How to Store A Kayak | Long Term Storage for Kayaks and Fishing Kayaks

Every year as winter approaches and water temperatures begin to plummet, many paddlers and anglers start to think about tucking their beloved kayak away for the winter. Yes, it is possible to paddle and fish year-round with the proper experience, gear, and safety protocols. But for the general kayaking population, long term storage is a reality of owning a watercraft.
Before you throw it up on sawhorses or behind your shed, we’ve put together some storage best practices to help keep your kayak in good shape during the offseason. If you are lucky enough to live in a climate where you can enjoy the water year-round, you will find some useful storage tips here.
Contents of this video:
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Kayak Materials
00:57 - Frequently Asked Questions
01:19 - Sit On Top Kayak Storage Tips
02:03 - Sit Inside Kayak Storage Tips
04:26 - PDL Drive Storage Tips
04:52 - Kayak Motor Storage Tips
More Kayak Storage Reading: www.oldtowncanoe.com/blog/art...
#oldtownkayaks #oldtownfishing #oldtownsportsman

[@MNKayakFishingAdventures]

Great info! Thanks, gonna share with our club.

[@pamelaklemp5615]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks 😊. I just bought the Sportsman 106, PADDLE ONLY Version. The added info about the UV protection was helpful too, I'm in central Florida for a few months so that's extra important 😉 THANKS FOR THE INFO.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Great to hear!

[@peterlenhardt235]

Thanks for the tips.

[@precisionanglingYT]

Good info!!

[@Dr_Footbrake]

If you have a sit in/sea/touring kayak I’d recommend supporting it at the two points where the bulkheads are as they offer a bit more strength vs the other sections of the kayak.

[@kayakfishingwisconsin]

Great tips!

[@spagnolo1]

Excelente video ?? Old town los mejores Kayaks 💪🏼

[@jasonhayes2778]

Thanks for the valuable advice. I just moved my Autopilot in my finished basement on saw horses that aren't padded. Going to get some memory foam and pad the saw horses asap.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

A couple of strips of memory foam will do the trick! Sounds like you're taking great care of that AutoPilot already. No doubt that AutoPilot will love you back for years to come...

[@kle2217]

I don't have space inside for my 2 kayaks and plan to build some type of wooden structure in my backyard. It wood be cool if I could add caster wheels to the structure for maneuverability. But not sure if there are any casters in the market that are suitable for permanent use outdoors and exposed to rain and the weather?

[@MyJaguer]

In Spanish!!! Tienen muchos compradores de este lado! Saludos

[@nickkline6344]

I just picked up a sportsman 106 paddle only. Would storing inside upside down on a padded mattress be ok or would deck side up be better? What’s your thoughts on using the mattress?

[@collinstuart3622]

I just store mine in garage deck side up on old sofa cushions along the bottom of the kayak! I hope that’s the best and need my kayak to be comfy lol when not in use

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

The old couch cushion storage trick - way to pamper that kayak!

[@manujasenevirathne7663]

Please let me know safety for the kayak set up leaning on to a wall upright (vertically) placed safely without falling off. ? Is it okey for the structure of the kayak to place like that? Its a sit on kayak

[@pierrelemoine986]

In some of the Facebook sportsman user groups it was mentioned that top waters and sportsman kayaks could be stored flat right side up. I'm going to make some shelves of untreated plywood and put the sportsman on the shelf right side up. It will be supported all the way along. Is this ok? Or would pvc bunks running underneath in the hull chines be better? Thanks!

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

It is okay to store Topwater/Sportsman hulls right side up on a flat surface, but we strongly recommend padding the surface with a blanket or foam.

[@blinderb1032]

My bottom kayak, a SOT, if hull side down on the cement garage floor. Should I get it off of the cement for any reason? Asking from Wisconsin.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

It's always best to pad the surface if at all possible. Try placing a rug, blanket, or towels underneath the hull to help dampen the pressure. The cement itself does not present any risk of damage.

[@GrandPoppyA]

Unfortunately my AP 120 is being banished to the backyard here in Phoenix. I see that lateral support is recommended since it will be stored upside down, but not sure how that is done. Do you have instructions on how to approach this?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Check out some further tips from our website: oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/blog/ultimate-canoe-storage-guide#:~:text=STORE%20YOUR%20CANOE%20ON%20THE,ground%20or%20on%20its%20side.

