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When you’ve invested in a kayak or canoe, one thing that will probably be important to you is keeping it safe in the off-seasons when you’re not using it. It’s important that you keep it protected from the elements so you can continue to use it for years to come.
That’s where kayak and canoe covers might be useful. In this guide, we’ll look at what they are and how they might help you. We’ll also give our suggestions if you’re in the market for one.
Kayak And Canoe Covers: At A Glance
What Are Kayak/Canoe Covers, And Why Would I Need One?
First of all, canoe covers are not cockpit covers. Canoe covers are different because they cover the entire vessel. This means you can keep your canoe or kayak protected from the weather or dust and grime.
If you store your kayak or canoe outside, a canoe cover is pretty much a necessity. Many of them are water resistant, so can help to keep your craft safe and dry in the event of rain or snow, as long as the cover is pulled tight to prevent water building up on top.
Perhaps even more importantly, they can also help to keep your vessel protected from UV damage if it’s stored outside, helping to extend the life of your craft. UV damage can often be harmful to your kayak or canoe, as it can fade the hull as well as weaken it over time.
By using a kayak or canoe cover you can help to prevent some of this weather damage. Even if you store your boat inside, for example in a garage or storage locker, a kayak cover can still be useful to protect it from dust, dirt, or any creatures that might want to set up camp.
Another reason why a cover may be useful is during transportation. If you’re taking your yak on the road, particularly on long distance journeys, a cover can give your yak or canoe that additional layer of protection while it’s on your vehicle or on a trailer.
One thing to remember before covering your craft is to make sure it’s completely dry beforehand. If it’s wet and you cover it up to be stored for a significant period of time, it could lead to mold or mildew building up on your vessel.
Kayak And Canoe Covers We Recommend
1: Danuu Deluxe Kayak Storage Cover
This Danuu storage cover comes in a range of sizes to suit all types of kayaks, ranging from 9 feet up to 26 feet. These lightweight covers are built for durability with double stitched, reinforced seams and designed to be easy to put on. The fabric is also water repellent and UV resistant, which can be ideal for yaks that are stored outside.
Video: Putting on Your Danuu Cover
One feature that could come in handy is the red flag bag. As well as being storage for the cover while not in use, it also acts as a red flag that you can attach to the back of your vessel during transportation to increase its visibility while on the road.
2: Hobie Kayak Cover
The Hobie kayak covers are made from heavy duty canvas that’s built to withstand wind and rain, as well as UV light from the sun. The covers come in two different sizes, one designed for yaks between 9 and 12 feet and one for yaks measuring between 14 and 16 feet.
Hobie also make covers specifically for their Pro Angler kayaks, which can accommodate additional fishing features, such as larger seats or crates. The cover for the Hobie Pro Angler 14 can be found here and the one for the Pro Angler 12 can be found here.
3: Danuu Ranger Canoe Cover
Similar in features to the Danuu kayak cover, the Ranger canoe cover has a red flag bag included, which doubles as both a storage bag and a flag for the back of your vessel. The Ranger model is designed to fit canoes that are around 14 to 16 feet long.
It’s a lightweight, durable fabric and features straps that can let you secure it for a more customized fit to suit the shape of your vessel. The cover can be a good choice both for storing your canoe outside or if you have to transport it on a vehicle.
Conclusion
Using a kayak or canoe cover can be a good way of protecting your vessel against weather damage or dust and dirt, helping to extend the life of your yak or canoe.
You’ll find there are a range of different covers for different types of boats so it can be a good idea to make sure you have the correct measurements of your craft (both length and width) before you order one.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and have learned a little something. If you have anything you’d like to add, please leave us a comment and feel free to share this with your paddling community.