So, you’ve bought your own very new kayak, but don’t know how to and where to store it? Most probably, you’ll be storing it in your garage, if you have a big one. Perhaps, if you don’t happen to have a big garage, then you’ll opt for somewhere else…
No matter where you decide to store your kayak, you definitely have to know how to hang your kayak in the best possible way. But, it can be intimidating as a process. That’s why we are here!
After gathering the best tried and tested techniques throughout the browser, we’ve come up with the best easy-to-understand guide for hanging your kayak in your garage.
Make sure to stay with us till the very end and you’ll clear all your headache of solving the riddle “How to store your kayak in your garage?”.
Table of Contents
How To Hang A Kayak In Garage:
Note:
For those of you, who are looking for the best way to store your first kayak, there might be some terms that appear unfamiliar as you read on. For making a bit more sense for you as you read on, we’ve added some brief definitions of the terms.
- DIY
DIY- do it yourself- is a cheaper way of hanging your kayak, but it requires more effort, time and a little bit more care too!
- D-rings
A D-ring, as the name suggests is a d-shaped ring used to provide a secure point for secure attachments of various equipment or items.
- Mounting Hardware
Mounting hardware usually includes items like D-rings, bolts, screws, etc which are used for holding certain objects. Generally speaking, it can be defined as anything that can be used to secure a ceiling or wall-mounted kayak rack.
- Studs
A stud, in construction terms, is a vertical board, typically made up of timber that reaches back at the bottom of the wall to support it.
They are usually installed 16 inches into the wall, and provide much more stability and strength when it comes to (hanging a kayak rack) than the drywall, that has been installed over those studs.
Dos and Don’ts of storing a kayak
Before we give you the instructions for storing and hanging a kayak in the garage, here are a few tips you must consider before you store a kayak
Thoroughly Clean And Drain Your Kayak
First of all, you have to make sure that your kayak is thoroughly cleaned. Perhaps if you don’t want to find your kayak a complete mess when you take it out for a little adventure.
To clean your kayak, first of all, start by removing any fabric material, such as seat cushions, or storage compartment covers. These materials can be machine washed, but it’s always useful to read the user’s manual first.
Next, prepare a mixture of hot water with mild soap and wet the entire kayak with the mixture. Use a scrubber or sponge to thoroughly wash the kayak.
Once you’ve scrubbed the kayak well enough, rinse it out with clean water to remove the soap or any debris formed by the scrubbing process. With that done, move on to the draining process.
Sit-on-top kayaks are much easier to drain than sit-inside kayaks. Sit-on-top kayaks usually have scupper holes typically located at the bow or stern of the kayak and are designed to get any water outside of the kayak.
However, these holes can get clogged sometimes due to exposure to mud. So firstly, clean the holes, and then stand the kayak vertically for thorough drainage.
A sit-inside kayak has a completely different hull shape and also doesn’t have any holes for drainage. To drain a sit-inside kayak, most people flip it upside down, but obviously, it isn’t enough for thorough drainage. That’s why we’d recommend using a sponge afterward.
Though this isn’t much of a problem for a heated garage, we’d still recommend it because most garages aren’t heated. The freeze-thaw cycle in colder climates can damage the hull shape of the kayak. That’s why you need to get your kayak through drainage before storing it!
Temperature and Humidity
One of the most crucial factors of storing a kayak and maximizing its life span is to keep the humidity and temperature of the area consistent. In some cases, it is really hard.
Most of the time, garages aren’t heated, This means that their temperature can rise extremely high during summer, and extremely low during winter. if you don’t find a way to manage it, then these temperature fluctuations can have a drastic effect on your kayak.
There are a couple of things you can do to tackle these problems, without having yourself troubled with installing a bunch of pipework to connect the garage with your central home heating or cooling systems.
For a cooler environment, you can buy a small space heater. Though it’s the best and cheapest way, it can raise your electric bills. But, for your kayak’s safety, it’s worth it.
Humidity can also cause your kayak a lot of trouble. It may cause rust to certain components, Mold is also more likely to develop on the fabric part of your kayak.
If you live in a humid environment, installing a dehumidifier is the best way to cope with the situation. These things can protect your kayak from the humidity, but they require more work than heaters as you have to empty the water that the dehumidifier removes from the air.
With that said, having the temperature and humidity consistent is one of the crucial steps you need to take to maintain the lifetime of your kayak. The best part is that you take care of your kayak, sparing your time and money!
Surface Choice
Never store a kayak inside or outside on a rough surface! Doing so can damage the hull shape of the kayak which compromises its performance on the water.
The best way to store your kayak in a garage is to store it up and off the kayak. It’s because if the kayak is left lying on the hull (or desk), it can lead to irreversible dents.
