All -
My local homeowners association down here in Florida somehow got the notion that I know a thing or two about canoes. Therefore, they are now trying to enlist me in an effort to secure new outdoor canoe rack (or racks) for use on the lake which our neighborhood borders. They are looking for a six or eight unit rack (s), suitable for both canoes and kayaks.
The old rack currently in use is a home-made, wooden, and falling apart. All kind of Florida mold and flora species grow on it and around, degrading its integrity. I keep my two Kevlar canoes down there since it is only a very short distance from my home, it is a locked & fenced-in area, because the annual fee to keep them there is cheap, and also because I don't have much space (vertical or horizontal) left in my garage.
It would be nice (but not essential) to find a commercially-sold rack that has a UV-protecting "roof." Sadly, the lady who owns the crummy old fiberglass Mohawk Blazer 16 (a discontinued model) that is 100% covered in lichen and barnacles - a canoe which currently "shields" my canoes (on the rack below it) from falling crap and UV rays - is about to sell (or trash) the danged thing. So, I'll have to come up with a UV solution no matter what. I'm thinking a simple tarp would do the trick, if a roof proves impractical or too expensive.
A rack built of PVC piping or maybe aluminum or another durable material would be the best bet for longevity. Also, I don't think there would be much interest in any "homemade" solution... and I certainly would be the very last person anyone should engage to lead a build-it-yourself project.
Anyway, if you have experience with an outdoor 6-8 unit standing canoe/kayak rack that you can recommend, I would welcome your feedback!
Jimbo