After finally owning a kayak, storing it might become something to think about when you consider how precious it is to you and how easily it can get damaged by harsh weather and other factors.
Knowing that you might not have the opportunity to always use it in every climate or season, you might need to put your kayak away for some period of time.
Also, due to daily work schedules, it might only be usable with friends during vacations
Do’s and Don’t’s
There are quite a number of things that you shouldn’t attempt when storing a kayak.
Naturally, a kayak can come in form of the durable plastic or in form of an inflatable material that can be deflated and kept in a bag.
Although people tend to distrust a kayak with a balloon-like boat on water, storing the inflatable kind is actually easier, and even durable too.
However the usual plastic one requires more storage care.
Indoor or Outdoor storage
First of all, you need to know where exactly you want to store it, whether indoors or outdoors.
You might be storing it in a garage, a barn, under a shed, on a rack, on the wall or someplace safe.
If you have the space to spare, it is advisable you store your kayak indoors.
It is safe from both the weather and from theft.
Keep out of the reach of children
But just in case you don’t have so much indoor space and you want to prevent it from the reach of children and pets, then you can always find a suitable storage outdoors too.
If you have a garage or a barn, that is your most suitable option.
Be careful of surfaces
However you shouldn’t leave it hanging around or lying on a hard surface.
This will flatten the surface of the kayak over time and reduce its durability.
Also, you should avoid strapping it tightly in a horizontal way.
This might cause the shape to change and you wouldn’t want a wobbly kayak on the water.
Keep out of the sun
Remember that the harsh rays of the sun is not good for any sort of plastic material, more so, one that the threat occurs when you’re on water.
Harsh sun rays causes the plastic to become brittle and can break without warning.
On the other hand too, you shouldn’t leave your kayak out in the snow or rain. That will also do damage to it. In fact, before storage, ensure the kayak is dried out and thoroughly cleaned of sand and other forms of dirt.
Furthermore, when you have to hang your kayak vertically, probably on the wall, avoid putting so much pressure on either the bow or the stern. Instead, let it be balanced, sharing the weight between both ends.
Also, ensure the inner part is covered, in order to avoid it looking like a comfortable roosting place for animals like rats or reptiles. It would also be appropriate if you can get a storage rack or build one for this purpose.
There appear to be many do’s and don’t’s in properly storing a kayak.
Paying attention to such details is the best way to afford yourself the enjoyment of sailing your kayak for as long as possible.