Mount a Kayak in my stairwell?

[aphex]

After researching a bit about Kayaks, then going out on the lake to demo a few models this weekend, my wife and I are pretty sure what models we like, 12-14 foot Sit-on-top Kayaks.

Anyway, since we live in a two story townhouse (sans garage), we are quite limited in locations to store the Kayaks. We have one 9ft long closet, that could store 1 Kayak at an angle, but the closet would be fairly inaccessible and we still have the problem of the second Kayak. The patio is also a possibility, but would really take up the whole thing and leave the patio useless.

So, as I'm sitting here brainstorming in my upstairs office, I start staring at the stairwell. Its about 20 feet long and completely open from the first story to the second. Think it would be feesible to put mounts along the stairwell and get both Kayaks lengthwise along the stairs? All the models we looked at were 30-50lbs with front and rear handles, so I imagine we could use a tall pole to get to the far end (at the bottom of the stairs). Am i crazy or could this work?

 

[CPA]

Yes, yes, you should definitely mount a yak. Oh, wait, wat?

 

[Homerboy]

pulley system to pull them up and down. Should work flawlessly.

Something like? http://www.drdcorp.com/handy-h...orage/canoe-hanger.htm

 

[leftyman]

Make sure you use protection while mounting.

 

[K1052]

http://www.folbot.com/

These instead?

 

[I Saw OJ]

On a side note, how much is it costing you guys to get into kayaking? Its always been something I think I would enjoy.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
On a side note, how much is it costing you guys to get into kayaking? Its always been something I think I would enjoy.

All depends. You can get used kayaks for pretty cheap. I'm more into fishing off a kayak so there's a lot more to get. Fishfinders, rods, rod holders etc. I think my kayak fishing setup cost about $2500. You need not spend that much at all. I think you can get used kayaks off CL for about 400 or even less.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
pulley system to pull them up and down. Should work flawlessly.

Something like? http://www.drdcorp.com/handy-h...orage/canoe-hanger.htm

or like this:

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/...oard-kayak-hanger.html

 

[zoiks]

OP, you might need to customize it a bit. Does your kayak have scupper holes? You could pass something through the holes that would latch on to a hook mounted under the stairs. Or perhaps use some ribbon straps like you would use to strap down your kayak on your car and devise a way to hold the kayak under the stairwell.

 

[Chunkee]

do not use any thing that hangs them by the bow and stern or handles...the support should be just outsides of the cockpit (keyhole)

I store mine, they are ww kayaks mind you..standing up against the wall...on a piece of foam...unlikely you can do that with very long recreational kayak..unless you have very very high ceilings.

JC

 

[wiredspider]

hehe people store them on the wall as "art". Thank goodness I have a garage for mine.

 

[aphex]

Thanks everyone, those ceiling mounts look sweet, I'll look into them a bit more.

As for a folding Yak, would love it but they don't seem to make a Sit-on-top, and they seem to be kinda pricy compared to the ones I've been looking at (about 2x as much). Thanks for the suggestion though!