How to Store a Kayak Indoors and Outdoors

When you store a kayak, follow the support instructions for its model. REI recommends padded cradles or wide straps that follow the hull (the boat’s bottom), with support along its length; it says support about one-third of the way in from each end is effective.¹ REI recommends against leaving a kayak on the floor or ground for long periods and says never to hang it by the grab loops.¹ Old Town’s sit-on-top instructions allow flat-ground storage when moving blankets or foam padding dampen the surface.² A bulkhead is a partition between compartments: Eddyline says water moving from one compartment to another can indicate a bulkhead leak.³

This page summarizes published safety guidance. It is not a substitute for instruction, and conditions on your water may differ. Check the current rules for the state and water you paddle.

Key Takeaways

REI recommends shade and support that spreads a kayak’s weight along its length, with the boat supported about one-third in from each end (undated).¹
Old Town’s sit-on-top storage article permits deck-up or deck-down storage when the boat is adequately supported and says to keep the seat installed when storing it on its side (November 30, 2021).²
Eddyline’s Carbonlite manual names fitted cradles, slings, or wide padded supports near the bulkheads, and permits leaning the boat on its side or hanging it from slings (undated).³
Sea Eagle recommends folding its inflatable into its bag in a clean, dry space away from rodents, with a lidded bin as an outdoor option (undated).⁴

Choose a place that limits sun and weather

An indoor space such as a house, garage, or shed gives a kayak more protection from the elements. If you need to keep it outside, REI names spots under a deck, below roof eaves, or beneath a tarp suspended above the boat. Look for shade; if you use a tarp, cover the hull through the day without wrapping it tightly around the boat. REI cautions that direct tarp contact can promote mold or fungal growth in wet environments, and that rain or snow should not collect in or on the kayak. A tarp that fills with water can press down on the hull.¹

The location matters because REI identifies several kinds of exposure to limit. It says ultraviolet rays can degrade hull materials ranging from fiberglass and plastic to coated fabric, while ongoing rain or snow exposure can degrade materials over time. The guide also warns that extreme heat can deform hull materials. Cold is described as less of a concern than heat, though repeated freezing and thawing can potentially damage a boat, especially a fiberglass kayak repeatedly exposed to moisture in storage.¹

If you cover a kayak outside, REI recommends a weather-resistant tarp that covers the whole hull at all times of day when shade is unavailable. Suspend the cover above the hull instead of wrapping it around the boat. Check that the tarp cannot fill with rain or snow and press on the kayak; the guide warns that pressure can deform the hull. These details matter when choosing a sheltered place, because an overhead cover should protect the boat without creating a new source of contact or pressure.¹

Before storage, REI advises rinsing away dirt, sand, salt, or grime with fresh water, including around the rudder, rudder cables, and foot braces. The guide suggests washing with mild soap and water a couple of times each year, avoiding solvents or strong chemicals, and letting the boat air out and dry before putting it away. REI says this drying step also applies to inflatable and folding kayaks.¹

Support the hull across padded contact points

REI describes a rack that holds the boat off the ground, supporting it on its side or with the hull facing up. For suspension, it recommends wide straps around the boat’s body and says never to hang the kayak by its grab loops. The guide says to support the weight at points along the kayak’s length with padded cradles or wide straps that follow the hull’s curve; support about one-third of the way in on each end is effective. Avoid tightening storage straps as you would for car transport: REI warns that long-term strap pressure can deform the body of the kayak.¹

The maker instructions add model-specific positions and supports. Use the guidance for your own boat where it gives a more specific setup:

Publisher and scope	Position or support described
Old Town, sit-on-top kayaks	Adequately supported deck-up or deck-down; for side storage, use padded supports that conform to the hull and keep the seat installed. Its article also describes padding the ground with moving blankets or foam if a boat is stored flat. ²
Old Town, owner’s manual	Store kayaks on their sides or standing on one end if possible; another option is upside down in slings or on cradle-type saw horses. ⁵
Eddyline, Carbonlite 2000	Fitted cradles, slings, or wide padded supports are ideal; support under or near the bulkheads. The manual also permits leaning the boat on its side, hanging it from slings, or standing it on end. ³
Delta kayaks	Use a padded rack with supports beneath the hull’s strongest areas at the bulkheads in front of and behind the cockpit. Delta says outdoor storage is possible with precautions, but only as a last resort. ⁶

These instructions do not establish one position for every kayak. Keep each maker’s scope attached to its advice, and use supports that fit the hull. If a manual gives a setup for your model, follow that instruction rather than assuming another maker’s position applies.

