Great idea and video. Only thing I would do different is run locking cable thru a scupper hole. When I lock my yaks on top of my car I run my lock cable thru the scupper holes.
Nice approach. Ours is stored on the trailer. In TN, we use the utility trailer. In FL, we use the Jon Boat trailer. Both are customized somewhat for the kayak and it's easy and quick to hook it up to the vehicle and head to the water 😎
Like all your tips in this series. You may want to consider placing carpet remnants on the 2x4's that contact the kayak and laying the 2x4 flat to give more bearing area. The only critters I'm concerned about in my area are the 2 legged ones with sticky fingers.
Have you thought about adding a ridge for the cover so that rain and snow (yes, we get some now and then) don’t puddle in the top and sink into the kayak. When I store my Jon boats in my backyard, I use devices I made out of PVC (line your favorite material) that provided enough slope on the tarp for the rain and most snow to slide right off. I have tried two ways to secure the tarp. One involved using hefty cord to run under the boat and either attach to the trailer of tie off under the trailer- cord from one side to the cord on the other side. The second method involved getting some fairly substantial weights unused for off-shore nets to carry them to the bottom. I would tie one or two to each cord from the tarp and lay them on the ground. If you are worried about critters, the first method where the cords are tied tightly to each other under the boat works best to keep critters out, though on the Jon boat is is hard to get a really tight seal around the engine and the square bow. So, i made sure all my built in storage boxes inside the boat were securely closed and took my chances without problems. A neighbor had his 24’ Grady cuddy invaded twice by a mama raccoon who gave birth to a litter on his boat while it sat on a boat lift. Nasty. Maybe I was lucky because I never had a problem with animals in my Jon boats in the back yard. Nor did I have issues with rain or snow.
Hey Steve! Just a thought about critters...I store mine in my garage over winter but squirrels have been known to get in a chew on my wife’s gardening stuff. A few years back a neighbour told me he used the old original Pine-Sol cleaner in a spray bottle to spray around any openings in his garage to deter squirrels. I tried it last year and it seems to work.
I guess I'm paranoid, but I don't keep my accessories in the kayak, which is outside, but in the garage, where I can lock 'em up. Not only so, but all that stuff would fall off when I'm loading it on the roof of my car. I made a kayaking checklist I use to help me not forget anything. After considering several scenarios, I settled on storing my kayak with its caddy lashed in place. When I'm ready to load it, I just roll it out, unlash the caddy, and put it on the cartop racks. I used a 10' x 20' tarp that I folded and suspended sloped (for rain runoff) over the kayak using bungies. I ran my anti-theft cable through a scupper hole and around a fence post. Not foolproof, but at least it's a deterrent.
Very good points. I added a slope to this later after seeing the water puddle. I'm ok with leaving the few rigs in the kayak - lol... I have gone out fishing without key items before and had to borrow from a buddy!
Better to run the cable though a scupper hole if you can; I lived in Miami as a kid. Everything can be stolen in a flash. But what I need to learn is how to stop the squirrels from chewing on my outside sotred plastic kayaks. They love that plastic and now I hate squirrels!
Sorry for the late reply... been gone for Christmas. I need to do a video on outriggers. Basically, unless the outrigger runs the length of the kayak and has enough buoyancy to push back on your weight, it is useless. The small ones people make with floats and pool noodles do not work and just get in the way of your line.
It looked like the kayak was sitting right on the 2x4 stand, I know where I live its hot enough to warp/dent the kayak bottom if is on pressure points. Maybe some pvc or wooden bunks would fix that. Horse stall mats work well for on ground/concrete protection and the black heavy duty tarps hold up well as covers too.
I like it. I do have a charger made for lithium batteries - it charges fast. It loses about 2% a month or so. I really like the bluetooth app that connects to the battery to see how much charge I have left. Just like on a drill, they will run full blast and then abruptly stop when the charge hits zero.
Hey Steve, Love you videos. Was wondering how the kayak cover you are using in this video is holding up? Some review suggest they do no last long in the sun. Thanks.
The best advice in the comments is to run the locking cable through a scupper hole! I will make that change! Thanks
Great idea and video.
Only thing I would do different is run locking cable thru a scupper hole. When I lock my yaks on top of my car I run my lock cable thru the scupper holes.
Was going to say the same thing 👍
Great point!
Superior ideas as usual. Thanks for the shout out.
I love this series of kayak hacks. So many great ideas. Thank you.👍🏻
My pleasure!
I LOVE these videos! Very relaxing & informative.
