Correct storage can add many years to the life of a canoe.
The longer that your canoe is in storage, the more important it is to store it correctly.
Whether you store your canoe inside or out:
- Don't leave the canoe in the water!
- Don't store the canoe upside down
on the ground (too hard on the gunwales)
- Don't support your canoe from one end only
- Don't hang it from the handles, decks or thwarts
- Don't lay it down on its side
- Don't store the canoe near any major heat source (furnace or water heater).
INSIDE STORAGE:
The best way to protect against weather & sun damage is to store your canoe upside-down, (gunwales down) in a cool, dry, covered location. Inside a garage or shed is best.
If you are suspending the canoe from above, make sure that the canoe's weight is on the gunwales.
For a method of hanging the canoe in a garage or shed, see "Hanging Your Canoe" below.