Kayaks are large and bulky, making storage difficult. But don’t let that deter you from finding a good place to store your kayaking; proper storage will keep your kayak in good condition and safe from damage.
This article examines the following factors to assist you in determining the best kayak storage solution for you:
- Where to store your kayak: Keeping it indoors provides the best protection, but this isn’t always possible. Outdoors is fine as long as the boat is shielded from the sun and weather.
- Learn how to position your kayak and what you can use to support it when storing it. Learn how to keep your boat clean, avoid hull damage, and prevent theft.
Where to Store Your Kayak
Storage is simple if you have an inflatable or folding kayak; simply roll or fold it up and store it in a cool, dry place. However, if you have a traditional hard-shell kayak, the size and weight of the boat can make finding a place to store it difficult.
When deciding where to store your boat, keep in mind that a good location limits exposure to sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures:
Sunlight: UV rays from bright sunlight can degrade almost any kayak hull material, from fibreglass to plastic to coated fabric.
Moisture: Consistent rain and snow exposure can cause hull materials to degrade over time.
Heat: Because extreme heat can cause hull material deformation, it’s critical to keep your boat away from heat sources, warm rooms, and direct sunlight.
Cold: While cold temperatures aren’t as dangerous as heat, repeated freezing and thawing can cause damage to your boat. This is especially important if you have a fibreglass boat that has been exposed to moisture on multiple occasions during storage.
Storage Locations
You have two choices: inside or outside.
Indoor storage: If you have the space, keeping your kayak indoors, whether in your house, garage, or shed, is the preferred option because it provides protection from the elements.
Outdoor storage: Indoor storage is simply not an option for many people, particularly those who live in small spaces such as an apartment or condo. Outdoor locations such as under a deck, beneath the eaves of a roof, or beneath a strung-up tarp are all viable options for protecting your boat. Consider the following when looking for the ideal outdoor location:
- Try to find a shady spot outside to protect your boat from UV rays and heat. If shade is scarce or non-existent, cover the entire hull with a weather-resistant tarp at all times of day. Rather than simply wrapping the tarp around the boat, suspend it above the hull; direct contact with the hull can promote mould or fungal growth in wet environments.
- Protect against moisture by ensuring that rain and snow do not accumulate in or on the boat. If you’re hanging a tarp above the boat, make sure it doesn’t fill up and press down on the hull, which can deform it.
