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   

I may be looking at something similar while staying in our rental house for the next 8 months.  Hoping to have my Rapidfire and remaining household goods delivered to us Saturday. 

However, in reading the lower-rated reviews on the covering noted earlier, it seems to turns pink rather quickly, esp  in the sun, and apparently can tear rather easily after a few months...

From the reviews on that cover:
Nice cover, a good value, had an issue with sun fading. In short time it went from forest camo to a pink desert rose. Will be interesting to see how it holds up over time. A tight fit on my Eddyline Sea Star for length, but good width. Edit: Company contacted me immediately after my review to apologize for fading and send me replacement. I was definitely NOT expecting anything like that. Five stars on customer service.


  For under $40 if they will stand by it and send you a replacement, I don't see a downside at the very least you might get a idea for a DIY cover and maybe use the bungee cord and tie down straps on your DIY one.

Here's a Tyvek canoe cover for $100.
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  5 Star rating BUT it says its not for long term outdoor storage??

  Or you could go this route: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Between the blazing sun, high humidity and high winds you get in Fla, I don't think ANY cover is going to last for very many seasons.

  I think whether you build a PVC rack or buy a rack, having a reflective roof/tarp would go along ways to stopping that sun damage.

My 2 cents....Our beloved watercraft deserves a decent home.  Lots of low buck canoe and kayak hoists with enough pullies to gain mechanical advantage, so that anyone can raise them against the ceiling of a garage.    Most hulls are only 15 inches or so deep.
They will be up and out of harms way and the UV rays will have a hard time finding them.  The PVC and other polymers will eventually give in to the UV and start to get brittle and chalk on the surface.

Thanks for the great suggestions, guys!

ST's "build-it-yourself" idea was actually getting some traction with decision-makers as well as BillConner's dynamicdollies.com solution (my strong preference).  HOWEVER, the HOA finance guy just informed the "committee" there is not likely enough left in the budget to do much of anything this year so we need to wait until 2023.

Ugh. Hopefully the old wood rack holds up for a few more months.  Also, maybe I can persuade the owner of that crappy old Mohawk encrusted in lichen to sell me her nasty vessel "as is"?  That way I could just leave it there and keep it as a "capper" to protect my two boats.  That's about all that ancient derelict is good for... and it does that job well!

Anyway, thanks for the ideas, guys, including those UV protection ones.  I may end up going with one of those this year, regardless.  I may tee up this subject, again, next year....

Later & thanks!

Jimbo