Nice approach. Ours is stored on the trailer. In TN, we use the utility trailer. In FL, we use the Jon Boat trailer. Both are customized somewhat for the kayak and it's easy and quick to hook it up to the vehicle and head to the water 😎
Like all your tips in this series. You may want to consider placing carpet remnants on the 2x4's that contact the kayak and laying the 2x4 flat to give more bearing area. The only critters I'm concerned about in my area are the 2 legged ones with sticky fingers.
Great point. I have some extra outdoor carpet.
Have you thought about adding a ridge for the cover so that rain and snow (yes, we get some now and then) don’t puddle in the top and sink into the kayak. When I store my Jon boats in my backyard, I use devices I made out of PVC (line your favorite material) that provided enough slope on the tarp for the rain and most snow to slide right off. I have tried two ways to secure the tarp. One involved using hefty cord to run under the boat and either attach to the trailer of tie off under the trailer- cord from one side to the cord on the other side. The second method involved getting some fairly substantial weights unused for off-shore nets to carry them to the bottom. I would tie one or two to each cord from the tarp and lay them on the ground. If you are worried about critters, the first method where the cords are tied tightly to each other under the boat works best to keep critters out, though on the Jon boat is is hard to get a really tight seal around the engine and the square bow. So, i made sure all my built in storage boxes inside the boat were securely closed and took my chances without problems. A neighbor had his 24’ Grady cuddy invaded twice by a mama raccoon who gave birth to a litter on his boat while it sat on a boat lift. Nasty. Maybe I was lucky because I never had a problem with animals in my Jon boats in the back yard. Nor did I have issues with rain or snow.
lol! Yes, I already did that after seeing the puddle on a recent rain! Thanks for the other tips! Very helpful
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
You bet!
Hey Steve! Just a thought about critters...I store mine in my garage over winter but squirrels have been known to get in a chew on my wife’s gardening stuff. A few years back a neighbour told me he used the old original Pine-Sol cleaner in a spray bottle to spray around any openings in his garage to deter squirrels. I tried it last year and it seems to work.
That's a great idea!
I guess I'm paranoid, but I don't keep my accessories in the kayak, which is outside, but in the garage, where I can lock 'em up. Not only so, but all that stuff would fall off when I'm loading it on the roof of my car. I made a kayaking checklist I use to help me not forget anything. After considering several scenarios, I settled on storing my kayak with its caddy lashed in place. When I'm ready to load it, I just roll it out, unlash the caddy, and put it on the cartop racks. I used a 10' x 20' tarp that I folded and suspended sloped (for rain runoff) over the kayak using bungies. I ran my anti-theft cable through a scupper hole and around a fence post. Not foolproof, but at least it's a deterrent.
Very good points. I added a slope to this later after seeing the water puddle. I'm ok with leaving the few rigs in the kayak - lol... I have gone out fishing without key items before and had to borrow from a buddy!
Better to run the cable though a scupper hole if you can; I lived in Miami as a kid. Everything can be stolen in a flash. But what I need to learn is how to stop the squirrels from chewing on my outside sotred plastic kayaks. They love that plastic and now I hate squirrels!
Great point! Thanks
Off topic: How about a discussion about outrigger/stabilizers.
Sorry for the late reply... been gone for Christmas. I need to do a video on outriggers. Basically, unless the outrigger runs the length of the kayak and has enough buoyancy to push back on your weight, it is useless. The small ones people make with floats and pool noodles do not work and just get in the way of your line.
It looked like the kayak was sitting right on the 2x4 stand, I know where I live its hot enough to warp/dent the kayak bottom if is on pressure points. Maybe some pvc or wooden bunks would fix that. Horse stall mats work well for on ground/concrete protection and the black heavy duty tarps hold up well as covers too.
You beat me to it. I used 3" PVC pipe to create that bunk as the plastic of the kayak will deform with heat.
Great idea! Thanks
I have a double decker pvc build id like to share? But where and how
You can post the link here and I can pin the comment to the top. You just have to upload it to your RUclips accont
Steve, what has is your opinion of the reBel batteries. I am looking to purchase 12v 100aH from Aric but wanted a second opinion. Thanks!
I like it. I do have a charger made for lithium batteries - it charges fast. It loses about 2% a month or so. I really like the bluetooth app that connects to the battery to see how much charge I have left. Just like on a drill, they will run full blast and then abruptly stop when the charge hits zero.
looks nice, BUT, obviously not in Florida... 🥴
Sadly...
👍👍
Close your eyes and listen. It's Hank Hill.
Hey Steve, Love you videos. Was wondering how the kayak cover you are using in this video is holding up? Some review suggest they do no last long in the sun. Thanks.
I had a small rip after the winter. I repaired it using these patches. It is hanging in there! amzn.to/3XH7eLU