Winter Storage Plastic Sea Kayak

Traditionally it was felt that plastic kayaks should have the biggest weight impact in storage kinda on their sides. They are usually stronger there than on the deck or the hull. But I could name exceptions. Just make sure that whatever they are on is soft, not hard for example if straps pad the traps. That kind of thing.
Hatch covers will be safest inside. Sometime over the winter treat them with 303.

@l2t said:
Don’t like the idea of leaving the hatch covers off. I live next to the woods and critters (mice, chipmucks, squirals, coons, mustkat, beaver, etc.) are everywhere. Would thoroughly drying, then hanging outside upside down, hatches and cockpit cover on, support at four points on foam be okay?

No I understand but we have Valley covers and if left outside below zero they crack… Mice do manage anyway to gnaw through my Sterilite containers. Last year they shredded three PFD’s. It seems the more snug the space is the more they like it.

@zzffnn said:
@PaddleDog52,

Where did you get those support bracket frames? Your black plastic frame on right of the photo does not look like DIY. Thanks.

Home Depot saw horses two foam blocks. Notched blocks to fit over the horses. Tied to fence because it gets windy on the water.


SOTs above are upside-down in rack on 4" nylon webbing.

Added long feet on this because when I pull it out of water on the decking I put nose up and slide the 22’ Libra XT 100 lb. Feet are 6’ 2x6 so it doesn’t tip them over from sliding.

Low stand with 4" webbings

Needs beach ball to prevent pooling water over cockpit.

One on foam blocks on a bench strapped or tied tight so it doesn’t blow off.

Looking at the broad leaf plants in the last pic, I should emphasizes that I’m in New England where it gets well, below freezing. While It typically won’t be in the single digits except during cold snaps, a really cold morning could be -8F.



Plants on Long Island NY

Planting annuals then, or digging up tubers in fall. Hot plants for a cool climate.

I dig them all up wash and store in basement of my another house. All that canis and elephant ear bulbs. Fill my 8’ pickup truck bed with a crown. Hundreds of them. Lots and lots of work. Every year I say last year.

I didn’t dig mine up last fall and they rotted. I will this year.

Winter? What is that?

@string said:
I didn’t dig mine up last fall and they rotted. I will this year.

If I forget a few they come back next year but most just rot. They just keep multipling. Only bought 10 of each years ago.

@Peter-CA said:
Winter? What is that?

That’s when the snowbirds arrive. Oh, excuse me, “seasonals”.

:smiley:

Thermoform’s tough. I kept one Eddyline boat outdoors all winter, resting on a couple of well padded shelf brackets screwed into the side of my garage under the eave facing south. Hatch covers and cockpit cover on, deck facing the wall. Uncovered, but did put 303 on the hull late fall after it was washed and thoroughly dried. Kayak overwintered just fine and is now paddled by its new owner. That’s where my Samba will winter, but the other two will have more posh accommodations at a community pool which offers kayak storage.

@Rookie said:
…but did put 303 on the hull late fall after it was washed and thoroughly dried…

Does 303 go only on the hull?

Inside and out or just outside?

Any issue if it got on the hatch covers?

How much would be needed for a 17’ kayak and would a 16oz spray bottle do it?

@l2t said:

@Rookie said:
…but did put 303 on the hull late fall after it was washed and thoroughly dried…

Does 303 go only on the hull?

Inside and out or just outside?

Any issue if it got on the hatch covers?

How much would be needed for a 17’ kayak and would a 16oz spray bottle do it?

Hull is great, deck fine too. It’s a UV protectant but I wouldn’t put it in my cockpit because it makes the surface slippery. You definitely want to apply it to the inside and outside of your rubber hatch covers a few times a year as it will extend their life and keep them pliable.

You spray/wipe it on lightly, then buff it off. Instructions are on the bottle. You’ll have plenty left over in that 16 ounce bottle. I also use it on my neoprene gloves at the end of the season. Some plastics in my car, etc. Good stuff.