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Owning your own kayak can unlock the joy of being on the water, but it begs the question - where the heck am I going to store it? Here are a few tips for taking care of your kayak when not on the water.

DOCKSIDE STORAGE

One of the easiest ways to store your kayak is to find a retailer, rental operation or paddling club that offers waterside storage - that way your kayak is there and at the ready whenever you are. Some locations also offer longer-term winter storage options.

INSIDE STORAGE

Storing a kayak inside is great protection for the boat, but can be challenging depending on your space constraints. Luckily, several options exist for minimizing space, such as hanging the kayak from the ceiling or wall, or buying or building bracket racks for it to rest on.

CEILING MOUNTS

Some do-it-yourselfers like to screw eyebolts into their ceilings, or build a loft/rack out of two-by-fours, and hoist the boats up and out of the way. If you go to route, make sure you’re hitting a stud with your mounting screws, and try to wrap the hull with your slings.

WALL MOUNTS

These usually take the form of large brackets to hold the kayaks horizontally against a wall. With enough space, you can often store three kayaks above one another on the same wall. As with ceiling storage, make sure the brackets are anchored into wall studs, and try to put the brackets on each side of the cockpit, the kayak's strongest point, for the most support, and avoid hanging by the kayak's handles.

GOLDEN RULE #1

Regardless of your storage choice, always follow the three Golden Rules. First - dry the kayak out first by draining water from the drain plug (if provided), as well wiping it down with a towel or sponge, especially around the cockpit and storage hatches to prevent any unwanted mold and mildew.

GOLDEN RULE #2

Try not to subject your kayak to extreme heat or cold by keeping it away from direct sources and avoiding temperatures below freezing.

GOLDEN RULE #3

If possible, don't hang your kayak from its grab loops or handles, which can cause unnecessary stress and warping. Instead try to wrap the whole hull with your straps.