The 5 Best Methods For Storing Kayaks In Garage Long-term

One of the most significant downsides of owning a kayak is finding a place to store it, which leads you to the dilemma of choosing between indoor and outdoor storage solutions.

Today we’re going to be talking about storing your kayak in a garage, but that does lead to another problem. Do you have the space for indoor kayak storage?

If you don’t have space in your garage, check out this article on how to store your kayak outside.

Even if you’re blessed enough to have a garage available, it still takes up a lot of room. And if you don’t use the right kayak storage solution, you’ll quickly find the space in your garage slowly disappear. 

In this article, we’re going to introduce you to the best methods for storing kayaks in a garage.

What Is The Best Way To Store Kayaks?

Before I get into how you should store kayaks in the garage, I first want to talk you through some of the best practices. 

Storing your kayak on the ground isn’t advised because, over long periods, it can cause deformations. Not only that but exposing your kayak to moisture and dirt can cause further damage to your kayak. 

When it comes to storing your kayak, your best options are:

And it’s not just about what you use to store a kayak. You also need to understand what you need to avoid when storing your kayak indoors. 

Let’s take a look at what you should avoid at costs when you’re storing your kayak indoors:

Understanding these few factors before you try and store a kayak in the garage will help in the long run. Keep them in mind for the later sections; you’re going to need them to help figure out your best kayak storage solution.

Preparing Your Kayak For Storage

Before you store a kayak, you need to think about how to prepare for storing your kayak. It’s no good storing your kayak anywhere without first preparing for it. 

If you want to prevent any damage from happening to your kayak during indoor storage, you need to follow these steps.

These steps are essential during the winter when your kayak will be sitting in one spot for months. Check them out:

Selecting The Right Spot

Before putting your kayak anywhere, you need to have an idea of where it should go in your garage. First of all, the area needs to be large enough to store a kayak, so try and do the math beforehand.

You also need to determine if it stays away from direct sunlight, heat sources, moisture, and freezing temperatures. Any of these factors can cause extreme damage to your kayak, which is not what you want.

Clean Your Kayak

Before storing your kayak, it’s imperative that you clean it first. How well you have to clean the kayak depends on how long you will store it.

If you’re only going to be storing it away for a few days, you’ll only have to rinse off the dirt with some water. Basically, you need to remove any dirt, soil, salt, or oil that might be on the kayak. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxWgovxG0lI

But if you’re storing a kayak over the winter, you’ll have to take a little bit more care. Wash your kayak with soapy water to help remove the harmful oils. Once you’re done, rinse the kayak thoroughly to ensure no residue remains.

Once you’ve finished your cleaning, get a soft towel and completely dry the entire kayak. Make sure you pay special attention to the drain plug and hatch.

If you leave water in the kayak, not only will it cause damage, but you also run the risk of mold building up inside.

If mold does occur during the storing process, you’ll have to follow a unique method to remove it.

Cover The Kayak

Even if you’re storing your kayak in your garage, it’s still a good idea to use a storage cover. A good cover will help ensure that no moisture or bugs can get into your boat.

If you don’t fancy buying a cover, you can always use a tarp as a viable option. You just need to avoid wrapping the kayak too tight with the tarp. If it traps any moisture, you’re going to be in trouble later down the line.

Make Sure You Can Position The Kayak Correctly

The last and probably biggest consideration for storing your kayak is to place it in the correct position. 

You have the choice of storing the kayak vertically or horizontally, although the latter is better over long periods. That being said, if you do choose horizontally, make sure it’s never placed entirely flat; you can warp the kayak.

How To Hang Kayaks In The Garage: The Five Most Commonly Asked Questions

While I was doing my research, I found people were asking the same five things in regards to storing their kayak in the garage.  

And with so many people asking the questions but not many people answering, I wanted to take some time out to explain the different methods.

So, if you want a complete guide on the different kayak storage ideas for your garage, don’t go anywhere; this section is for you:

#1 How Do You Store A Kayak Over The Garage Door?

Many people like to store their kayaks hanging from the garage ceiling. But some of them run into a significant problem, the garage door. 

Luckily, if your garage door takes up the room you want to take for your kayak, there is a way around it. If you have enough clearance when your garage door is open, you can slip it over the garage door.

How, you ask?

Keep reading, because I’m about to explain, but first, let’s talk about what you’ll need to get the job done:

Okay, now you’ve got all your stuff together, it’s time to get started on the process, which you can follow along with here.

The first step is to measure a space roughly 20″ wide where you can place the eyebolts to hang the kayak.

Figure out the correct position for the front of your kayak and mark it out with a pencil. Once you’ve marked the spots, drill a hole at the right size for the bolts.  

Once you’ve made the hole, start screwing in the eyebolts, you might need to use the screwdriver to gain some leverage. 

Next, follow the same steps for the rear of the kayak; make sure you measure how far back you need them to be.

Once all the eyebolts are securely in the ceiling, you can connect your nylon hook straps to the eyebolts. 

When the straps are in place, you can slide your kayaks through the straps; make sure you get help if you need it. When the kayak is in the straps, start tightening it until it’s flush with the ceiling.

