Acquiring a kayak can represent a significant investment. Proper kayak maintenance plays a large role in its durability and increases its lifespan. The few extra minutes spent rinsing your craft or storing it could represent substantial savings in the long run.
Although your boat spends its active time in the water, it doesn’t mean it’s clean. Salt from the ocean and bacteria from lakes will stick to the outer layers, damaging the material over time. Proper care may take some time at first, but it should soon become a habit you can do with your eyes closed.
Read further and learn how to take care of your kayak before the season starts. We’ll also describe essential maintenance tips after each journey.
Before and After the Season
Before your first outing of the year, and after the last one, here are a few steps to take.
Inspect the Hull
During transportation and when paddling in shallow waters, the hull carries the biggest risk. Although this should be done throughout the summer, looking for initial chips and cracks is critical.
Inspection should be done before putting your craft in long-term storage. If you notice any damage, it’s best to proceed with the repairs right away. To avoid bad surprises while in the water, check the hull again before your first trip of the season.
Examine the Equipment
Once you’ve cleared the hull, have a look at the pedal system, rudder, hatch, and any other equipment. If the bungee cords have lost their elasticity, they’ll need to be replaced before your next trip.
Check the Accessories
If you have a fish finder, GPS, radio, or other electronic tools, make sure they’re all in working condition. This is even more applicable to devices you haven’t used during the kayaking season. If any of them are not functioning correctly, it’s best to fix them before they’re required.
Have a look at your kayak seat. If it shows any wear and tear, it should be fixed or changed before spring comes. The same goes for your personal floatation device or other security gear. Check and refill your first aid kit if needed.
Thorough Rinse
Around spring and fall, rinse your kayak inside and out. Use water with mild soap and avoid harsh chemicals or solvents, which could deteriorate the material.
Before its first use, washing your craft will remove dust and debris. You’ll also get rid of potential spiders and small insects. These generally tend to form nests inside the cockpit during the off-season.
Before storing it for winter, rinsing your boat thoroughly with a hose should take salt and bacteria away. The last thing you want is to find your kayak covered with mold when you next need it.
Spray to Protect
Using a protective spray should be part of your maintenance routine, even if you’re leaving it indoors. The spray doesn’t only repel ultraviolet rays, it also creates a protective layer against any external elements.
Spraying your craft is even more crucial if you own an inflatable boat or have one that includes rubber hatches. Spray generously and rub with a microfiber cloth. Some paddlers use car wax to protect expensive fiberglass kayaks.
Maintenance After a Kayak Trip
Although maintenance is minimal during the season, a regular upkeep routine is vital to keep your craft in good health.
Rinse and Dry
Once you’ve reached the shore, wash off your kayak and its equipment. This is sometimes possible when there is a source of fresh water nearby. If clean water isn’t available, rinse it when you get home.
In all cases, use a strong hose and clean your craft on both sides. Remove any seaweed, mud, and sand. Hose over all pieces of equipment, the rudder, footpegs, pedals, crate, and cooler, while paying additional attention to metal parts.
Rinse your life jacket and seat as well. If you have a two-piece paddle, rinse each portion separately. If rust and corrosion form, you may not be able to make your paddle one piece again.
Before storing your kayak or any of its equipment, ensure that everything is fully dry. Moisture is a prerequisite for mold formation.
Remove Accessories
Before storing your kayak for the winter, remove all accessories, including your personal floatation device and seat. When it comes to fabric, the primary risk is the growth of mildew and mold.
To prevent this from happening, let them dry fully under the direct sunlight before putting them in storage. Then place them in a cool, dry, and dark closet until their next use.
Proper Care During Transportation
Typically, most of the damage that occurs to kayaks happens during transportation. Here are a few rules to keep it in pristine condition.
Use a Cart
Don’t overestimate your lifting capacities. Without appropriate planning, many kayakers end up dragging their boats on the sand or concrete. This technique scratches and chips the hull.
Carts are compact tools designed to carry and move kayaks. Place the wheels under one end, and lift the opposite side. Simply pull it until you reach the shore. Some models are foldable or can be disassembled to fit inside your boat while you’re paddling.
Depending on the kayak type and weight, you’ll have several choices. To find out more about the best carts for kayaks, read our article here.
Roof Racks and Padding
Ensuring that your vehicle is correctly set-up is critical. Whether you’re planning on placing your boat directly onto the factory racks, or on top of added crossbars, padding is essential.
They don’t only provide extra cushioning, they also prevent scratches and hull distortion. J-cradles and saddles might be the safest types of roof racks as they offer both stability and quality padding.
To avoid hull deformation, avoid keeping your kayak tightly strapped for more than a day. If you need to keep it there for a few days, it’s best to loosen up the straps.
To learn more about how to transport a kayak, read our dedicated article here.
Proper Storage
The way you store your kayak impacts its longevity. Most paddlers will leave their boat indoors, in a basement or inside a garage. While indoor storage is ideal, it isn’t always feasible.
Inside or outside, your kayak can be safely stored, whether for a night or the season. Here are the best techniques.
Inflatable Kayaks
Expandable models should fit most closets. They can be stored both deflated and folded, or inflated. If you’re tight on space, remove the air and fold it into its storage bag. We recommend folding it loose, even if this means leaving it outside the bag.
If you decide to keep it inflated, we suggest deflating it slightly, just enough to remove the pressure from the seams.
Stay Away From the Sun
Ultraviolet rays can cause great damage to your kayak. They attack the plastic material, creating cracks over time. Your bright boat might become dull sooner than expected, even fiberglass models.
If you’re storing it outside, use the natural shade from trees or a roof. Tarps are tiny tents that can help create a protective layer against the sun and other weather elements.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
While the sun can be damaging, extreme temperature changes can cause the hull to expand and deform. In winter, leave your kayak away from any heat source, such as a heater.
Storage Tools
Investing in storage equipment won’t only save you indoor space. It also keeps your kayak’s weight evenly distributed to avoid shape deformation. Between ground racks, stands, hanging tools, hooks, and wall racks, the number of choices is limitless.
For optimum storage, lift your kayak up to the ceiling using a pulley system.
Storage Without Equipment
If you’re not looking to purchase additional equipment to store your kayak, alternatives are available. As long as you don’t leave your boat either vertically on its nose, or laying on its hull, its shape should stay intact.
We recommend laying it flat horizontally and tilted on its edge. Make sure to use a towel or rack for padding. The cockpit or deck should be facing the wall.
Kayak Cover
If you’re storing your kayak outside, we recommend using a special protective cover. This will create a shield against UV rays, heat, sun, rain, and small animals that may want to settle down inside the cockpit. If budget is a concern, you can choose a cover for the cockpit only.
To find out more about kayak storage, our article here might come in handy.
Long Live Your Kayak
The durability of your kayak will first depend on its quality. Generally speaking, fiberglass boats will last longer than plastic or inflatable ones. Yet with proper maintenance, most kayaks can last for years.
Although they don’t require substantial upkeep, a few rules will improve their lifespan.
Caring for your kayak during the off-season is equally as important as conserving it during the summertime. Fixing a hull, replacing a seat, or purchasing new bungee cords can add up and represent a significant expense if you don’t take enough care.