Taking Care of Your Canoe or Kayak

Maybe your canoe or kayak has been sitting around for the winter, and now it is time to get it ready for a new season.  First, wash the boat with soap and water.  Next, if your boat is polyethylene or composite (fiberglass or Carbon/Kevlar) treat it with an ultraviolet light inhibitor, like 303 Protectant.  This will protect your boat from color fading and UV damage.  UV damage makes your boat brittle and less strong over time.  If your boat is stored outside in direct sunlight you will want to re-treat it about once a month, or so.  If it is stored out of direct sunlight, treat it about every two months. 

If your boat is a composite model, in lieu of 303 Protectant, you can also prepare your boat with by waxing it, just as you would a car.  Treating your rubber Hatch Covers with a UV Inhibitor will greatly extend their life.  Likewise, it will keep your PFD looking like new by minimizing fading.

After each paddle it is a good idea to rinse off all of your paddling gear with fresh water.  PFD’s and any zippers should be rinsed off.  Your paddle should be taken apart and the ferules should be rinsed with fresh water after each paddling trip.

It is best to store your kayak out of direct sunlight.  A garage or under a deck are ideal places, but the north side house or garage work well to.  Many people support their boats in cradles or slings that hold the boat on its edge.  This position is strong, so the boat is happy!  Also, position the cradles or straps so that they are under the boats bulkheads (partitions that separate different sections of a kayak) if your boat has them.  Or at about 1/3 and 2/3’s of the boats length.

Canoes are usually supported upside down with their gunwales on lumber.  If your canoe has wooden decks or gunwales, make sure that water will not collect on the wooden trim and rot it.

If you can spend a minute or two rinsing off your gear and treating it with a UV Inhibitor, from time to time, it will last you for MANY years.