Gear: Low-Tech Kayak Storage

October-November 1997

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Ted Wilson

Because my kayak is made of epoxy coated plywood, it is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation and should be stored away from the sun's rays. I have found a simple method to keep the boat out of the way and under cover yet ready for instant loading on the car. The sketch shows the system which you might be able to adapt to your own situation.

A pair of ropes set about four feet from each end of the kayak provides the support. Each rope is secured to the rafter of my carport at one end and is run over a beam at the other. No pulleys are used. The kayak is light enough to be pulled up simply by hauling down on the ropes. It is best to have two people raise or lower the boat simultaneously but it can be done by one person in two or three stages, by raising (or lowering) one end part way and cleating it off, then the other end, etc.