Is it okay to store kayaks outside?

[stick]

Wife and I moved into a new house. We had an unfinished basement in our old house (rental) and we stored our kayaks down there. However, the new house (purchase) has a finished basement and my wife doesn't like the looks of the kayaks in the family room. So, I was thinking about storing them outside, under our wooden deck. They would be stored on a wooden rack to keep the up off the ground. I would store them upside down on padded supports. They would be out of the UV of the sun, for the most part. Are there any problems with storing kayaks outside? What about in the winter time with freezing temps, snow and ice?

 

[cjmitchell5]

I hate the idea of storing my boats outside but everything I've read says it's okay w/ proper precautions.

http://www.suspenzkayakstorage.com/storage-tips

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Instruction/Storage.html

I personally don't see a problem w/ them hanging in the family room. Just store your bicycles and motorcycle in there too during the winter. She'll be thrilled w/ the idea of just couple boats after that.

 

[Christophe Noel]

Glass and Kevlar boats do just fine outside if not exposed to UV and stored on slings or some other shaped rack. Get cockpit covers for sure. Plastic boats are much the same but really do need to rest on something that won't mis-shape the boat over time. I only have on plastic boat and it is hung on multiple slings for that reason. Don't worry about temps. My $4700 custom Kevlar Seaward Chilco spent many Alaskan winters outside. Pained me to do it, but it survived just fine.

 

[T.Low]

All sound advice. The only thing I might add is that if you have the chance, support them on the bulkheads. You said you will use would racks to keep them off the ground; try to place the wood supports under the bulkheads, otherwise the hull may deform in the heat.