How To Store Kayaks

Once you’ve got a kayak, you’re in for an active summer on the water. However, once your fun is over, you need to know how to store your kayak. 

If you don’t take the proper precautions to store your kayak in the right way, you could end up damaging it and reducing its quality.

In this article, I will explore how to store your kayak properly to keep it in the best possible condition.

Keep reading to find out more.

How To Store Kayaks 

If you have the space available, storing your kayak indoors is always going to be the best option for ensuring your kayak remains in a good condition. 

Keeping your kayak inside is the best option for a number of reasons, including:

Security and theft protection – Keeping your kayak inside is the safest option to prevent it from being stolen from your backyard. Storing your kayak in a locked house, garage, or other storage container is the best way to protect it.

Protection from the elements – When you keep your kayak outside, it is much more susceptible to the elements and weather conditions outside. You also can’t control the temperature outside, meaning your kayak and its quality are perpetually at the mercy of the weather.

Preventing damage – A kayak that is stored incorrectly is bound to decrease in quality much more quickly than one that is.

So, how should you store your kayak? There are various different kayak storing methods. 

You should try to keep your kayak off the ground when it comes to storing it. This can be achieved through methods such as:

Web slings – A good way to store your kayak is with mesh nylon webbing that conforms to the shape of your kayak. A web sling ensures that the weight of the kayak is distributed evenly, while being a great space-saving solution due to the fact that it is overhead and out of the way.

Overhead pulley system – Another method to store your kayak is with an overhead pulley system. This type of system comes with all the hardware you need to safely hang and fully support your kayak to avoid warping or deforming the hull of the boat.

Storage rack systems – If you’ve got the space for one, storage rack systems are great for storing your kayak. There are a variety of different companies that make racks designed to store kayaks safely. Although not as space-saving as the overhead pulley system or web sling, they may be well worth the investment if space is not an issue. 

Car racks – Whenever you’re packing your kayak away for a significant amount of time, you could always opt to use your car rack to store your kayak. This is the cheapest way to store your kayak, as it doesn’t involve spending any additional money, and can be used on the floor or the walls of your garage or storage space. 

When choosing the room to keep your kayak in, you should remember to:

• Store the kayak away from windows and direct sunlight to prevent sun damage

• Make sure that you aren’t obstructing anything you need to access on a regular basis

• Always keep your kayak in an environment where you can control the temperature with ease

Conditions To Avoid When Storing Your Kayak Inside

When storing your kayak inside, there are conditions that you must ensure your kayak isn’t exposed to:

Sun – You will need to make sure that you keep your kayak out of direct sunlight. If your garage has windows, the sun can cause damage if you’re not careful. The sun’s strong UV rays can not only cause the color of your kayak to fade over time, but can also cause damage to certain kayak materials if it is exposed to direct sunlight for long enough.

Heat – You will need to be mindful to keep your kayak away from heat. Extreme heat can distort the structure of your kayak. Bearing this in mind, you will need to keep your kayak away from radiators during the winter season and make sure it’s in a relatively cool environment for the summer.

Moisture – Although your kayak is literally built to keep out water when you take it out, this doesn’t mean that it should be stored in a place that has high moisture levels. 

Moisture build-up can warp kayaks, cause mold and fungus or degrade their structure over time. If you plan to keep your kayak in a damp garage, for instance, you will need to use a dehumidifier.

Cold and frost – Your kayak can cope with the cold arguably the best out of all of these conditions. That being said, you will still need to keep your kayak in a climate-controlled environment during the cooler months to avoid continuous freezing and thawing, as this can cause significant damage over time.

Kayak Storage Tips 

Once you have established which room you are going to keep your kayak in, you might find these storage tips helpful to ensure it remains in a good condition.

Ensure your kayak is clean – When storing your kayak, you will need to make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned, especially when you’re storing it for a long period of time. Make sure that you clean the outside and inside, then be sure to dry it thoroughly to avoid any moisture or mold growth from occurring inside your kayak.

Store your kayak off the ground – The most important thing for your kayak’s quality is to make sure that you store it off the ground if you have the space to. Work out the best storage solution and go from there.

In Summary 

Storing your kayak properly is fundamental to its quality and lifespan. The best option for security and protection from the elements is to store your kayak inside.

That being said, there are still multiple conditions that you will need to make sure that you work hard to avoid in order to keep your kayak in the best possible condition. 

Happy storing!