When it comes to storing your kayak, you might be tempted to just leave it outside during the warm season and only taking it in during the winter. However, there are a lot of things to considering when storing your kayak because you need to protect it so that it continues to to be a great boat for you for many years to come. If you have a garage, we’ve found some great options for storing a kayak in the garage.
Top 10 Best Kayak Indoor Storage Systems of 2018
| PHOTO | PRODUCT | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|
 | Harken 4-Point Hoister System |  (4.7 / 5) |
 | Malone Auto Racks SlingOne Single Kayak Storage System |  (4.9 / 5) |
 | RAD Sportz Kayak Hoist Lift Garage Storage Canoe Hoists |  (4 / 5) |
 | Heavy Duty Garage Utility Canoe and Kayak Lift Hoist Pulley Storage |  (4.1 / 5) |
 | Malone Auto Racks SlingTwo Double Kayak Storage System |  (4.2 / 5) |
 | Malone Auto Racks FS 3 Kayak Storage Rack System |  (5 / 5) |
 | Suspenz 2-Boat Free Standing Kayak Storage Rack | (4.9 / 5) |
 | Suspenz Big EZ Kayak Canoe and SUP Rack | (5 / 5) |
 | Owasco 3 Boat Freestanding Kayak Storage Rack | (5 / 5) |
Shopping For A Kayak Storage System
There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to storing your kayak in the off-season. Whether you have a garage, shed or basement, you should have plenty of options to choose from. Being able to hoist up the yak and have it suspended from the ceiling is one of the better ways to store it. Of course, not everyone has that kind of space, which is where a good storage rack makes an excellent choice.
If you’re not really sure which option you want to go with just yet, then we suggest taking a look at what is available for indoor kayak storage and seeing if anything catches you eye. You can compare the options that are available and see which best meets your kayak storage needs.
Kayak Storage Basics
- When storing your kayak, the most important thing to remember is that you need to protect it from the harsh weather elements. This includes everything from the sun’s UV rays to the cold temperatures.
- If you use your kayak in salt water, remember to rinse all the salt residue off before you store it because it will seriously degrade the kayak.
- Sunlight can be very damaging to your kayak’s exterior body. It doesn’t matter what type of material the hull is made from because the sun can damage it all – fiberglass, coated fabric, plastic, etc. The best way to protect the kayak from the sun’s rays is to store it either in your garage or in your home.
- Of course, inside storage isn’t always possible. When that happens, you need to find a shaded area to keep the heat of the sun’s rays off it. You need to cover it with a tarp that is weather resistant. That tarp needs to be able to cover the entire hull of the kayak when it is not in use. Make sure that the tarp is not directly touching the surface of the kayak, but instead suspended above it. Surface contact can result in mold growth when conditions outside are wet.
- You can also apply a UV protectant spray to the kayak before you store it for the season. Normally this spray should be put on it both at the start of the season and at the end once it goes into storage.
- And if your kayak is inflatable, remember to keep is stored deflated for optimal results.
- On some kayaks, the weather itself can damage a stored boat as it can cause oxidation and degradation on some hulls, depending on the material. Try to avoid exposing the kayak to extreme temperatures as the change between freezing and thawing can do some serious damage to fiberglass kayaks – especially if any water has gotten on them and frozen and thawed. Exposure to cold can damage some types of kayaks.
- For outside storage, be sure to keep any buildup of snow or rain from weighing down your tarp and causing surface contact with it.
- Another important thing to remember when storing a kayak for the season is that you need to store it with the weight evenly distributed. If you don’t, the kayak’s hull will bend or deform. You see this most often with kayaks that have fabric and plastic hulls.
- For proper weight distribution, you need a good kayak storage system that supports the kayak at several different points. This helps to even out the load equally. You should never store your kayak with only the ends supported, with it standing up on one end, near a heat source like your hot water heater, laying on its side, or from its grab loops.
- If safety is a concern, you need a kayak storage system that protects against theft. Obviously, inside the garage or house is the best theft deterrent. For outside storage, try to use a place that is not out in plain view and so that is it not easy for someone to grab the kayak and quickly make off with it. You can also use a security cable around a sturdy part of the kayak.
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