If you have to store your kayak outside, pick a grassy surface. Having a trap or rug down the kayak is recommended. Lastly, make sure that it is either placed on the sides or faced downward.
Best Ways to Store A Kayak in Garage
1. Over-head suspension system
One of the best ways to store a kayak in a garage is by hanging it. Of course, if you have a high enough garage. The over-head suspension system will also save you a lot of space, making it the best method in case you face space issues.
Because of its complexity, it’s recommended to buy a set with all the required components so that you get a proper installation. The set will also come with a proper guide that’ll guide you in and out for the installation process.
For the installation process, you’ll need a set of ceiling studs. And make sure that the studs are stable enough
The only downside to this suspending method is that installation requires a lot of time and energy. Moreover, you’ll need to be consistent and confident enough while doing the job.
2. Wall-mounted rack
Though this method uses much space, it’s among the most popular applied methods for storing a kayak. With a wall-mounted rack, you can store from 1 up to multiple kayaks using the rack.
The thing you need to consider before installing a wall-mounted rack is to make sure the stud is mounted underneath the sheetrock, as the rack will be hanging the kayak, and needs to be stable enough to do so.
Secondly, make sure that the door of the garage can open and close easily with the mounted rack.
If you’re a fan of DIY (do it yourself), then you can make a wall-mounted rack yourself. You just need some PVS pipes connectors, wall mounting brackets, PVC pipes, etc. And with that, you can make a wall-mounted kayak rack yourself.
When going for a wall-mounted kayak rack, always remember to make sure that the arms of the kayak are well padded. This will give the kayak extra safety as it has to stay there for extended periods of time.
3. Portable stands
This method is by far the easiest method of storing a kayak in your garage. Super easy to set up, you can store your kayak wherever you want without even a sweat!
This method, unlike all the other methods on our list, will require much floor space for your garage. You can typically measure the floor space needed by measuring the dimensions of your kayak.
Portable stands are a great choice because they can be assembled easily. If you temporarily need to shift the kayak for some purpose, you can easily relocate the stand! This method is also a great choice if in case you don’t want to drill holes in your garage.
Mostly, the portable stands come in a pack of two so that they provide a stable enough base for your kayak to rest on.
4. Wall Mounted Sling Set
Kayaks can also be hung horizontally on the wall without installing permanent wall racks. The mounted sling method requires stable hardware mounted on the wall, and it relies on hanging the kayak through straps.
The straps will come from the mounting hardware and (as the name suggests) they will hang the kayak by creating a sling. Using only one set of mounting hardware, you can store up to two kayaks!
The most important benefit of the wall-mounted sling method is that you can spare some extra space. A wall rack installation takes a significant amount of space, requiring more items to move out as you store the kayak. All that can be avoided with the mounted sling system.
The only drawback to the mounted sling system is that dismounting the kayak can be a pain, especially if it’s a heavier and longer one. Perhaps, you might want to call a buddy to take the weight of the kayak while you loosen and unhook the straps.
5. Upright Storage Method
The last method of storing a kayak on our list is the upright storage method. Yes! You can hang a kayak in your garage vertically. This method won’t take a bunch of wall space width-wise, perhaps you want to make sure that your garage is tall enough, (taller than your kayak) for this method.
This method, among others, is a relatively easy DIY method of storing a kayak in your garage. Perhaps, you’ll only need some straps and some secure wall mounts where those straps can be tied around.
Likewise, for all other wall-mounted methods, this method will also require you to have mounted studs on the wall. Since the weight of the kayak rests down on the wall, the mounted studs don’t need to be too stable to hang a kayak.
They only have to provide a tie space for the straps, to prevent the kayak from falling down.
Of course, you should always put some soft thing, like a towel or used blanket underneath the bow or stern of the kayak. This way, you’ll provide the kayak with a safer base to rest on.
You easily can make an Upright DIY storage method of your own. You only need a couple of D-rings, some tie-downs, and two straps for holding the kayak in place.
Secure the Kayak
Properly storing your kayak in the garage is crucial for its safety and longevity. One effective method to save space and prevent damage is by hanging it.
Start by choosing a strong and dependable mounting system, like a pulley or hoist. Then, carefully lift and position the kayak onto the mounting system, making sure it’s level and secure.
Lastly, adjust the straps or ropes to ensure proper support and stability, preventing any shifting or falling. By following these simple steps, you can confidently store your kayak in the garage, knowing it’s well-protected.
Conclusions
The best way to store a kayak in your garage should be easy and less expensive. That’s why we’ve come up with a couple of methods so that you can decide which one is the best effect for yourself.
Perhaps if you opt for making a DIY affordable method of your own, make sure to follow the instructions so that you may not face any problems.
Let us know in the comment box below how much you liked our content and which method are you going to choose for your kayak. 🙂