Use a wall rack or suspension system

REI describes both rack and suspension setups. A rack can support the boat on its side or with the hull facing up; for suspension, REI recommends hanging the boat hull-up, facing the ceiling, and says you can use a kayak-specific system or wide webbing straps.¹ In either setup, use padded cradles or straps that follow the hull’s curve and spread support along its length. Keep the straps loose enough to avoid the long-term pressure REI warns can deform the kayak.¹

Store an inflatable according to its maker

Inflatable-kayak instructions vary by maker, so do not turn one option into a rule for every boat. Advanced Elements recommends storing its kayak deflated in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight when it will be stored for an extended period. Its FAQ also says to rinse with fresh water and air-dry the kayak before packing it away for extended periods.⁷

NRS describes a different option for its inflatable boats: if space allows, it says storing the boat loosely inflated and out of the sun is ideal. Its folding guide says to open the valves to deflate an inflatable kayak, fold one end over about a foot, and continue folding it into a loose bundle. In its care instructions, NRS says to let the boat dry before deflating if possible, pack it with natural air remaining in the tubes, and avoid using a vacuum to remove the remaining air unless packing procedures absolutely require it. NRS also says to store the boat spread out with some air in the tubes in a cool place, or loosely rolled under the same conditions if spreading it out is not possible.⁸⁹

Sea Eagle’s FAQ recommends its inflatable be folded in its bag in a clean, dry space, out of reach of mice and other rodents. If outdoor or shed storage is necessary, Sea Eagle suggests a large plastic bin or clean garbage can with a tight lid to keep rodents out. It also says to make sure the boat is clean and completely dry to prevent mold.⁴

Use those options with their stated scope. Advanced Elements’ extended-storage FAQ says “deflated”; NRS describes a loosely inflated option when space allows as well as its folding instructions; Sea Eagle describes its preferred folded storage and a rodent-protected outdoor option. Check your own manual for the right inflation state and packing method.

A short storage check

Before leaving the kayak, check that its hull rests on supports that fit the boat, rather than on bare ground or tight straps. Keep the kayak out of direct sun and arrange any cover so water cannot collect or press on the hull. Rinse and dry it before storage, using the cleaning and drying instructions that apply to your boat. For an inflatable, follow the model’s directions for deflation, folding, and the amount of air to leave in its tubes.

The American Canoe Association’s 2011 Paddler’s Safety Checklist includes the reminder “Wear Your Lifejacket.”¹⁰

Sources

Recreational Equipment, Inc., “Kayak Storage” (undated). ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰
Old Town (Johnson Outdoors), “How to Properly Store a Sit On Top Kayak” (November 30, 2021). ↩ ↩² ↩³
Eddyline Kayaks, Carbonlite Owner’s Manual (undated), “Storage,” printed page 4. ↩ ↩² ↩³
Sea Eagle Boats, Inc., “Frequently Asked Questions” (undated). ↩ ↩²
Old Town (Johnson Outdoors), Owner’s Manual (undated), “Storing,” printed page 4. ↩
Delta Kayaks Ltd., “Winter Storage” (January 10, 2019). ↩
Pelican International Inc. (Advanced Elements), “Advanced Elements FAQ” (undated). ↩
NRS (Northwest River Supplies), “How to Fold an Inflatable Boat for Storage” (last updated April 30, 2013). ↩
NRS (Northwest River Supplies), “Inflatable Boat Use and Care Instructions” (June 7, 2011). ↩
American Canoe Association, Paddler’s Safety Checklist (2011), page 1. ↩