Storing Inflatable Kayaks or Boats

Most of you who already own or are thinking of buying an inflatable kayak or other type of inflatable boat probably do it because it's so easy and convenient to store and to travel with. But taking care of your inflatable is more than just rolling it up after you use it. Here’s some important bits of information regarding storage.

If you roll up the boat as soon as the trip is over and don't do anything else to it until your next trip, you’re asking for trouble. If that next trip is several months away, the moisture that’s trapped inside can cause mold, mildew, and aggravation. The best way to counter that aggravation is to make sure your boat gets completely dried after each trip. Especially if you store your boat ‘long term’ outdoors in a shed where thawing and freezing can cause cracks to develop where the moisture has gathered. Moisture accumulates on the inside of your inflatable kayak tubes. It can get in through an open valve or through condensation on the inside of the tubes. This “inside tube” moisture is mainly a problem when you’re storing your boat deflated and rolled up for a long period of time. If there’s lots of moisture, use a wet-dry vacuum to suck it out. If there’s only a little moisture, leave your boat partially inflated for a few days in a low humidity area for a few days to dry out. Leave the valve caps off. Then roll it up and store it.

Storing your boat for a couple days to 3 weeks is less of a ‘project’. You can leave the boat about one-half inflated in your basement, garage or shed. Keep it away from direct sunlight and anywhere that water can get inside of it. This is a much easier method of storage and if you have the space to store the boat this way ‘long term’, it’s a sure way to keep it dry till your next use.