Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Storage

I have a pulley and strap kayak storage system in my garage.  I attached
fixed pulleys to the roof trusses and moveable pulleys with a loop to
attach to the grab handles at either of the kayak.  This arrangement gives
a 2:1 mechanical advantage for the lift. When the kayak has been lifted
into position I hold it up with 1 in webbing straps with nylon buckles.  I
used 4 sixty inch straps and arranged them, 2 straps per end, they are
wrapped around the roof trusses with the buckle approximately in the middle
of the kayak. I adjust the tension on the straps so the weight is on the
straps not on the grab handles.  The straps are approximately 4 feet in
from the ends of the kayak.  The kayak is stored right side up.  I have
used this system for 3 years with a poly boat and had no problems with
deformation of the boat. If I could modify the system I would store the
kayak over a vehicle so it could be dropped into the roof rack without
lifting, unfortunately that does not work with a pickup and topper.

The material costs were no where near the cost of a garage door opener.

My materials list:
50 ft of 5/16 nylon rope, 4 pulleys, 2 eyehooks, 2 cleats for the free end
of the rope, 4 1x60 in. gear straps, some scrap 2x4s for placing pulleys
between trusses, and 8 deck screws.

Dana Dickson

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 07 Jun 1998 15:24:29 -0400
From: "D.R. Ferron" <drferron_at_bellatlantic.net>
Subject: [Paddlewise] Kayak Storage

I'm in the process of building a house.  I'd like to try to trade the
standard automatic garage door opener that the builder includes for some
kind of  kayak storage system.

Is there a system that will allow me to store my kayak from the garage
ceiling but get it up there with a series of pulleys? I suppose I could
rig something up myself if there isn't a commercial system.

<snip>


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