Best Kayak Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Owning a kayak actually takes more than what you think. Choosing the right kayak is as important as maintaining it properly. 

This article will help you understand how to clean a kayak, protect it from the sun, and how it can be stored properly and safely. Follow the below instructions to give your kayak a long life. 

Come, let’s learn how to maintain a kayak.

How to Maintain your Kayak in 2023?

Yes, you will be investing a great amount of money in the best kayak and you should make sure that it stays in perfect condition. There are no engines, but there are paddles, tow lines, skegs, and rudders that can all be ruined if there is no proper maintenance. No matter the type of kayak you own, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to maintain your kayak. Follow the below tips to keep your kayak in great shape. 

1. Keep the kayak clean

It doesn’t mean that your kayaks are clean since they spend most of their time immersed in water. No matter where you paddle, there will always be dirt and waste stuck to your kayak. That is why it is important to keep them clean before and after every use.  

Before paddling

If you have kept your kayak in your loft storage, cobweb, dust, and dirt can easily get into your kayak, which may result in an uncomfortable ride. Before you set your kayak off, wash it off with water covering every nook and corner because that is where spiders and other insects build their nest. Click here to learn more about how to store your kayak properly. 

After paddling

Though you will not pick any dust or cobweb in the water, it doesn’t mean you will be returning home with a clean kayak. Even after you get home, you have to wash your kayak thoroughly with water. You can use a mild soap if you want. That’s up to you. 

Cleaning after paddling will ensure your kayak is free of mud, sand, or any other unwanted dirt your kayak may have picked up when paddling. Proper cleaning and maintenance can give a long life to your kayak.

2. How can a kayak be cleaned?

Follow the below steps to clean your kayak properly.

Wash with fresh water

You should not just wash your kayak with the same water you just paddled in. Whenever you are cleaning your kayak, you should always use fresh water. The river water contains a lot of dirt and bacteria and to ensure the longevity of your boat, you need to rinse it with clean water after every use. 

You might wonder why is it so important to clean your kayak. We’ll tell you why. The level of dirtiness in the water you paddle is a lot and there are even chances of bacteria settling in your kayak. If it is left clean as the day pass, it might slowly start eating the hull up. That’s why it is mandatory that you clean your kayak after every use. 

Another thing that regular cleaning helps is that it spots anything that’s irregular on the hull and you can prevent any mishappenings. 

Clean the accessories

The accessories also have to be cleaned from time to time. Accessories like paddles are used more often by being in the water for a long time equal to the kayak, so they should also be cleaned along with the kayak for prolonged life.

You can clean the accessories that are not used in the water, before, during, and after the kayaking season. Whenever you drop your accessories into the water, you should also clean them along with the kayak.

Clean your kayak before the season begins

Cleaning the kayak before the beginning of the season ensures that all the dust and dirt will be gone and won’t cause any damage to your kayak when it goes into the water.

The inside of your kayak also has to be cleaned without fail because, when your kayak is in storage all the insects and dirt would have found a way to settle inside the kayak. 

As we have mentioned before, you can wash your kayak with fresh water and mild soap. Another method is if your kayak is made of either polyethylene or fiberglass, you can use car wax to rub on your kayak to protect it against UV rays. Also, there are higher-end models like UV-resistant spray on the market which you can use. 

Clean your kayak after the end of the season

Once the kayaking season is over, you can follow the same method of rinsing your kayak with soap and water. Before locking the kayak in the storage area, you must cover your kayak with a tarpaulin sheet. Another idea would be to store your kayak in a neat and dry place.

Make sure there are no damages caused before storing it because you don’t want to find that your kayak has problems before the beginning of the season.  

3. Protect the kayak from the sun

Kayaks are vulnerable to sun damage. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t bring your kayak out in the sun. There are safety precautions that you can take before you start.

You can spray your kayak with UV protectants like 303 Aerospace Protectant Spray which is literally a sunscreen for plastic, rubber, and fiberglass. You can do this by spraying it on the hatch cover and rubbing it with a paper towel. Then you will get a shiny look that not only protects the hatch cover but also repels water.

If your boat has bungee cords or deck lines, you need to look after them as well. Prolonged exposure to the sun can weaken elasticity. The only way to deal with this is to replace the product once it has lost its elasticity.

4. Store your Kayak Properly

Your kayak should always be stored in a neat, clean, and dry place. It is advisable to store your kayak in a horizontal position as it will prevent dust from collecting in your cockpit. You can also use something soft like a rubber mat big enough to cover every inch of the kayak down. 

If you are keeping it outside, place it in a dark place, because prolonged exposure to the sun can ruin your kayak. 

Try to keep it off the ground if possible. You can also secure it by locking it to an immovable object to avoid theft. Let your kayak dry after every wash, because when the water settles, it can damage your kayak.

Conclusion

When you keep your kayak clean, and safe from the sun and store and transport it properly, you are increasing the lifespan of your kayak. All these tips will be perfectly applicable to you irrespective of your kayak weight limits. 

If you find this article to be helpful, share it with your friends who might be interested so they can also follow the tips. Drop us your questions or queries in the comments section, and we will get back to you soon!

Enjoy Kayaking!