Overhead Kayak Storage

[absentx]

So I have two Hobie Outbacks that after buying discovered that these are simply not "light little kayaks" that are easy to move around!

They require a solid strategy in terms of putting on a trailer or securing to a roof. Additionally, they take up a lot of space so when they are not in use, they can get in the way of everything in your garage and be a bear to move!

Now, this is all fine, I am simply stating that it takes having them a bit to realize that two of them are pretty substantial in terms of storage and transportation.

With that in mind, last fall I set out to design and build an overhead storage rack for both the Outbacks in my garage. Frankly they were taking up tons of room on the ground and because they were awkward to lift and move around, I think it influences how much we use them. So my plan was to build an overhead rack that allowed me to easily raise and lower the kayaks without exerting a bunch of lifting power. My thought from the beginning had always been to use garage door rails and other garage door hardware and ultimately that is what I went with.

I know a lot of people would say "why didn't you just install a hoist??" Well, this was a lot more fun, I think it works really good and it just adds a ton of utility to my garage. I can hang stuff from it and really the sky is the limit.

I have attached some pictures of it. You'll see the one picture where I have it in "retrieval" mode with the safety straps holding at the proper angle I want to just pull the kayak right off the rack. The tow straps ended up being a solution that I improvised after the rack was done. I wanted additional safeties in place so I always put two tow straps under each kayak, those same tow straps end up being what I use to restrict the angle at which the rack can rest during load/unload.

Ultimately, I want to add on some awesome spring loaded system that not only reduces the weight you feel as you raise and lower it, but makes it even more safe...I guess I will add that part on this summer.

Anyways, just wanted to share my storage solution and see some strategies other people have used and talk about spring/weight engineering if anyone felt up to it!