And there you have it, an extremely cheap way to store a kayak without taking up room that you can use for something else. Pretty cool, right?

#2 How To Hang A Kayak On A Wall?

One of my favorite ways to hang kayaks in the garage is to use a wall-mounted storage rack. It’s simple to do and highly efficient.

The first thing you’re going to need is a lot of wall space, as I’m sure you can imagine. The next thing you need to find is the studs underneath the sheetrock. The studs are the only part that will hold the kayak for extended periods. 

If you have more than one kayak that needs storing, you shouldn’t have any problems using one section of the wall using this technique. 

There are a few things you should double-check before you start drilling:

If the space you want to hang your kayak meets these criteria, you’re good to go. 

Kayak mounts are very easy to install, so you shouldn’t have any problems. Just follow the manufacturer’s guide; each one installs slightly differently, which is why I’m not going to explain it here. 

If you don’t fancy buying a kayak rack, and you’re a bit of a dab-hand at DIY, you can always try and make your own wall-mounted kayak rack. 

#3 How To Hang Kayaks From The Ceiling?

If your kayak can’t fit under a garage door, but you still want to hang it from the ceiling, don’t go anywhere because you have another option. 

One of the most remarkable methods I’ve seen is making an overhead suspension system that hangs from the ceiling. 

It’s a fantastic system to use if you’re short on space in your garage because it raises it entirely out of the way. That being said, it’s quite a complex system, so it’s probably best to buy the system because it comes with detailed instructions. 

One of the most critical aspects of installing this system is to ensure that you’re using the studs in the ceiling so it can support the weight of your kayak. 

If you want to have a go at making one yourself, I’ve found a pretty detailed YouTube video you should check out. It lists everything you need for the job and explains how to put it together; check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uxeidqVxaY

The only downside to using this system is the time and effort it takes to install. You’ll need to be very confident with your DIY skills if you want to try and create an overhead suspension system.

#4 How To Store A Sit On Top Kayak Upright?

Although storing your kayak vertically isn’t the best method, you can still do it relatively easily with limited equipment. 

If the amount of storage space you have on the wall is limited width-wise, then vertical storage might be the only method you have for storing your kayak in the garage. That being said, you have to make sure you have the height in your garage to stand a kayak up. 

You’ll find this method relatively easy DIY-wise, all you need is a couple of straps and secure wall mounts for the straps to be attached to. 

Another thing you should look at is a piece of foam or at least something soft to protect your stern. Over time the weight of the kayak can damage your stern if it’s on a hard surface. 

Again, as with the other methods, you need to make sure you’re attaching the wall mounts into the studs if you don’t want your kayak to fall. It’s not as necessary due to not much weight being applied to the mounts, but it’s just good practice.

#5 How To Store Your Kayak With A Portable Stand? 

One of the last methods you have is probably the most convenient if your DIY skills aren’t up to scratch. The problem with a portable stand is it takes up a lot of room in your garage. 

But… 

If you have the floor space to store a kayak and don’t fancy doing any DIY, this is 100% the best option.

Portable stands are extremely easy to set up, and you can place them wherever you have floor space for it. 

One of the great things about portable stands is that you can move them around without refilling holes or drilling more.

Advantages Of Storing Your Kayak In The Garage

If you’re still not sure whether you should store a kayak inside or outside, let me talk you through some of the advantages you have to gain from storing your kayak in a garage:

Security 

One of the best things about storing your kayak in a garage is you don’t have to worry too much about security. There’s no need to look your kayak up like you have to when you’re storing a kayak outside. 

As long as you keep your garage secure, you don’t have to do anything else, and that’s a massive benefit.

It’s Easily Accessible

Storing your kayak in your garage should make it more accessible for you to get access to it. Plus, it should be right next to your car when you’re ready to use it, so you don’t have to carry the kayak too far.

It’s Not Exposed To The Weather

If your kayak is exposed to cold, UV, or moisture, it will start to become damaged over time. Keeping your kayak inside and covered will help to prevent any unnecessary damage and prolong its life span. And this is why indoor storage options are always the best method if you have the spare room for it.

Disadvantages Of Storing Your Kayak In The Garage

Although storing your kayak in the garage has many advantages over outdoor storage, it also comes with a slight disadvantage, which I think we should discuss here.

The main disadvantage is that it takes up space, and if you haven’t got a lot in your garage, it might not be the best option for you.

The advantages far outweigh the disadvantage, so if you have room in your garage, I would definitely recommend you to do so.

Key Insights & Takeaways

Okay, hopefully, this helped you understand the benefits of storing your kayak in a garage compared to outdoor storage and explained how to do it. 

But, what’s the best method of storing your kayak indoors? 

If I’m honest, there’s no correct answer; it all depends on what works best for your garage. Think about which kayak storage method will benefit you the most and go with that. 

The key is to make sure it’s kept away from Mother Nature and thieves; if you’ve got those two points covered, you’ll be fine. 

So, which method are you going to use? Outdoor or indoor storage?

Frequently Asked Questions