How To Store A Kayak In An Apartment (Do's and Don'ts)

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People with large houses and extensive storage space don’t have any problem finding space for their Kayaks. But when you live in a small apartment the space is cramped and you have to get more creative. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Here are some tips and kayak storage ideas to store your Kayak at home.

How to Store a Kayak in an Apartment

Kayaks take a lot of space. So yes, it can be a bit tricky to store these boats inside tiny apartments, but it’s doable if you know what you’re doing. Here are three places in a small apartment that could prove to be excellent storage spots for Kayaks.

1. Ceiling

One of the best places to horizontally secure your Kayak is from the ceiling. This will save you a lot of space, and your Kayak won’t get in your way either! Not to mention it remains unharmed up there too. You can purchase suspenders or ceiling racks from an e-commerce store. The suspender can be fixed on the bottom of the ceiling and looped around the handles of the Kayak.

Certain ceiling racks are adjustable, so you can adjust the height based on your room’s size, and look. The inflatable kayak can be deflated and stored anywhere inside the house where it’s protected from moisture and dampness. Just make sure that you rinse the Kayak before you stow it away until the next season.

2. Wall

If you don’t have anything else hung on your wall, it can make an excellent space for your Kayaks. In contrast to the ceiling, wall-hung Kayaks can take a bit of your apartment’s space, but not enough to become an impediment.

You can place a rack against the wall or off the grounds, and store a Kayak vertically or horizontally on the rack. The rack could give an aesthetic look to your apartment while being functional. You can find an assortment of wall racks online. Based on the size of the Kayak, its type, and the size of the room, you can choose a rack that meets your needs. You can also speak to a seller if you’re unsure which rack would be ideal for your room size and Kayak.

3. Outdoors

If you have enough space somewhere outside your apartment, you could secure your kayak outdoors as well, provided that the place is safe from certain elements of weather that can damage your Kayaks, such as UV rays, and scorching heat of summer. So make sure that you store it beneath some sort of shade.

A garage is a perfect place. It would protect the Kayak from damp surface and weather elements. If not, you can build a make-shift shade instead. As long as the Kayak is protected from weather, you can store it anywhere outside.

If there is no shade to place the Kayak under, you can purchase a weather-resistant tarp to cover your kayak with. It would protect the boat from all the harmful weather elements and keep your Kayak safe.

Do’s and Don’ts of Storing Kayaks

Kayaks are delicate boats, so you have to keep certain things in mind before you choose a storage medium for them.

Do’s

1. If you’re about to store your Kayak indoors, we recommend first cleaning the Kayak properly. If it has been a while since you’ve taken the Kayak on a trip, it might’ve collected some dust. Alternatively, if you’ve just arrived from a Kayaking trip, you might need to remove the salt, sand, and grime before stowing it away for storage. Rinse and clean the kayak with fresh water and soap properly. Clean your Kayak at least twice a year. (1)

2. When you’re storing your kayak, make sure the weight is evenly distributed, by using supporters like padded cradles along the length of the boat, to prevent the Kayak from deforming.

3. Stow your Kayak away in a cool and dry place to protect it from harmful elements.

Don’ts

1. Do not store the Kayak against a wall, or on a wall rack for a long period, otherwise, its sides could end up bending and deforming.

2. Avoid using handles to hang the Kayaks as it could deform the Kayak’s hull.

3. Do not place your Kayak under direct sunlight, without any sort of protection. The harmful rays of the sunlight will deteriorate the health of your Kayak beyond repair.

Some Additional Helpful Tips on How to Store a Kayak in an Apartment

Stashing a kayak in a small apartment can be easy, as long as you follow these tips and tricks! Here are some helpful Kayak storage ideas.

1. Search for a Shaded Place

Kayaks can only remain in good condition if they are stored in a shaded area, away from moisture, and sunlight. That’s why the first place you should consider storing your Kayak is indoors. However, if that’s out of the question, then you need to find a secure and shaded place outdoors.

You could also cover the Kayak with a tarp for extra protection. Just make sure that you keep the Kayak away from the ground to prevent moisture from seeping inside, and from deforming the hull of the Kayak. (2)

2. Store it on a Suspension System

You can buy a rack from a shop, and place your Kayak on or above it. Buy a rack that provides adequate support to the sides of the Kayak. Also, you can also store a Kayak vertically, with the hull facing up.

Another suspension option for storing a Kayak is to suspend it from the ceiling. This would save you a ton of floor space.

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FAQs

Is it safe for a Kayak to be stored outside during the winter season?

The Winter season means that you would have to stow away your Kayak until the summer arrives, and you can go Kayaking again. Till then, you’d need to find the perfect storage space to keep your Kayak safe.

While storing your Kayak indoors is ideal, you can also store it outdoors during the winter as well. Just make sure that you cover it with a heavy-duty tarp for protection. Keep a close eye on the condition of the tarp, and don’t let snow, hail, or water collect over the tarp. These elements can prove to be just as damaging as sunlight at times, as they could mess with its form.

Ideally, store it under a makeshift structure, and keep it away from the ground. This way, moisture or water won’t get inside, and your Kayak will stay protected from mold.

Is storing a Kayak vertically advisable?

Yes, you can store your Kayak vertically on one end, but only for a short period of time. If Kayaks are suspended vertically for too long, their hull could get deformed, and damaged. If it stays hung from just one end, additional pressure would fall on the body of the boat, leading to the end of the boat sustaining damage. So we’d say store it vertically for not more than one day if you don’t want to risk the Kayak getting damaged.

How can I store an inflatable Kayak?

Storing an inflatable Kayak is extremely easy, but before you do that, make sure you rinse it. Then, deflate the Kayak and neatly fold it. Stash it in a cool and dry place to prevent the growth of mold. Also, make sure to fold the Kayak differently each time you store it to prevent the formation of seams in its skin.

Even if you are storing the inflatable Kayak inside your house, or somewhere indoors, make sure it is protected with a tarp. This would keep the Kayak safe from debris and other substances. Never store your Kayak inflated, as it would end up severely damaging the valves and the skin of the Kayak.

Below, you may check other articles and product guides that might help you in the future.

References
(1) fresh water – https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/freshwater-lakes-and-rivers-and-water-cycle
(2) moisture – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/moisture-concentration