My kayak is a Perception Swifty, which is 9.5 ft long and weighs about 38 lbs. This kayak is easy to handle and very stable with a wide cockpit to easily get in and out of. When I paddle, I use a spray skirt to cover the cockpit to keep the water and hot sun off my legs.

I love to paddle on lakes and rivers (some whitewater) and my Swifty is easy to maneuver and control especially with the adjustable foot braces.

The carry handles on the Swifty makes it easy to carry and I have no problem securing the kayak to my roof rack and kayak rack. One thing that is a must with the Swifty is a cockpit cover. I bought mine for $20 and it’s great at keeping those spiders and bugs out of the boat. When I’m not using my Swifty I hang it on a kayak sling.

I have been kayaking for twenty years and have paddled many different types of kayaks but the Swifty which is great for beginner and experienced kayakers is the only kayak I have ever owned.

The only disappointment I have about my Swifty is when I bought it, they didn’t offer it in all the cool colors that they have now. It’s tempting to get a new colorful one.  

What’s your kayak?

If you’re looking for a kayak then check out our how to choose a kayak page to help you choose the right kayak for you!

If you’re looking to buy a kayak, then check out our shopping for great deals for kayaks page. You can find some great deals on kayaks from online stores.

Hopefully your kayak is stored in a safe dry place.
If you live in a warmer region you may still be paddling, although with the weather lately even the warmer regions haven’t been too warm!
Have you protected your kayak from the elements?
The best storage area would be indoors like a garage, basement, or shed. I’ve seen kayaks stored under a house (in the crawl space), a large bedroom closet, and in a living room on its side between the couch and the wall. You would not have even known it was there if you didn’t look.
If you do not have room to store indoors than store under a shelter or overhang.
Whichever storage method you use will depend on the space you have available.
How will you store your kayak?
You can hang them on straps, stand them upright, and store them upside down or on their side. I have stored my kayaks using all of these methods.
Storing your kayak off the ground will protect your kayak from moisture and extreme temperature changes.
Don’t forget the cockpit cover! This will help keep bugs and other pests from making your kayak their home.  I have cockpit covers on all my kayaks. This way I don’t have to check for spider’s every time I go paddling!
No shelter available?
If you do not have a shelter you can build a very simple one using a weather resistant tarp. You will want to hang the tarp over your kayak. Do not wrap or cover your kayak with the tarp because this may promote moisture and mold.
You can hang your kayak from straps or place it on sawhorses. You will want to support your kayak and distribute the weight evenly at several points along the length. You can use straps or cradles to distribute weight evenly.
Have you protected your kayak against theft?
If you are storing you kayak outside, find a spot that is hidden from view. You don’t want to make it easy for someone to just carry it off. You may want to consider locking your kayak to heavy or non movable objects using a cable and lock.
Where do you store your kayak? We would love to hear from you.