Whether you are fresh out of your first canoeing experience or are an old hand, then I am sure you already know that canoeing is an excellent hobby that helps you stay in shape and also lets you explore the great outdoors while you rid yourself of everyday life's stress.
But knowing how to canoe is one thing - knowing how best to store the canoe is entirely another. To ensure your continued enjoyment of canoeing, you must store your canoe properly. How you handle the storage of your canoe will determine its functional lifespan. When thinking of storage, the major natural elements that can cause damage and that you must bear in mind are the water, the sun and extreme weather.
Salt water is an abrasive that can cause damage to the hull of the canoe by corroding the metal parts. Before storing your canoe, you should rinse it out completely with fresh water to wash out any remnants of salty water. Ensure that you also get rid of the sand particles from the planks and canvas using a soft cloth and a mild detergent; acetone can be applied to deal with tough stains.
After this, place the canoe in an upright position to drain out all the water. Once it's dry check for chips or dents on the hull surface, inspecting the gunnels and deck plates as well. Repair any damage immediately, to prevent a small problem becoming a bigger one later.
Never store your canoe out in the elements, even if it's just for drying purposes. Most canoes are made from material that deteriorates under excessive exposure to sunlight, rain, wind and snow.
For more organization ideas, see our
Garage Storage page.
