How To Build A Kayak Storage Shed

A kayak storage shed can be a great way to keep your boat safe and out of the harsh weather conditions. However, they can often be expensive if you purchase one ready-made.

Making your own shed may take some time (and some DIY skills) but it could save you a few bucks. We have put together a short guide with tips on how to build and some of the things you might need before you start.

Why You Need A Kayak Shed In Your Life

Protect Your Kayak From The Elements

One of the main reasons why a kayak shed can be useful is because it can provide good, solid shelter for your boat. This can help to keep your vessel protected from extreme summer or winter temperatures, which can damage your kayak.

Moisture, heat and sunlight can all cause damage to your kayak if you keep it outside. Storing your vessel in a shed can help to extend the life of your yak and keep it in better condition.

> How to store a kayak (inside and outside)

Create More Storage Space

By building a shed for your kayak you can effectively increase your overall storage space at home. This could mean that you can free up space in your garage which may have originally been home to your boat.

A storage shed could also help you keep your yard a little tidier, as your yak can be neatly stored away instead of being on display. If you have more than one kayak, this could have even more of an impact on how tidy your yard can look.

Easy To Access

Storing your kayak in a purpose built shed can make it easier for you to access. By having your shed in a convenient location in your yard, you should be able to take your kayak out more easily than if it were stored on a ceiling rack in your garage, for example.

This means you shouldn’t need to move other gear or vehicles out of the way and you shouldn’t need to use a pulley system to lower it to the ground. If your yak is in a shed, you can simply lift or drag it out when you want to go paddling and put it back when you’re done.

Security

Storing your yak inside a shed can give you an extra layer of security to prevent thieves stealing your boat. This can be because your yak can be hidden from view, making it less likely for thieves to know it exists.

A shed can also make it more difficult for potential thieves to access your yak compared to storing your boat out in the open in your yard, as you can lock it securely inside the shed.

What To Think About Before Building

Building Regulations

Before you start building your shed it can be a good idea to find out if you will require a permit. There may be local zoning regulations for your city that require you to apply for a permit depending on the size and type of shed you plan to build.

Usually, you’ll find that sheds that are under a certain size, and without plumbing or electricity, won’t require a zoning permit but it’s best to check with your city’s zoning department.

Additionally, if you have a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), you may have extra regulations that you need to stick to, so you should check with your HOA before you begin.

Foundations

One of the first things you will probably want to think about before you begin is where you intend your shed to go.

Remember, you are going to need to be able to lift your kayak in and out of the shed easily and safely, so you should make sure you have plenty of room around your shed, particularly at the entrance. But you’ll probably need good access to all sides of the shed while you’re building it.

You should also decide how big you want your shed to be and whether you want it to store just one kayak or several. Knowing the width and length of your kayak(s) can help.

You might want to consider how you want to store your boat. For example, do you want to store them vertically, with one on top of the other? Or maybe you would prefer your yaks to be stored side by side. You might not want to store any more than two vertically, since this could make it more difficult to get them in and out if you have to lift them too high.

Once you’ve decided on the perfect spot in your yard, you’ll need to think about building the foundations for the shed. Foundations can provide a solid base for your shed, ensuring that it’s not sitting directly on the ground.

Video: How To Build A Shed Foundation

Design

The style of shed you want will probably depend on the number of kayaks you want it to hold. You should also consider the intended location of the shed in your yard, as this could affect how tall you can build it or whether you have enough room to maneuver in and out with one or multiple vessels.

Another design consideration will likely be the climate where you live. For example, is your area at risk of snow or very hot sunlight? Heavy rain can also impact your design choices. A sloping roof can sometimes be better in areas with heavy rain or snow, as this can allow the water and snow to drain off, rather than through the roof.

If you live in an area with a hot climate, such as Florida, you may want to opt for a more open design to allow air to flow through, otherwise the inside of your shed can become extremely hot.

What Materials Do You Need Before Building A Kayak Shed?

• 2×4 inch wood – the amount and length of wood you’ll need will depend on your shed design.
• 4×4 wood post – you can get these at your local hardware store. You will probably need four of them, one for each corner of your shed frame. The length will depend on how tall your structure will be.
• Screws
• Drill or Screwdriver
• Plywood – this is for the roof. The size and number of panels you’ll need will depend on the size of your intended roof. You can also use plywood for the floor of your shed but you may need a thicker panel for added strength.
• Anchor Posts – these can be used instead of concrete blocks for your foundations.
• Pool noodles to provide padding for your boat.
• Weatherproof wood coating to protect the wood.

How To Build A Kayak Shed

Step 1: Lay Out Your Foundations

Once you’ve measured the wood to suit your design, mark the locations of the four corners of your shed. Use the anchor posts to mark your location. You can also use additional anchor posts in the center of your structure to boost its overall strength but lay out the four corners first.

Step 2: Add Your Four Frame Posts

Install your four frame posts, the 4x4s, into the anchor posts and secure them using the screws, which should be included with the anchors.

Install your four frame posts, the 4x4s, into the anchor posts and secure them using the screws, which should be included with the anchors.

If you’re using more than four frame posts, install the central ones after you’ve installed the four corner ones.

Step 3: Reinforce Your Base

Using some of your 2x4s in relevant lengths, you can fix them to your posts along the sides of your frame. You can also install a number of 2x4s across the base of your frame to reinforce the floor and provide a base for your floor to sit on (if you’re adding a full floor).

Step 4: Add a Second Level (if required)

If you plan to build a shed with two levels, or two shelves, you should create this before you build the walls.

Just as you did when creating the base, secure your 2x4s horizontally to the frame posts, so that you have a similar “floor” as the base level. This is what your second (upper) kayak will be resting on, so it should have enough support beams (2x4s) on this second level to take the weight.

Video: Building A Kayak Storage Shed

Step 5: Build Your Walls

You can continue using 2x4s horizontally fixed with screws to your frame posts. If you choose, you can create the entire walls out of the 2x4s, choosing whether or not you want to leave gaps between each one for air to pass through.

If you want a more sealed structure, you could use a plywood panel over the top of your wall frame.

Step 6: Build Your Roof

Once your shed structure is complete with all the levels or shelves that you want, it’s time to attach the roof.

It can be a good idea to use 2x4s to create rafters for your roof to sit on. This can help to hold your roof up. Remember if you’re building a sloping roof, it can be a good idea to make sure that one side of your shed frame is higher than the other. This can be easier to build than trying to build a pitched roof.

Screw your plywood roof panel onto the rafters you’ve just installed. Your shed should now be ready to go.

Step 7: Customize It

You can customize your shed to suit your own personal taste and to better protect your kayak. You can add pool noodles to the beams so that your kayak has a softer surface to sit on. You can also choose to weatherproof your shed by adding a coat of paint or wood protector.

In Conclusion

A kayak storage shed can be a safe and easy way to keep your kayak at home without having to lose space in your garage or basement. Building your own shed can be a lot cheaper and can let you create your own design to suit your space and your boats.

Have you built your own kayak shed? Let us know how you did it and if you think others might find this helpful, share it.