If you store a poly canoe outside, how do you do it? In the shade? On sawhorses? On a trailer?

 

I'm considering a square stern poly canoe, but I want to be able to store it outside on a trailer. Will that be possible? 

 

Thanks.

 

 

If you store it outside, on a trailer, it will collect leaves, rain, bird droppings, etc.  In other words, unless you cover it, you'll have a mess on your hands.

 

It will also be bombarded with uv rays from the sun, which, over time, will do a tune on the plastic.

 

So, if possible, keep it in the shade, upside down, on saw horses.  Where you place the saw horses is important, since a plastic hull will tend to distort unless properly supported.  A rule of thumb is to place the saw horses about one quarter of the length of the boat from each end.

 

By keeping it upside down, you eliminate debris from collecting inside the hull.  But, it won't take long for wasps and other stinging critters long to discover the ideal environment, protected from rain, wind, etc., for building their nests in the overturned hull.

 

As you can see, there are pros and cons for all methods of storing a boat.  Pick which is the most convenient for you.

Thanks Rhino. If I keep it on a trailer, how is it best covered? I read that a tarp cannot touch the hull because it will cause mold. What type of cover would be best, and how are you guys covering your poly canoe(to keep cover from touching boat?

One of mine is stored upside down on saw horses.  The other is suspended upside down from the roof trusses in my garage.  It's high enough to allow my pickup to be parked beneath it.

 

I'm not sure about it causing mold where it touches the boat.  A cover must be ventilated, or it will trap moisture which promotes the growth of mold in the enclosed area.