Kickin’ it Off: Kayak & Canoe Storage for Spring 2017

I live in one of those earthly locations the travel mags like to call “a 4 season destination”.  Which is all well and good up until about, well, now.  I’ve gotten my fix of snowboarding (great year!) and am now wishing for a heavy dose of sun rays.

Problem is, the snow is layered up deep and melting slowly.  If you’re like me, your backyard may still resemble the above pic.  But, hey, long as I’ve been alive spring has never failed to come, so here’s to waiting.

Of course, in the meantime, there’s all kinds of business to be had in prepping for the nearby day when the old canoe will first hit the water.  Flies to tie, rods to string, paddles to varnish, cobwebs to clear.  Cause before you know it we’ll be here…

…Or maybe here, depending on lifestyle choices… 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t add to the to-do list a few simple installs that will make reaching the water all the easier.  We are StoreYourBoard.com after all, and despite the somewhat misleading moniker for this category, we do excel in the storage of both canoes and kayaks.  Or so I’m told.  

Since few pieces of outdoor equipment are less wieldy and more space-sucking than watercraft, I figured I’d pass along some of my acquired knowledge in handling these beasts with 3 products that I highly recommend.  After all, less time straining, lifting and dragging equals more water time.   

First up, we’ve got our car mount kayak roof roller.  Check the listing for full details, but the nitty-gritty on this gadget is “single person, back saving, roof-rack lift assist”.  From experience, I know that 1) sometimes I’m on the river alone or 2) sometimes my paddling partner isn’t “ideally equipped” for heavy lifting.  This roller bypasses those challenges by making canoe or kayak lifting simple for one person.  At $49.99 it’s got excellent bang-for-the-buckery. 

Speaking of those hanging in the singles lane, next on the order of things, we’ve got our garage canoe hoist that’s perfect for a solo man, woman or appropriately sized child.  For canoes or kayaks, this is hands-down one of the best accessory purchases a paddler can make.  The gist of it goes something like “store your canoe high, dry and up in the sky (ceiling)”.  With 200 lb. capacity, you can even throw a bit of gear in there.  

Works even better in non-exceptionally clean garages.

Lastly, we’re coming up bigly with a super robust kayak cart (or kayak dolly).  Lugging a kayak on your back for even a hundred yards can be seriously exhausting.  Especially if you’re in the sand.  For those of you with intermediary steps to the water we've come through with our top rated kayak dolly.  With airless tires (no flat worries!) and a whopping 150 lb. capacity, this kayak cart is designed to haul your boat, fishing gear, anchor, paddle and even a rock collection (if you're so inclined).  We can’t recommend it highly enough.  

Hopefully soon we’ll all be on a quiet waterway with winter snows and installed boat racks only a fond memory.



Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com