How to Build a Kayak Storage Rack

Once summer's over it's time to start thinking about how and where to store you kayak. Although you might be able to keep it somewhere else like at a friend's or relative's house or at a boat storage facility near the water, it's more convenient and often less costly to just store it at home. Build a kayak storage rack for home use to save money and avoid hassles.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Screwdriver
• Hooks
• Rack straps or ropes
• Pool noodles (possibly)
• Pulleys (possibly)

Instructions

1. Figure out where you'll store your kayak. Store it in your garage if you have one; otherwise, store it inside your house or apartment. Plan to use a space large enough to hold your kayak and calculate dimensions based on kayak size. Know that you may have to store up high and away in the top part of a room or garage.

2. Come up with a simple design. Refrain from making it complicated unless you enjoy complex building projects. Realize you don't need to create an architect project to build a kayak storage rack. Find that simpler is better and a simple design will be sufficient for holding your kayak during storage.

3. Pick a method. Build a kayak storage rack with rack straps or pulleys and smaller hooks, or build one with larger hooks or storage arms that are covered with plastic, foam or pool noodles (usually used for flotation devices while swimming). Design a combination of both if preferred.

4. Buy hooks or storage arms. Find all sized hooks and storage arms (or even sturdy shelving hooks) at any hardware store. Purchase specialized storage hooks/arms at boat and other outdoor sports shops for a higher price. Order these items online as well.

5. Build a kayak storage rack with hooks and rack straps (or ropes and pulleys). Screw in or attach your hooks or clips to the wall or an existing beam. Realize that you may have to find the stud behind the wall to screw in to (especially if your walls are made out of sheet rock material). Make sure you have calculated the dimensions and measured properly and you have marked evenly aligned spots for the hooks. Use more support for the middle and heaviest part of your kayak.

6. Use new rack straps since they tend to become frayed and weak after long use. Keep from having your kayak fall and break by using new straps. Secure the straps to the mounted hooks. Use a small clip, pulley, clamp or lock to hold the straps in place if necessary. Wrap the long parts of the straps around your kayak and pull up evenly. Utilize ropes and pulleys as an alternative.

7. Construct a kayak storage rack instead with storage arms and pool noodles. Make sure the storage arms are large and long enough to accommodate your kayak. Buy enough of them also to hold your kayak securely. Attach the arms to the wall or a beam firmly. Size and cut pool noodles. Cover the arms with the cut foam to keep them from scratching your kayak. Note that some storage arms are already covered with a protective coating or plastic protective material.

8. Erect a free-standing kayak rack as an alternative. Use an A-frame or a rectangle design. Build the rack out of wood, metal (covered with foam or pool noodle material) or strong plastic. Make sure it's sturdy and has enough space to hold your kayak securely. You'll need additional materials for this sort of storage rack project (a saw, hammer, nails, clamps and glue.)

9. Store your kayak on its side. Keep from hanging or laying it upright, upside down or up and down, nor do you want to hang it from the kayak's handles or any other piece. Prevent warping or bending your kayak by storing it correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Start from the ground when beginning to lift your kayak up to its storage location with straps or ropes. This prevents it from slipping out as you pull it up on each side. Alternate pulling up each side and do so gradually so that your kayak doesn't fall out on the way up.

Resources

• Read forum advice about kayak storage
• Get more kayak storage advice