Can You Store Your Kayak Outside?
Owning a kayak and being able to head out on the lake whenever and wherever you want is great, but kayaks are big and bulky and finding a place to store them inside can be challenging and inconvenient. Keeping them closer the water and at the ready would be ideal, but is it OK to store them outside?
Indoor vs Outdoor Kayak Storage
Keeping your kayak indoors offers the best protection. It’s better protected from the elements like direct sunlight, rain, high winds, hail and snow. It’s harder for someone to steal or vandalize and it’s less likely to become inhabited by a small critter. But it’s not always very practical. Storing your kayak outdoors is fine, as long as you take a few precautions.
How to Safely Store Your Kayak Outdoors
Proper storage is key to keeping your kayak in tip-top shape and protected from damage. A good storage location is one that limits exposure to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and moister. You’ll also want to keep it off the ground. Here are some tips for storing your kayak outside.
Keep it Shaded
A nice shady spot will help protect your kayak from harmful UV rays and excessive heat. If your property doesn’t offer a lot of natural shade, consider placing it below the eaves of a roof or under a strung-up tarp. We do not recommend wrapping the kayak in the tarp. This can create a wet environment that promotes mold or fungal growth as well as hold snow or rainwater, which can deform the boat and exceed the weight limits if using a kayak rack.
Protect from Moisture
Constant exposure to rain and snow can degrade hull materials overtime. When storing your kayak outside, make sure you store it upside down so water can’t collect in the kayak. You can also wrap each kayak in a waterproof and UV-protected kayak cover for additional protection.
Keep it Off the Ground
Use a kayak rack or suspension cords to keep your kayak off the ground. Storing your kayak directly on the ground or floor can cause hull deformation and exposes it to dirt and moisture.
Keep it Clean
You should always give your kayak a rinse off before storing it to remove dirt, sand, salt and grime.
Distribute the Weight
Uneven weight distribution or even tight straps can cause hulls to deform over time. A quality rack can help make sure your kayak is properly and evenly supported.
Protect it from Theft
With outdoor storage, unfortunately, you may need to consider protecting your kayak from being stolen. Keep it hidden from view, if possible, and consider adding a security cable and lock.
Outdoor Kayak Racks
Log Kayak Rack handcrafts heavy-duty outdoor storage racks for kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board (SUP) from northern white cedar logs. We offer a huge selection of commercial-grade kayak racks that can store and display anywhere from one to eight kayaks at a time. Our kayak racks are naturally weather resistant and designed for indoor or outdoor use to keep your equipment lasting longer, your property looking cleaner, and get you back out on the water faster. Shop our full selection of free-standing, ground buried, wall-mounted and dock-mounted outdoor kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom solution to your outdoor storage needs.