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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Combo Rack/Hanging Canoe Storage?
 
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default
09/12/2019 04:20PM
 
Hello,
I've been doing some research recently before purchasing my first canoe (1978 Sawyer X-17 Kevlar), and this forum has been a great resource.
I will likely not be able to store the canoe indoors, so I'm devising a way to keep is stored on the south side of my garage (with added sun/weather protection). I've placed two hooks on the side of my garage, and had the idea to suspend the other side of the canoe from strap(s) tethered to the top of the garage. Check my crude mock-up to see what I'm talking about.

Should I use 1 or 2 straps? Or scrap the idea all together?

thanks
default


 
DeuceCoop
09/20/2019 02:31PM
 
Any chance of reorienting the boat? What about leaving the end nearest the door where it is and swinging the other end toward the opposite wall as much as possible? Seems like that would free up the head space above your work bench.
 
andym
09/13/2019 07:35PM
 
I'd rather not have something that can move and rub against my house and so I suggest looking at this thread and mounting something like this on the outside of your house. It shouldn't be much harder than adding the hooks. For outdoor use, I would favor the all wood designs over the even easier ones that involve using big shelf brackets. On the other hand, maybe I think that way because I live near the ocean and things rust more than somewhere inland.


I also think that it will be easier to take the canoe on and off the brackets (I do that all the time in our storage space) rather than deal with the straps.
 
default
09/12/2019 09:45PM
 
Thanks for the input, folks. I should also upload a pic of the garage, because it's not really an option. Between lighting, glassblowing setup, four bicycles, five motorcycles and all the that goes along with that, I've already taken advantage of every nook and cranny. It's a 1.5 car, and I can even fit a car inside in the winter if that gives you an idea...

Has anyone used Tyvek house wrap for storage? Thought that might be a more cost effective option than a purpose made cover.
 
PowerLizard
09/13/2019 04:19PM
 
default: "Thanks for the input, folks. I should also upload a pic of the garage, because it's not really an option. Between lighting, glassblowing setup, four bicycles, five motorcycles and all the that goes along with that, I've already taken advantage of every nook and cranny. It's a 1.5 car, and I can even fit a car inside in the winter if that gives you an idea...


Has anyone used Tyvek house wrap for storage? Thought that might be a more cost effective option than a purpose made cover."



Post some pics of your garage interior and everyone will tell how to rearrange stuff so you can hang the canoe in the garage. If you can walk into the garage, there is room for more stuff.
 
default
09/12/2019 05:30PM
 
The gunwales on one side would be supported by the hooks on wall, with the other side of the canoe being suspended by straps that are attached higher up on the wall. Ignore the wooden stand in this picture, and imagine the yellow lines are the straps.



 
wingnut
09/12/2019 08:29PM
 
Congratulations on your new boat. The pics of your boat show it to be in very good condition for a 1978 and I would do my best to find room on the ceiling in your garage to store it. I think in the end you'll be glad you did. I use a pulley system to pull mine to within 6" of the ceiling. If oriented to hang above the hoods of your vehicles you might be able to find the space you need.
 
x2jmorris
09/12/2019 05:24PM
 
I'm trying to get an idea of what you are talking about... you want the entire canoe on top of the hooks? Or you are hanging it from the hooks? Hanging it should be alright with a strap over the middle I would think.
 
default
09/20/2019 02:36PM
 
Good idea on inside storage. If the canoe wasn't longer than my garage is wide, I would try fitting between the trusses. It's also only ~3' shorter than my garage is long, so this is only indoor storage option...


I have left the straps up above the outdoor storage rack, and can wrap them around the boat to attach to the shelving brackets. Its not gonna blow off with those in place.
 
wingnut
09/19/2019 07:04AM
 
An often overlooked storage area is above the overhead door. The ends of your boat would be able to fit between your trusses. I'm guessing if you had 16" above the door you could make it work. Another place that might work for year round storage is just behind the door tracks with ends of the boat tucked between the trusses.
The wind is what I would worry about with outside storage. There was a member here who's boat was damaged beyond repair when the wind grabbed it and wrapped it around something.
 
justpaddlin
09/13/2019 10:26PM
 
On second thought you may have trouble getting a canoe to sit on those brackets since the widest part of the canoe in the middle may keep you from getting the canoe close enough to your wall to keep the vertical parts of those brackets from digging into the hull; it would be easy to check by just doing a test fit even without straps. I fully agree that the ideal is to use some variation of the shelf bracket concept but if you want to avoid putting those cantilevered loads into your garage that wood stand in your second pic looks like it would work great if the kayak wasn't there!
 
x2jmorris
09/18/2019 08:24PM
 
That second picture looks great.
 
justpaddlin
09/13/2019 12:19PM
 
I might be willing to store 1 or 2 of the motorcycles for you to help out a fellow paddler. ??
 
default
09/18/2019 07:08PM
 
The original "suspension" idea worked in practice, but there was no way to keep the canoe from compressing into the siding of the garage. Using the largest shelving brackets they have at Menards, I pivoted and made a "cantilevered" rack. Next thing to make is a Tyvek cover for UV/water protection.


After seeing all the concern about prolonged outdoor storage, I managed to find space inside the garage. It will not work during the summer months, as it interferes with my workbench area and makes the canoe a pain to access. I will be using indoor storage over the winter, or for longer stretches when I don't need easy access.


Thanks for the help everyone.





 
x2jmorris
09/12/2019 07:25PM
 
Ah well in that case I would do two straps. That looks good. The only thing I could see being an issue is if high wind started to rock it. But 1978? That has to be semi heavy yeah? I think I would call it good...possibly I would add a screw in removable pole over the middle so that it couldn't rock too much in wind. Like after you hang it you could screw in a rubber pole (like 2 feet length) that would make it not able to be lifted off the hooks.
 
justpaddlin
09/12/2019 07:29PM
 
I don't see any concerns since you're storing it properly with gunwales down and the weight supported on the gunwales. While 2 straps seems nicer and gives you a margin of safety since the canoe would not fall if one failed I think you'd also be fine with one strap...whichever makes it easier to get the canoe on and off. The hooks and strap anchors need to be solid since the boat isn't a featherweight.


Congrats on your X17. I recently paddled an X17 for the first time and it's a nice boat with good performance and handling.
 
RunningFox
09/12/2019 09:11PM
 
With all due respect, I agree with Wingnut that indoor storage would be preferred. My storage system is a 75 inch 2x4 nailed in the corner of the garage about 20” below the ceiling. Ends of 2x4 are cut at angle are secured flush to garage wall studs with nails — ends are about 45 inches from garage corner. Bow of canoe rests on 2x4. Steel Chain secured to garage ceiling (rafter) with S hook on free-end holds stern. To prevent bow from hitting garage corner, small wooden blocks are nailed atop the 2x4 on each side of the bow.




 
justpaddlin
09/22/2019 03:12PM
 
default: "The original "suspension" idea worked in practice, but there was no way to keep the canoe from compressing into the siding of the garage. Using the largest shelving brackets they have at Menards, I pivoted and made a "cantilevered" rack. Next thing to make is a Tyvek cover for UV/water protection.



After seeing all the concern about prolonged outdoor storage, I managed to find space inside the garage. It will not work during the summer months, as it interferes with my workbench area and makes the canoe a pain to access. I will be using indoor storage over the winter, or for longer stretches when I don't need easy access.



Thanks for the help everyone.





"



Nice work!