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.
