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Best Ways to Store Your Kayaks in the Garage 1080 696 BassGrab

Best Ways to Store Your Kayaks in the Garage

Kayaks are one of the absolute best ways to get out on the water and start fishing at a reasonable cost. They are also the most stealthy vessels for tracking fish and offer great exercise. However, one downside to kayaks is that they can be difficult to store. Finding a space for a 12ft or longer kayak where it isn’t going to be exposed to sun and other weather can be a struggle. That is why you will want to invest in a kayak garage storage solution to protect your kayak and save space.

Kayak Storage Quicklinks

Common Sources of Kayak Damage

Kayak storage needs to be decided carefully as there are definitely incorrect ways to store your boat that can damage or deform it. Kayaks are most commonly damaged by extreme temperatures, prolonged UV exposure, excessive moisture, and contact with hard surfaces. Let’s break each of these down to learn more.

  • Extreme Temps – Extreme heat and extreme cold does damage to everything, kayaks in particular. Due to the plastic construction of kayaks the extreme heat can cause warps in the shape and extreme cold can create cracks.
  • UV Exposure – The sun causes a lot of damage and can cause rubber, fiberglass, and plastics to become brittle and crack if exposed for a long time.
  • Excessive Moisture – This one sounds funny considering that kayaks are meant for water, however they are meant to be in water and then dry out. Keeping a kayak stored under a tarp traps moisture around the boat and can cause mold and mildew issues that will affect the fabrics and finish.
  • Contact with Hard Surfaces – Leaving your kayak hull sitting on concrete or metal can cause the boat hull to deform which will affect your tracking in the water. Kayaks are best stored upside down or on the side across the stronger and thicker side rails.

Kayak Storage Solutions

01.

Kayak Wall Mount Arms

Wall mount arms are a great solutions for kayak storage. Just be sure to bolt them directly into the studs so they have enough strength to hold your kayak. The arms get your kayak up off the ground and out of the way so you can still utilize your garage while storing your kayak in a protected environment.

  • Cost effective storage solution
  • Easy to access
  • Off the ground
  • Padded arms
02.

Freestanding Kayak Rack

Freestanding kayak racks are great if you want a storage solution but can’t drill into walls or you don’t want it to be installed permanently. The racks can be pushed up against walls and out of the way, or you can opt for a double sided rack that can support up to four kayaks. This is a great solution and it makes it easy to store your boat.

  • Large kayak storage capacity
  • Not permanent
  • Tools not required
  • Ease of access
03.

Kayak Ceiling Pulley Mount

Getting a kayak rigged up to mount to the ceiling is the most space saving method available. Garages typically have taller ceilings and the space is unused, you just have to navigate the garage door and handle some installation. This is a great solution and works very well for a clean and out of the way spot to store your kayak. It can also double a storage area for ladders, bikes, or anything else that fits.

  • Very reasonable price for storage
  • Maximize your garage space
  • Off the ground
  • Unique solution
04.

Upright Kayak Storage

If your kayak is short enough or your garage is tall enough then you have the option to store it standing upright on the stern. Make sure to get a rubber or foam pad to place under the end of your kayak and I would highly suggest also using an anchored wall strap like the ones below to use up top unless you have it angled into the corner. If you do have a free corner this is a very cost effective and easy storage method.

  • Easiest storage and access
  • Low cost option
  • Upright and tucked away
05.

DIY Kayak Winch Storage

All of the kayak storage solutions above are excellent, however if you want to go a step further and have the skills to build a winch driven ceiling system, then I highly recommend it. I personally came up with this design for my kayaks to get them up and out of the way to use the garage. It makes use of a pulley system that is mounted to the ceiling where all four ropes are run through a single carabiner and come together at a wall mounted winch with a hand crank and auto braking to ensure the kayak won’t fall from the ceiling. I came up with this because it allows the kayak to stop at any point along the way from floor to ceiling, and it’s much easier than trying to hand pull the rope to hoist the kayak. Feel free to reach out with questions and check out the materials I used to build this.

  • Strong and durable kayak storage
  • Easy to raise and lower kayak
  • Maximize space
  • Stop kayak at any point
  • Directly lower and raise from vehicle roof rack

Materials

05.

A Kayak that Stores itself

Along with these amazing storage concepts and ideas, you could also consider choosing a portable kayak. This would allow you to store the kayak very easily without taking up a lot of space since they collapse and compress into a smaller, easy-to-store shape. This also helps with the transport of the kayak to and from your residence. Lastly, a portable kayak would allow you easily keep your kayak in an apartment or condo that might not have garage space.

  • Easy transportation
  • Takes up little space
  • No extra storage cost
  • Easy to access

    Heath Anderson

    Heath lives in North Carolina and has been an avid fisherman and all around outdoorsman for the past three decades. In addition to enjoying the outdoors, Heath has been active in the online fishing industry since 2010, teaching and sharing reviews of fishing products on BassGrab.com to help anglers catch more and look good while doing it.

    All stories by: Heath Anderson
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