If you’re someone who is just getting started with kayaking, it’s important that you take the time to learn how to store your kayak for winter. Winter storage is something many people miss out on and then when they go to pick their kayak back up for a kayak trip in the spring, they find out it doesn’t look or function the same.
Here are the main things you must know in order to store it properly.
Clean The Outer Side Thoroughly
The first thing you should be doing is making sure you wash the entire kayak down with a hose first. This will clean off any dirt, salt, or other substances that might have gotten onto it during the summer runs.
A typical garden hose will work perfectly for this – just be sure you are cleaning all sides as best as you can.
Don’t Neglect The Inner Portion
Once you’re finished cleaning the outside, then your next step is to also clean the inside out as well. Usually water will get into the kayak as you’re running the waves and if the salt sits there over winter it could weaken the boat.
Don’t forget to clean in and around the handles as well – every area needs to be washed with clean water.
Stand It At An Angle
After you’ve finished watering it down, then the next thing to do will be to stand it upright at an angle. This will allow all the water to run off it and then when you store it, if it happens to rain or snow (if you’re storing it outside), the water there will also run off it.
You never want to let water sit in your kayak and accumulate when you store it over the winter.
Add A Cover
Finally, if you’re planning on storing it outside and the area you’re thinking about does get a fair amount of sunlight, then you should also cover it with some form of tarp or other material.
This will be important to protect it from UV rays, which can really damage your boat.
So keep these tips in mind to store your kayak over winter. If you do them immediately after you finish your last trip, then you know you will be able to pick your kayak up again next year in the similar condition you left it.
