The moment you decide to acquire a canoe, the first thing that should run in your mind is how you are going to store it whenever you are not paddling in water. Due to its shape and size, you will find it hard to pick the most suitable spot to place it. Most options will involve wasting too much garage space or placing it outside where it is most vulnerable. This is why most people opt to hang it from the ceiling of their garage. This canoe storage method is designed to not only leave you with enough space but also enable you to have an easy time operating in your garage.

What to consider.
To ensure that you hoist your canoe perfectly from the ceiling, you will have to get the right materials for the job. Anything you use should be able to support the weight of the canoe without any problems. The attachment points must be well secured to avoid loosening with time. Double check every equipment just to be certain that it will work perfectly. These are some of the necessary precautions that you need to take to avoid any mishaps that are uncalled for.

Steps involved.
There are quite a number of steps that you will need to follow for you to hang your canoe from the ceiling. It is wise to avoid any shortcuts if at all you want to end up with a job well done. Some of the steps involved include:

Step 1: Gather the right equipment.
Make sure you collect every piece of equipment that you will need to perform the task. You will need some rods at least 1inch in thickness. These can also be replaced by 2x2s. You will also need a 5/16inch braided rope, preferably nylon. Make sure that it is long enough to hoist the canoe just the right distance from the ceiling.

Step 2: Prepare the equipment you will use.
You will have to cut the nylon rope into four pieces of equal lengths. The length of the ropes should be dependent on how far below the ceiling you want your canoe hanging. You should then cut the rods to 24inches or 30inches. This is usually determined by the width of the canoe.

Step 3: fix the trapeze.
To fix the trapeze, you will need to fasten the ropes to the ceiling. This will require some screw-in eyebolts. You should, however, make sure that you screw them into the ceiling joist if at all you want the ropes to hold firmly. The distance in between the two sets of ropes should be measured depending on the length of the canoe. The longer the canoe, the longer the distance. On the other hand, the distance between to ropes that will hold the rod should be dependent on the width of the canoe.

Once the ropes are strategically placed, fasten the rods on each set of ropes tightly. Remember, this is the part that will bear the weight of the canoe directly. You should thus make sure that you don’t leave any room for loosening. Keep it tight, firm, and completely secure. This will ensure that you have a great trapeze to hold your canoe and keep it hoisted as long as you want.

Step 4: Test your trapeze.
This is the step that determines if you did a good job or not. Get your canoe and place it on the trapeze. Start by putting one end of the canoe before proceeding to the next. This way you won’t have to waste so much time trying to place the canoe on the trapeze. Once the canoe is nicely positioned, move aside, and listen for any loosening noises. Examine the ceiling and the rods to make sure that they are bearing the weight without any problems. If you don’t spot any issue, then go ahead and start enjoying the ample space that the storage idea has left behind.

Things to avoid when picking a canoe hanging method.
This is only one of the many methods that you can use to hang your canoe from the ceiling. Whichever method you pick, make sure you avoid some basic things that will definitely make the method defective. For instance, make sure that you don’t hang your canoe from its grab loops, thwarts, or handles. These spots usually loosen with time, and so you will find your canoe hitting the surface once they give up. Any method you choose should not involve hanging the canoe from one side, hang on both sides to distribute the weight across the whole canoe.

Avoid hanging the canoe on areas where there are extreme temperatures. Some of these places include near the furnace or above the water heater among many other spots. This is because extreme heat will either damage the canoe or reduce its quality over time. The last thing you want is to end up having a defective canoe simply because you had a great hanging idea, but you just didn’t scout the area well enough to notice that there is too much heat.

Lastly, it is always advisable to hang the canoe upside down. This way, you will prevent the haul of the canoe from accumulating dirt and dust over time. It’s also undoubtedly one of the best ways to maintain the stability of the canoe throughout the period you will be storing it. Some people have made it a habit to hang the canoe upright and transform the haul into additional storage. This is often discouraged by most canoe suppliers.

From the above information, it is evidently true that hanging a canoe is one of the best and most effective ways to store them. The method will ensure that your canoe remains safe while maintaining the space of your garage. Make sure that you follow the simple steps above when hanging your canoe. Keep in mind the things to consider, things to avoid, and most importantly, the favor you will be doing yourself in terms of space and convenience. It is by far the best method of storing a canoe in a garage.