Kayak Garage Storage How-To

So after an incredibly slow day fishing in Delta Meadows, I decided that it was time to make a write up our kayak storage setup.  When faced with the prospect of finding a spot to keep not one but two full-size SOT 'yaks along with all the accoutrements in a cluttered garage, we obviously had a quandry.  We knew that we needed to keep them out of the: sun, dirt, heat, rain, etc. and also knew we hardly had any room to keep them...





My dad tried to think of some way we could solve this problem...


After several minutes of hard thought, it was clear he needed some more "inspiration"...


Finally, Eureka...he figured out how to do it...


The plan called for 4 Wal-Mart (or Kragens) 6ft Nylon tie straps (roughly $12 per 2-pack), 4 stainless steel eye bolts, drill, measuring tape, and refreshments...


First measure out a space roughly 20" wide to place the eyebolts- preferably in studs...


Mark these spots, then drill the appropriate sized holes...(unlike my Dad, please wear safety goggles and use two hands)


Use a screwdriver or similar leverage tool to sink the eyebolts into the ceiling...


Connect the nylon straps accross on the eye bolts...


Repeat for the other side of ceiling if necessary for additional kayak (as in our case)...




Once straps are placed/mounted, guide kayak in until placed most appropriately...






Then lift/cinch the straps until tightened completely against ceiling...






Then tuck extra strap under and test garage door to make sure there is clearance...






And there you have it!  A cheap, easy, secure way to store kayaks in a garage with little space.  To lower them down, simply press the release.  The weight of the kayak will lower it on its own.  If it feels like its going to slip through, take your hand off the release and it will stop letting slack.  Good luck everyone!

You and your dad did a very nice job.  Thanks for posting the cool step-by-step pics. 

How much clearance above the garage door do you end up with?

That setup would be awesome...if I had a garage.   

That’s funny  we must drink the same beer because that’s the same system I use. And believe it or not I can get my wife’s car in the garage to, nice job guys.

Pat R 

There is probably about an inch or less clearance where the door moves back from the closed position, and an inch to two when in the full open position

I think the word "Garage" should be change to  "SGS"  = "Sporting Goods Storage" 

I'm not a home owner...yet. But I've been to many our NCKA bros houses and I see the SAME thing....."man-toys stashed from floor to ceiling"  It's almost like walking into Big-Five Sporting Goods...but stinkier 

I'm jealous

excellent idea. I'm going to do this under my porch. I already have the obligatory "boathouse" sign.
And Mooch, I believe the correct term is "man cave"

I believe the correct term is "man cave"

Negative....."man cave" is for the guys (like myself) that don't have a garage...therefore, the kitchen and the living room become the "said" garage   

That’s funny  we must drink the same beer because that’s the same system I use. And believe it or not I can get my wife’s car in the garage to, nice job guys.

Pat R 

I stored my kayak that way in my previous house. I used long enough straps that they would rest on the floor to load up the boat. Then they zipped up to the ceiling like yours. I was tempted to lower the boat right onto my car roof, but I moved back here before trying it. My current garage isn't tall enough for that. Now, time for some liquid inspiration ...

Hmm...this was my first idea, but i don't think I'll have clearance above the garage door. I'm gonna go check right now.

How does this compare to this guy's setup.  The adventure appears to be suspended along the eyelets among three ratcheting ropes. 

It's listed on ebay as Item No. 140156723896

How does this compare to this guy's setup.  The adventure appears to be suspended along the eyelets among three ratcheting ropes. 

It's listed on ebay as Item No. 140156723896

It looks clean, but doubt that any kayak manufacturer would recommend hanging a kayak by it's eyelets.  The straps support the weight better.

Nice system!!

How does this compare to this guy's setup.  The adventure appears to be suspended along the eyelets among three ratcheting ropes. 

It's listed on ebay as Item No. 140156723896

It looks clean, but doubt that any kayak manufacturer would recommend hanging a kayak by it's eyelets.  The straps support the weight better.

Gotta agree w/ ChuckE on that. Although the eyelet would probably break first and if it fell it could get ugly.

One good thing to point out about yaks post though is that the kayak isn't above the garage door, it's hanging underneath it. For those people who don't have a really tall garage like mine you can let it hang under as long as it's to one side that you don't always use. My neighbor set up a system like that for his canoe and it's nice. I'll be doing that for my garage this weekend.

Z

I just used this setup to hang my two kayaks. I used the 12' straps so I wouldn't have to lift the kayaks very high. Both my kayaks are heavy and long so the longer straps help.