Kayaking is arguably one of the best activities and experiences you can enjoy during your free time. Whether you’re running a kayaking business or have one for personal use, you must ensure that it’s secure and safe.
Kayaks don’t come with an inbuilt locking mechanism, so it can be challenging to lock them.
How to Lock Kayaks in Different Areas
Kayaks are very expensive and are sometimes at risk of theft. If you don’t want your kayaks to be stolen or mishandled by intruders, you need to ensure they’re locked.
There are different ways of locking a kayak, but you must be creative, primarily if you operate outdoors. Here are some tips for locking up other kayaks in different places.
Kayak Storage at Home
External elements such as rain, snow, moisture, and sunlight may harm your Kayak directly or indirectly in the long run.
That’s why it’s advisable to store kayaks indoors to protect and secure them from theft and other conditions. Consider locking your Kayak in a shed or garage for maximum security and safety.
However, if you want it within your house, you need to either hang it on a suitable suspension or mount it on a rack on the wall.
If you don’t have a shade or enough space within your home to accommodate the rack, you can fasten it against a stable tree.
Tie a rope tightly around the Kayak and the tree and ensure the boat is well anchored before you lock it up using a padlock.
If you want it to be even safer from terrible weather conditions, consider using a tarp to cover it up. Covering it also ensures that possible thieves do not easily see it. Some try to invest in expensive indoor locking systems for kayaks, but it’s only worth it if you can afford it.
However, a strong rope with a secure space, a permanent structure, and a lock can do the trick, especially if you choose a DIY strategy. If you’re putting it out of the house, you must make it right enough to prevent any theft.
Kayak Locking Away From Home
If you’re on a trip, doing outdoor tours, camping, or on vacation, you need a different strategy for locking up your Kayak.
For instance, if you’re using a hard-shell kayak, you fasten it on top of your vehicle or van. However, you don’t need to stay far away from the car to ensure it is secure from theft. If you’re not driving, you must find intelligent ways to secure your Kayak 24/7.
A potential thief can slip away with your Kayak out of nowhere if you’re not careful. The most important thing you need to identify is a sturdy structure around you.
You can quickly secure the Kayak using a rope, padlock, or cable lock. If you’re camping, you can check around and identify a tree, a sturdy log, or a dock.
Locking Inflatable Kayak
If you have an inflatable kayak, you shouldn’t have any problem locking it because you can deflate it and keep it within your tent or van. Inflatable kayaks are travel-friendly, and you can easily lock them up anywhere.
However, if you often use it, it may not require deflation after every trip. Consider securing it on top of your vehicle or inside using the kayak cable just like the one used to secure rigid kayaks.
Remember, an inflatable kayak is very light and can easily be carried by a thief, so you must be vigilant when having one.
Kayak Locking On the Road
If you’re hitting the road for a long-distance trip with your Kayak, you need to find some means of transport for you and your Kayak.
The best option is to tie it to the roof of your van. Consider planning to ensure that you have enough space to carry your Kayak.
For instance, you must have the locks, a cover, and suitable rope to tighten it on the roof to avoid any wind, rain, or sunlight damage while in transit.
If you have a lorry with a top cover, you can easily carry it within for better security. You can also purchase a kayak roof rack for your van to avoid inconveniences. Don’t forget to secure the Kayak on the rack.
You may risk it being blown away by the wind. Consider using a cable to secure it tightly while on the road. Besides, it is a good way of minimizing any theft cases, especially if you’re fond of making stops along the way to your destination.
Putting Several Kayaks Together
Suppose you have a commercial business renting out kayaks. In that case, you need to keep several kayaks locked for security reasons. It can be costly to buy separate padlocks for each Kayak.
Consider securing multiple kayaks by putting them on top and bundling them using one lock. Use a kayak cable lock and ensure that you loop it around a strong point of anchor like a pole or a tree.
An Extra Tip to Keep Your Kayak in Good Condition
If you want to keep your Kayak safe and secure, the best thing to do is to lock it up. However, there are different factors you need to put in place to ensure the security and safety of your Kayak.
For instance, you need insurance cover for your Kayak, just like any other asset. Please do not ignore that it’s part of your homeowner’s insurance. Check it out to ensure it has a cover.
Also, you need to ensure that the Kayak isn’t visible to avoid access by possible thieves. Essentially, there is no need to expose your Kayak and alert others that you are sitting and idling within your designated area.
Consider covering it with a tarp, especially if you don’t have a good shade or garage to store it in. Wrapping your Kayak ensures that few people try to identify or steal it. Besides, covering it also protects the Kayak from harsh weather conditions.
Remember, you shouldn’t leave your Kayak unlocked. Whether camping, on a trip, at home, or hitting the road, you risk losing any unlocked Kayak.
Also, don’t expose your Kayak to harsh weather conditions. Purchase a quality padlock, rope, or cable lock to help you in the process of locking up your Kayak.
