We have info on what kayak is best for whomever, and how to transport a kayak. Why not also have a thread on what is the best way to store a kayak. There are multiple ways to store them I.E. on end, on the side, upside down, right side up, on saw horses, in slings etc. Seems like each manufacturer has there own info on this.

For me, I'm gonna build a rig on wheels that will have my kayak resting on its side due to space constraints in my garage, and the ease of maneuverability.

So how do you store yours?

It's not a kayak, but I have stored my canoe for the last six years on it's side, on a wheeled dolly. Roll it against the garage wall and I can still fit a car in that garage bay.

if the yak is a SOT it should be stored upside down so it rests on the flat areas and not on the rounded bottoms. The other safe way is a sling of some sort, either on its side on the wall, from the ceiling or some form of a stand where it is positioned upright on its bottom with straps underneath. It should not be stored on the ground or a stand on its bottom or the bottom will most likely distort. If it does get the distortion on the bottom from improper support most times the dents or oil canning will come out if left out in the sun upside down for a while. In the pic above a yak will probly get a flat spot since they are not reinforced with the metal ribs like the canoe.

if the yak is a SOT it should be stored upside down so it rests on the flat areas and not on the rounded bottoms. The other safe way is a sling of some sort, either on its side on the wall, from the ceiling or some form of a stand where it is positioned upright on its bottom with straps underneath. It should not be stored on the ground or a stand on its bottom or the bottom will most likely distort. If it does get the distortion on the bottom from improper support most times the dents or oil canning will come out if left out in the sun upside down for a while. In the pic above a yak will probly get a flat spot since they are not reinforced with the metal ribs like the canoe.

 

What I've read, you can store it on it's side as long as it's resting on the gunwale which is the strongest part of the SOT.

I store mine sitting on the PVC scupper cart I built in my garage.

I store mine sitting on the PVC scupper cart I built in my garage.

I have to build one of those also. Even though I have the wheel in the keel it doesn't wheel in the keel over everything.

mine lays flat on the garage floor.  i was hoisting it up above my garage door, but the ride 135 is a little long and heavy to do that.  now i just hoist the wife's 10' up and leave mine laying on my garage floor.  storing it like that will not damage the hull. 

i've always been afraid of storing it outside because of a) theft and temperature fluctuations that may actually lead to oil canning.

i've been contemplating making a pvc cart for it and may end up storing it with that somehow... but that's a couple projects down the road!

It's also smart to leave your hatches open, in case it does get hot, you won't have any pressure build up from expansion.

Built this yesterday. It isn't done yet, still need to add that 2x4 to the top four extra support, but it works, and gave me extra room to move around in my garage.