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It goes without saying that stand up paddle boards are large pieces of kit and their size can cause a problem with storage. If you’ve just invested in a board, you need to think about storage options to keep it in the best condition possible and protect it against damage when it’s not in use.
Ideally, indoor storage is the best option for SUPs, but this may not always be practical, especially if you live in a small space and don’t have adequate room indoors.
Paddle boards can easily be affected by sunlight, moisture, and heat, so when choosing a storage location, you need to keep those three things in mind.
Heat: If your paddle board is exposed to heat, it can affect the core materials of your board and, in extreme conditions, cause your board to delaminate. Delamination is where the epoxy shell separates from the core of the board and causes air pockets between the two materials.
Sunlight: Sunlight can cause discoloration to your paddle board and it can also affect the outer shell material.
Moisture: Moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can ultimately damage the shell of your SUP.
Paddle boards are generally around 11 feet in length and storing a board this big inside isn’t always feasible.
Outdoor paddle board storage is okay, as long as it’s kept out of the sun and under a tarp, roof, or deck. The shade produced by a roof or deck will protect your SUP from the sun’s heat and damaging UV rays.
Alternatively, if you don’t have space under a deck or roof, you can suspend a water-resistant tarp over the entire length of the paddle board, ensuring the tarp doesn’t directly touch the SUP’s hull.
If you do choose to store your paddle board outside, it is also important to keep your SUP out of reach by snow or rain.
Outdoor rack systems will cradle your board, keep it off the ground, and away from any objects that’ll potentially damage it. So, if you’ve just purchased a SUP or you just need a new storage solution, we’ve narrowed down the best outdoor paddle board storage racks that you should consider.
The GILI Minimalist Wall Rack is a low budget rack with a simple minimalist design that’ll securely store your board and paddle against your outdoor wall.
The Best Marine wall mount made it onto our top overall position because of its nylon padded arms, reasonable price point, and its great outdoor storage durability.
If you have more than one board, the Stoneman Sports freestanding storage rack can securely hold up to 3 boards in place and it doesn’t need to be screwed into a wall.
These are some of the best outdoor racks available for storing your paddle board outside.
The GILI Minimalist Paddle Board Wall Rack made it onto our top minimalist rack because of its simple yet effective storage design.
The rack is low-key and puts the center of attention on the star of the show, your board. The soft padded mounts protect the deck of the board from any damage and the aluminum frame is sturdy and rust-resistant.
The StoreYourBoard Metal Paddle Board Wall Rack has independent adjustable arms that can be moved to accommodate a range of board shapes and sizes.
The rack is made from heavy-duty steel and is strong enough to hold up to four SUPs at a time.
To prevent damage to your boards, each of the arms has a rubber padding that also does an amazing job of gripping your board and keeping it in place. It’s one of the best outdoor paddle board storage solutions on our list, due to it being high quality at a reasonable price point.
The Best Marine Paddle Board Storage Wall Mount made it onto our best overall pick for a number of reasons. It’s the best outdoor paddle board storage solution we’ve come across, and here’s why:
The wall mounts are made from powder-coated steel that is rust-resistant and can withstand the outdoor elements.
Both arms have nylon foam padding with straps and fasteners, so you can secure your board in place and protect the deck against damage when it’s not in use.
The Best Marine storage rack has a total weight capacity of 100 lbs and can hold not only SUPs but kayaks, canoes, and surfboards as well.
The COR Surf Paddle Board Wall Rack has a sleek, black, and simple design, making it a great option for the minimalists out there.
The arms are made from powder-coated steel and feature a layer of padding to protect your board from damage.
The rack’s maximum weight capacity is 100 lbs, and its generous 10” space between the arms allows boards of all shapes to be stored on the rack system.
If you have numerous boards you want to store all in one place, then the Stoneman Sports Freestanding Floor Storage Rack could be a great option for you!
It made it onto our best rack for quivers (meaning a collection of paddle boards) because it can hold up to three boards and it doesn’t need to be mounted on a wall.
The frame of the stand is made from heavy-duty steel and each rack level can hold a board up to 40 lbs in weight.
The Rad Sportz Kayak rack is another freestanding rack that can hold two boards with a total weight capacity of 175 lbs.
The frame of the rack is powder-coated and the padded sleeves are UV-protected to withstand the outdoor elements and keep your board damage-free.
The Rad Sportz rack comes with hold-down anchors to keep it securely in place if you do choose to keep it outdoors.
The Pelican Double Kayak Storage Strap is a completely different system from what we have mentioned prior.
Instead of a hard mount, this system uses polypropylene straps that hang paddle boards against the wall. Each strap has a maximum weight capacity of 100 lbs and they also include loops to hang your paddles from.
The D-ring closure systems are made from stainless steel and the strap system is easy to use once installed.
The COR Paddleboard Padded Wall Storage Sling is another strap system that’ll keep your boards up off the ground and neatly tucked away against a wall.
The straps are padded and made from heavy-duty nylon that is suitable to be used indoors and outdoors.
The nylon straps are easily adjustable so you can fit a wide range of boards inside and the sling comes with all required hardware that is easily assembled.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important considerations when it comes to finding an outdoor SUP storage solution that’s right for you. Here are a few things you’ll need to think about.
The main two types of outdoor paddle board racks are wall-mounted or free-standing racks.
Wall racks require a wall to be mounted to and, once installed, they hold your SUP in a vertical position up off the floor.
Free-standing racks do as they say, and they stand free without the need to drill them into a wall or deck.
If you purchase a free-standing rack, you may need to think about adding extra weight to the feet to prevent it from moving on a windy day or during a storm.
It’s important to take your time, do your research and purchase a high-quality rack that is durable and will store your board for years to come. The best outdoor paddle board storage solutions are ones that are durable and long-lasting but without costing an arm and a leg.
GILI recommends you consider purchasing your own heavy-duty screws and fixtures separate from the rack. The extra durability of the screws will ensure your storage rack is solid and as sturdy as can be.
All storage rack systems have a maximum weight limit, so it is important to weigh your board and find a rack that can hold that weight, and then some.
This also goes for rack systems that can hold more than one SUP, add up the total weight of all SUPs, and purchase a rack with a higher weight capacity.
As your storage rack is going to be outside, it is important to look out for racks that are made from weather-resistant and UV repellent materials.
Purchasing a rack that isn’t made for outdoor use can cause it to break prematurely from rust.
Yes paddle boards can be stored outside. Although it isn’t the most ideal storage space, paddle boards can be stored outside as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight and away from heat and moisture.
If your only option is to store your paddle board outdoors, then it’s best to store your SUP under a deck, tarp, or roof and out of reach from rain and other elements.
During the winter, you can either store your paddle board in or out of a paddle board bag.
If you’re storing your paddle board in its bag, it’s best to leave the bag unzipped to allow any heat build-up to escape.
If your board is being left outdoors during winter, choose a place where water can’t reach it and potentially freeze on top of it.
Indoors in an unheated garage or shed are the best storage locations for a SUP in winter.
Depending on which SUP rack you purchase, it may already come installed.
Most wall and ceiling racks tend to be small and will only need attaching to a wall or ceiling.
For large racks that come unassembled, it is best to closely follow the instructions that are provided to make sure you’re building it correctly and to prevent it from breaking once a board is placed on top.
Yes, you can leave inflatable paddle boards inflated!
With that being said, if you aren’t going to be using your inflatable paddle board for a long period of time, it is best to fully deflate it and store it until your next adventure.
If you’d prefer to keep your board inflated, it is recommended to release some air from the board. By releasing some air, you’ll allow room for the inside air to expand.
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