How To Store A Kayak In An Apartment

Kayaks can be large in size, yet there are many ingenious ways you can store them. Many users find that even though these vessels are designed to spend their lives in water, it can impact their health once you leave them in the wrong conditions. Luckily, there are many kayak storage ideas and storage options around. You can even come up with your own. You can use a pulley system to hang when storing your kayak in a garage from the ceiling or the ceiling of your apartment living room.

In our guide, you can learn about the best way to keep your kayak and other storage ideas, good or bad for your kayak.  By the end, you’ll find a good option for storing and how to make the best use of the apartment kayak storage space you have around your home.

Is It OK to Store a Kayak Outside in Winter?

With several months available for you to hit the rivers and lakes in your kayak. You need to consider the months when the weather is too bad. You may wonder where to store a kayak outside if you can. The tips here are to help store your kayak and protect your kayak or canoe through the bad weather. They will also let you take it out when the warm weather arrives.

If you need to keep your yak outdoors, cover it with a tarp for protection against UV rays and direct sunlight. You want to ensure your heavy-duty tarp offers such protection, as this can affect the construction of your hull, as the sun can be more harmful than cold.

Ensure no snow piles up when storing your kayak, or any falling branches can hit it. Strong winds or heavy snowfall can quickly cause damage to a kayak. You want to store it under a structure, if possible.

The plastics your kayak may be made from can become brittle if the temperatures are too cold outside. Be sure to hang your kayak off the ground to keep animals out. You also need to make sure it is secure, so place it next to something secure and use a steering wheel lock to fix it in position.

One other tip is to hang your tarp away from the kayak, as this can induce mold if any water gets inside. Outdoor storage is not a good idea, or at least find a place that offers protection. Also, ensure no water can get in any cracks or crevices, as this freeze can damage your kayak more.

Is It OK to Store a Kayak Vertically?

You may store your kayak on a side or vertically at one end; however, you have been advised to only store the kayak in these positions for one day at a time.

If you leave them longer than this, you risk damaging or deforming the body and hull of your kayak when it sits for too long in on its side or from one end.

You’ll see this is particularly true when you hang them vertically, as the kayak’s weight will exert excess pressure on the boat itself. It may lead to deformation on the end of your boat lying on the ground or other surfaces.

How Do You Store an Inflatable Kayak?

Rinse your kayak before you are ready to store it, and make sure it is dry. You’ll have to deflate it and fold it correctly. Here are a few tips you’ll need to make sure your inflatable is in peak condition. Don’t store kayaks inflated: If you keep them inflated over long periods of time. It can damage valves and place strain on the skin of your kayak. Temperature changes can cause the air inside your kayak to expand or contract. Expanding can cause ruptures.

Rolling a kayak: be sure to roll your kayak differently every time. Rolling the same way results in seams forming in the skin and leading to weak spots.

Storing kayaks: Store in cool, dry places to help prevent mold growth. If storing outside in the shed or even a garage, shield it with a tarpaulin or similar durable covers to stop debris from falling on it.

How Should You Store a Kayak?

If you recently acquired a kayak, storing your kayak properly is fundamental. Proper kayak storage and maintenance go a long way to preserve your kayak ready for its next adventure.

You don’t want to leave your kayak tied to the roof rack of your car inside the garage. Keep your kayak away from exposure to heat, as this leads to damage. So, even with your kayak indoors, and the heating on could be too much.

Do’s of Storing Kayaks

Always choose indoor storage against a wall where possible, and use a storage rack on the wall or hang from the ceiling to save space. You want to store your kayak upside down on crossbars or hang from wide straps around the cockpit area against the wall on a kayak rack.

Don’ts of Kayak Storage

  • Don’t store your boat cockpit facing up on a storage rack against the wall on crossbars, as they can dent the bottom.
  • Don’t place kayaks on a wall rack on its side for a long period of time, as you will deform the sides
  • Never hang kayaks by handles or scuppers, as these can distort the boat hull
  • Never use a kayak trolley as a storage platform option, as these are just for transportation

While your kayaks may appear too large for your small living space, there are many an option available. Much of the storage issues come down to exposure to the weather and how you like to get to store them. The outdoor option may seem sensible, yet there are many reasons to keep them in your indoor space. You could store them in a way that looks cool, yet this, unfortunately, may not help your kayak’s longevity.

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