Doing a five day Everglades camping/fishing trip. Looking to carry 7 gallons of drinking water in a fishing yak (Hobie PA14 360). I’m pretty space limited versus a canoe but my yak is rated for 600 pounds so weight isn’t a problem. Looking at either the MSR or Sea to Summit 10L bags but even to name brand companies seem to have trouble making containers that don’t leak. I’m also considering using one gallon drinking water jugs. What collapsible water container has worked well for you?

I don't have any direct experience with the Everglades, but in my research for doing a trip there most people recommended a hard sided water container due to the raccoons, who can be notably aggressive in their pursuit for food.

That being said, I have used this one in the past and found it robust, though I don't know if it will fit in a kayak.

Reliance Aqua Container

I think the raccoon threat is greatly diminished since pythons have taken over but I plan to take all food and water with me wherever I go. And I'll be camping strictly on chickees. I have one of the containers you mentioned. The lid leaks. Thanks for your suggestion though.

Faced with similar considerations on Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge paddling trips, we've opted for the 1-gallon jugs. We're in a canoe rather than a kayak, but you should be able to stash 7 gallon with no issue. Note that there can be a huge difference in jug quality between water vendors; for some water storage/transport we've started using 1-gallon vinegar jugs because they're so much tougher than most water jugs.

TZ

I'd recommend collecting smaller water containers. 2L bottles, 1L bottles and such. I've learned the hard way that having all your water in one container can be a huge bummer when it spills or gets contaminated and the risk of just one slip up becomes huge.

VaderStrom: "I'd recommend collecting smaller water containers. 2L bottles, 1L bottles and such. I've learned the hard way that having all your water in one container can be a huge bummer when it spills or gets contaminated and the risk of just one slip up becomes huge. "

I agree with you on not having all my eggs in one basket but I'm thinking a quality 10L collapsible, 4-5 gallon jugs and then 1-2 small bottles to keep in easy reach to drink out of. With that approach I can afford to lose one container and still not have to abort my trip. Taking 7 or 8 gallons of water in 1 and 2 liter bottles becomes a packing and securing nightmare in a SOT kayak. Everything I take has to be secured in case of capsize. Plus with collapsible containers packing becomes progressively easier.

The MSR Dromedary 10L, bombproof, worth the scratch. If I recall, the advertising once had them driving a truck over a filled bag. I've used lots of different storage solutions for tripping and found this the best. But carrying that much water could get expensive, so it depends on your wallet too. It's too bad they no longer make the spigot cap - makes dispensing waaay easier. Downside is not racoon proof, but then vinegar jugs won't stop them either. It would be better if you had a hard hatch cover and then could ratchet strap that down overnight. Not sure a chickee is gonna keep the away either...they do like water. FWIW

portagedog09: "The MSR Dromedary 10L, bombproof, worth the scratch. If I recall, the advertising once had them driving a truck over a filled bag. I've used lots of different storage solutions for tripping and found this the best. Downside is not racoon proof, Not sure a chickee is gonna keep the away either...they do like water. "

I like the looks of the MSR Dromedary so it's good to get a positive review from you. Lays flat and easy to secure.

I'm planning to have my food and water inside my tent or hanging above it at night and in my yak during the day. Leaving either in the yak overnight is asking for a raccoon or gator/croc to try to get at it and tear stuff up.

I use the 10 liter MSR Drom bag in my homemade gravity filter for the clean water, and I love it. I lost my old one and now have a new version. Neither has ever let me down.

I would just use the gallon water jugs you get at the grocery store. You do not want to have a leak in one of those water jugs and loose all your water. The one gallon jugs will fit better too than a huge container. Then as you drink you just collapse the jug flat.

On a short (2 night, 3 day) Okefenokee trip, I used the 1 gallon bottles that I bought the water in from a grocery store. I put the bottles in the bottom of my 60L blue barrel. It worked okay. Fortunately, there were no portages on that kind of trip, and for such a short time I only need about 5 gallons for two people. For longer trips and ones where you might have to carry the water, it could get complicated.