Prep Your Kayak for Spring
Winter is almost over, and spring will be here before you know it! The spring months offer a great window of time for you to prep your kayak for the upcoming season. You want to be ready to hit the water on the first available opportunity and not have to worry about replacing parts or washing.
Here are five tips to prep your kayak for spring and get out there faster!
Five Steps to Get Your Kayak Water Ready
Check for Any Damage from Storage
Once you take your kayak out of storage, take a few minutes to look it over and check for any damage. Plastic kayaks are prone to dings and scratches and there might not be a need for any maintenance immediately but take note of what you see.
If you notice a slight depression in the hull from sitting for a long period, leave it in the sun to warm it up.
Give it a Good Wash
You don’t need to spend hours scrubbing your kayak back to new. We do recommend giving it a good rinse to remove any buildup or grime. Letting any gunk sit on your kayak may lead to corrosion or other issues.
Just take your hose and give it a good spray throughout the interior and exterior. To give it a good wash after sitting in storage, use warm water with sponge to give it a good cleaning.
Wax to Protect from the Sun
If your kayak is made from plastic (polyethylene), give it a good wax using an automotive wax specifically created for boats. This type of wax offers UV protection for your plastic kayak and extends the life of your kayak.
Always keep your kayak covered if you store it outside during the nice, summer months to protect it from the sun!
Update Any Old Parts
If your kayak seat is sagging or your bungee line is fraying, now is the time to replace those parts before you even hit the water. Think about last season and any maintenance for your kayak that you wanted to do.
Tackle these projects now and allow yourself time to research, find the right parts, and install them before that first nice day arrives.
Restock Your Emergency Kit
Update and restock your emergency kit, or bailout bag. The complexity of your emergency kit depends on the type of kayaking you like to do. This step is especially important if you’re planning any long kayak paddles on a river or any kayak camping trips.
You might need just to update any first aid items if you plan on paddling around lakes or rivers that aren’t populated.
If you don’t necessarily need an emergency kit, you might want to consider getting a few waterproof bags to hold items like your phone and snacks for when you take your kayak around a small lake or short trip.
Do you have any questions or want to see what new kayaks storage options are available? Visit our inventory or send us a message, and we’d be happy to help!