[@BassKing916]

I have AP136 on trailer with bunks. I live in Northern California plenty of sunshine and occasional rain. Is it safe to store outside with just a cover? I use it about twice a month or more. Do I have to store it deck side down? Thank you

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

You can store it deck side up or down, so long as it is properly supported by distributing the weight of the hull. Furthermore, it is best if your cover does not touch the hull to prevent trapping moisture (unless it is a breathable material). Hope this helps!

[@MrNiceCobra]

What about hanging kayak from the wall, indoor, on straps(slings) that is sold for it? If yes , Sideway? Upright? Upside down? For Sit in and SOT please.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

It's best to suspend it upside down in that case. For both Sit-In and SOT.

[@kennylitch8933]

I have the PDL 106, can I leave it on my Yakima rack and roll trailer and pad the round bars?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Yes, that is an acceptable storage option. As you mentioned, pad the bars, and if possible, flip the kayak over onto the gunwales for long-term storage.

[@ericschinn]

I have an Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL being stored suspended with two kayak straps deck-side up. What are the downsides of doing this?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Even though it's a sit-on-top, storing deck-side-up (especially if outside or in a garage) can allow moisture to accumulate in the nooks and crannies of your kayak. Once there, it can freeze and expand, causing damage to the hull.

[@providedjoker2649]

I have the Sportsman PDL 106. I have no room to store it. I have it on its side leaning against my wall in the dining room. Is this ok…on its side against a wall??

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

If possible, add a blanket or padding under the hull where it contacts the floor. We also recommend leaving the seat installed for lateral support when on its side.

[@stephenburton1783]

Are the common homemade storage carts with two 3" pvc pipes running the length of the kayak ok for a bigwater 132 pdl

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Hi, Stephen - Yes, a homemade storage cart that supports the hull from bow to stern is a great option.

[@ManukauYakkin]

Is it acceptable to store a 132 upside down on padded saw horses long term indoors

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Yes, so long as the weight of the kayak is distributed evenly and the room is kept at a reasonable temperature.

[@jerrylum5123]

I just purchased the Old Town 106 PDL and the Owners Manual says: Kayaks should be stored on their sides or standing on one end? So is the way you recommend also correct as long as it's on padded beams?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Yes 😃

[@YAKINGWITHDREW]

I’m limited in room my old town 120 PdL fits in my garage but sideways is it safe to hang my kayak sideways?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Hi Drew - It is okay to hang your 120 on its side. Just make sure to leave the seat installed as lateral support, and do not hang from the handles or scuppers. Use wide and padded straps placed about 30% of the kayaks overall length from the bow and stern.

[@YAKINGWITHDREW]

Thank you for getting back to me and by the way I love this kayak!! Hopefully in the near future I’ll be getting my wife the PdL 106 !

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

@@YAKINGWITHDREW We are so glad to hear that! We appreciate having you a part of the Old Town family!

[@springfield1911guy]

Who makes those yellow stands on the video?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Those stands are from Suspenz

[@tombeckett4340]

Is that the same for your canoe ? Thanks 🇨🇦👍

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Hi Tom - Yes, the same principles apply to canoe storage. Upside down on the gunwales, with padded supports about 30% of the canoe’s overall length from the bow and stern. Inside if possible, away from direct sunlight and water.

[@tombeckett4340]

@@OldTownCanoeKayak 👍🇨🇦 . Thanks

[@ltleole1234]

So I guess my question would be, why not store it on racks coming out from the walls, hanging sideways. Is it just because the uneven distribution of weight? Does that even matter if its inside away from sunlight?

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Storing a kayak on its side on a J-style rack is acceptable, but not the best method. If you go this route, be sure to pad the supports to reduce the pressure points on the hull. And if it's a sit-on-top style kayak, we suggest leaving the seat installed to prevent lateral warping over time.

[@ltleole1234]

@@OldTownCanoeKayak Awesome, thank you very much! Hoping to get mine before it snows in Wisconsin.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

@@ltleole1234 We're happy to help!

[@karinandlarryathome8711]

We wanted to protect our three kayaks from the weather and chewing animals. See our enclosed three kayak solution at Karin and Larry at Home.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

Thanks, we'll check it out!

[@bosse641]

Thanks for the tips.

[@OldTownCanoeKayak]

You bet, John! Hope you have a great winter!