Kayaking is a fun way to spend the warmer days of the year. Grabbing your kayak, alone or with friends, hitting the open water and rowing away, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, clean air and lots of sunshine.
But unless you’re living somewhere where the weather is always perfect, you have to ground that kayak and store it somewhere, be it for the long or short term. Storing a kayak is a bit more complex than it sounds, so how do you go about doing it without ruining your prized vessel? Read on to find out!
Remove any soft materials
The first thing you need to do before cleaning and storing your kayak is to remove any soft/fabric materials, like seat cushions, storage pouches, etc.
The reasons to do this are simple – they will get in the way of your cleaning efforts and are also a lovely nesting material for a variety of vermin. So if you want a perfectly clean kayak, that won’t be home to a family of mice, take out all the fabrics!
After you’ve removed them, don’t forget to wash them. Toss the cushions and pouches into the washing machine and run it on a gentle cycle. Set them out to dry completely before storing them.
Clean the kayak thoroughly
Properly cleaning and drying your kayak is essential for prolonging its life. Removing all the dirt, bugs and other residues that have accumulated over time will let you spot any cracks, deformations or other issues that may have appeared. On the other hand, drying the kayak completely before storing will ensure that no mildew will grow and damage your vessel.
For cleaning, use a mild detergent and a sponge to scrub outside and inside the kayak, thoroughly removing all the dirt. When you’re finished scrubbing, rinse the kayak with clean water until all the soap has been washed away. Open any hatches and drainage holes to let out all the leftover water, and then dry the whole kayak with a towel or cloth.
Choose the storage location
So now that the kayak is all squeaky-clean, where are you going to store it? Kayaks are on the bulkier side of things, so finding where to keep them is no simple task. Should you put it somewhere outside, or should you bring it inside? We’ll go over the pros and cons of both kinds of storage so you can decide what’s best for your situation.
Indoor storage
The best kayak storage location is arguably somewhere indoors, as there it will be shielded from the elements – rain, snow, excessive heat or cold, and UV radiation from the sun. Keeping it inside a building is also much more secure, as your kayak won’t be on display for any would-be thieves.
But not everyone has that much free space inside their home, garage, or attic. And what if you live in an apartment on the 10th floor and have little space for yourself, let alone a whole kayak? If you’re in a similar situation, then consider using self-storage.
Putting your kayak into a climate-controlled storage unit will tick all the boxes – it will be protected from the elements, safe from thieves and won’t take up valuable space! Get in touch with your local storage experts and worry no more!
Outdoor storage
Storing your kayak somewhere outdoors is also an option, albeit not the perfect one when it comes to long-term storage. If you’ll be going this route, you have to make sure your vessel is as protected from the elements as it can be.
The most important part of outdoor kayak storage is having some kind of shelter for it. Considering that, the best places to store a kayak outdoors are under a deck, under a roof or eave, on a covered porch, or under a tarp. Here are some crucial things to keep in mind:
- If you’ll be using a tarp, don’t just wrap the kayak in it, but rather create a tent-like structure over the vessel, so the water runs down it and doesn’t pool.
- It’s important to prevent rodents and other pests from getting in through the cockpit with specially designed wraps, and throw in some moisture-absorbing packets before sealing it.
- Don’t keep the kayak just lying on the ground, but rather use some form of a rack, either commercial or DIY, to keep it above the ground.
- Take care to keep the kayak out of view, so it doesn’t attract any unwanted attention. Kayaks aren’t that cheap, so don’t risk getting yours stolen.
- Perform regular checks for moisture, weather damage and pests. Ensure your kayak has the necessary coverage and take steps to maintain it, including cleaning, covering or moving it indoors.
Environmental conditions to avoid
Some environmental conditions are a bigger issue when storing your kayak than others. The most important ones to avoid are:
- Excessive moisture. Storing your kayak in humid conditions without proper airflow can lead to the development of mould and mildew, which can permanently damage your vessel.
- Direct sunlight. The UV radiation in direct sunlight is very detrimental to the plastic your kayak is made from. Prolonged exposure leads to degradation of the material – it becomes discoloured and brittle.
- Extreme temperatures. Excessively high (over 37-38°C) or low temperatures (under 0°C) can lead to the plastic of your kayak becoming damaged.
The general idea is to store your kayak in an environment that offers consistent conditions, to avoid any potential damage to the vessel.
How to store the kayak properly
How you place your kayak also matters, as improper storage can lead to the deformation of the structure. There are several ways to store your vessel correctly:
- Use a kayak rack. This is a stand or a set of supports that hold the kayak off the ground. Kayak racks can be made of metal, wood, or plastic and can be freestanding or wall-mounted.
- Hang it from the ceiling. You can hang your kayak from the ceiling using specially designed straps or hooks. This is a good option if you have limited floor space.
- Put it on the wall. If you have space on a wall, you can use wall-mounted brackets or hooks to store your kayak.
What all these methods have in common is that the weight of the kayak is spread evenly between multiple points, thus preventing any deformation. Regardless of the storage method, it’s important to make sure that the kayak is securely supported and won’t fall or be damaged.
Kayak storage positions to avoid
As there are proper ways to store your kayak, there are also some ways that you definitely shouldn’t store it:
- Storing it on the ground. Placing a kayak directly on the ground can result in scratches and dents, as well as make it more prone to moisture damage.
- Hanging it by one end. Hanging a kayak by one end can cause the hull to warp or crack, especially if the weight is not evenly distributed.
- Storing it on a flat surface. Storing your kayak on a flat surface can cause the hull to sag or deform over time.
Conclusion
Rowing in the open waters in your kayak during the long summer days is pure bliss. But having to store it somewhere when the colder months roll around can be an absolute headache.
Now that you’ve read this article, you know just where and how to store your prized vessel. Having properly stored your kayak, it will always be prepared to hit the water, season after season.