Rigging Retail (Downriggers, Trolling, Rod Holders) (CRAMALAM), Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)

Keywords

• Kayak fishing accessories
• Paddlesport equipment
• Marine mounting systems
• Kayak transportation carts
• Paddle sports hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales (E-commerce): YakGear sells branded kayak, canoe, SUP, and fishing accessories directly to consumers through its Shopify-powered e-commerce website (yakgear.com). Products are sold as one-time purchases of physical goods, primarily direct-to-consumer. Products are available across categories including anchors, carts, outriggers, rod holders, storage, rigging, lighting, and paddles. YakGear also sells on Amazon and through a dealer/distributor network.
2. Dealer and Distributor Network: YakGear distributes through independent kayak dealers and distributors across the US. The company maintains a 'Find a Dealer' page and actively recruits new dealers through a 'Become a YakGear Dealer' program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YakGear designs, produces, and sells a portfolio of more than 250 paddlesport accessories for kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and small boats, including anchoring systems (YakStick stake-out sticks, mushroom and grapnel anchors, anchor trolleys), C-Tug transportation carts, RAILBLAZA modular mounting systems (StarPort, MiniPort, Hexx), rod holders, visibility and lighting kits, angler crates, paddles, rigging, and storage products. The company distributes these branded products through its own yakgear.com e-commerce storefront, a US dealer and distributor network, and Amazon marketplace.

Product overview

YakGear is a paddlesport accessories company offering over 250 kayak, canoe, and SUP fishing accessories under a unified product portfolio. The core offerings include anchoring systems (YakStick, mushroom/grapnel anchors, anchor trolleys), C-Tug transportation carts, RAILBLAZA modular mounting systems, rod holders, storage solutions, and rigging components. YakGear operates under the RAILBLAZA USA umbrella following a 2019 acquisition, combining its original YakGear branded products with RAILBLAZA's StarPort-based mounting technology. Products are distributed through dealers, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer via Shopify.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YakGear Kayak Anchors
• C-Tug Kayak and Canoe Carts
• YakGear Bases and Mounts
• RAILBLAZA Hexx Sonar 360 Mount
• YakGear Kayak and Canoe Outriggers
• YakGear Rod Holders
• YakGear Visibility and Lighting
• YakGear Storage Solutions
• YakGear Paddles and Pole Holders
• YakGear Rope and Rigging
• YakGear Paddle and Rod Leashes
• YakGear Kayak Angler Crates
• YakGear Track Systems
• YakGear Ambush Camo Kayak Cover and Hunting Blind
• YakGear YakStick Floating Stake-Out Stick
• YakGear Deluxe Anchor Trolley Kit
• RAILBLAZA Kayak Motor Mount
• RAILBLAZA Wall Sling
• RAILBLAZA Visibility Kit II with Miniport TracMount
• RAILBLAZA RodStow Triple
• YakGear Replacement Parts

Quantifiable outcome

• C-Tug Cart: 300 lbs (120kg) loading capacity, tool-free 2-minute assembly, collapses to stow in kayak hatch
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RAILBLAZA USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2019In November 2019, YakGear brand moved under the umbrella of RAILBLAZA USA as part of RAILBLAZA's global expansion strategy to increase offerings for paddlesport and boating enthusiasts. RAILBLAZA USA is based in Houston, Texas. YakGear operates as a brand under the RAILBLAZA parent, with customer support provided by StarBrite (another parent entity). YakGear sells an extensive line of RAILBLAZA products including StarPorts, Rod Holders, Camera Booms, Visibility Kits, Motor Mounts, and the HEXX Live Pole system.
• StarBriteminorOthersStarBrite is identified as YakGear's parent company. Customer support is provided by the parent company StarBrite. This is a corporate parent relationship rather than a commercial partnership.
• C-TugminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorC-Tug is a New Zealand-manufactured kayak cart brand that YakGear stocks and resells through its yakgear.com storefront and dealer network. Products include the C-Tug Kayak and Canoe Cart, C-Tug R with SandTrakz or Kiwi Wheels, C-Tug Dinghy Wheels, and all C-Tug replacement parts.
• 6th SenseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor6th Sense is a fishing accessories brand (known for BaitZip bags and other fishing gear) that YakGear carries in its product catalog, specifically the 6th Sense BaitZip Bag.
• Backwater (Backwater Assassin Paddles)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBackwater Assassin is a paddlesports brand specializing in carbon fiber hybrid paddles and hand paddles. YakGear carries the full Backwater Assassin paddle lineup including carbon fiber hybrid paddles in tan and orange, 35cm carbon fiber paddle extensions, and the Backwater Assault hand paddle.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YakAttack: YakAttack is a US-based manufacturer of kayak fishing accessories including rod holders, track systems, mounts, and rigging components. It directly competes with YakGear in the kayak fishing accessories market and uses a similar track-based modular platform (MightyMount, GearTrac).
• C-Tug: C-Tug is a New Zealand manufacturer of puncture-free kayak and canoe transportation carts (the flagship product resold by YakGear). It is a direct product peer in the kayak cart category and an existing supplier/partner to YakGear.
• Bending Branches: Bending Branches is a US-based paddlesport manufacturer specializing in canoe and kayak paddles, including the Angler series. It directly competes with YakGear's Backwater Assassin paddle line for paddlesport customers.
• RAILBLAZA: RAILBLAZA is a New Zealand-based manufacturer of the StarPort modular mounting system and a wide range of paddlesport and boating accessories. As YakGear's parent company, RAILBLAZA products make up a large share of YakGear's catalog and represent the same technology platform.
• Scotty Fishing: Scotty is a Canadian manufacturer of downriggers, rod holders, and mounting accessories widely used in kayak and boat fishing. It competes directly with YakGear in rod holders, mounts, and rigging for kayak anglers.

Broad incumbents

• Old Town Canoe & Kayak: Old Town is a heritage US canoe and kayak brand now part of Johnson Outdoors, offering a broad range of watercraft and associated accessories. It serves an overlapping customer base of paddlesport enthusiasts targeted by YakGear's products.
• Werner Paddles: Werner Paddles is a US manufacturer of premium kayak, canoe, and SUP paddles. It competes with YakGear's Backwater Assassin paddle offering in the higher-end recreational and touring paddle market.
• Pelican International: Pelican is a large Canadian manufacturer of kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and related accessories. It serves an overlapping recreational paddlesport customer base and competes with YakGear at the lower-priced accessory tier.
• Jackson Kayak: Jackson Kayak is a major US kayak manufacturer (fishing, recreational, whitewater) that also sells branded accessories and uses track systems compatible with YakGear/RAILBLAZA StarPort mounts. It is a broader incumbent in the kayak fishing market where YakGear plays in accessories.

Emerging players

• Nocqua Adventure Gear: Nocqua specializes in waterproof LED lighting systems for paddleboards, kayaks, and outdoor water sports. It overlaps with YakGear's Visibility & Lighting category (RAILBLAZA Illuminate iPS, i360 lights) as a more focused, niche competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yakgear
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Yakgearinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/YakGearInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/yakgear
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yak-gear-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YakGear