Getting Your Kayak Ready for the Season

The days are getting longer, the water is calling, and your kayak has been sitting in storage since fall. Time to pull it out of hibernation. Before you launch, here is how to get your kayak ready for the season.

Pulling your kayak out of storage is one of the best feelings of the year. But a quick inspection before that first paddle can save you a lot of headaches and keep you safe on the water. Here is our practical guide to getting your boat back in shape.

Start with a full visual inspection

Set your kayak on a pair of sawhorses (or Suspenz Portable Boat Stands) in good light. You are looking for anything that was not there when you put it away.

Hull cracks or stress fractures: run your hand along the entire hull, including the keel line. Small spider cracks in fibreglass can worsen if left unaddressed. For polyethylene (plastic) boats, look for deep gouges or oil-canning (a warped, dented-in hull).

Hatch covers and seals: check that hatch covers seat properly and that rubber seals have not dried out, cracked, or deformed over the winter. A leaky hatch cover defeats the purpose of waterproof storage hatches.

Bulkheads: open the hatches and look inside. Foam or fibreglass bulkheads should be firmly bonded. Any separation or water pooling in a dry compartment is a red flag.

Deck fittings and bungees: tug on deck lines, carry handles, and bungee cords. Bungees in particular degrade over time and may have gone brittle or slack over the winter.

Rudder or skeg: if your kayak has one, test that it deploys and retracts smoothly. Check the cable tension and look for any corrosion on hardware.

Cockpit and seat: check that the seat back is secure and the foot pegs adjust freely. Give the cockpit coaming a look for cracks, especially if the boat took any bumps in storage.

Don't forget your paddle and safety gear

Your boat is not the only thing that has been sitting around. Pull out your paddle and give the shaft a twist — ferrules should lock smoothly without play. Check the blade edges for chips. Most importantly, dig out your PFD and inspect it: foam should be firm (not compressed), buckles should click properly, and all stitching should be intact. If your PFD is more than a few seasons old and the foam feels soft, it is time for a new one.

Pro tip

Blow into your PFD's inflation tube if it is an inflatable model and verify the CO₂ cartridge is fully charged and undischarged. A flat inflatable PFD in the water is just a vest.

Cleaning your kayak the right way

Even if your kayak looked clean when you stored it, winter storage brings dust, condensation, and sometimes mould. Here is how to get it properly clean before the season.

Rinse first, then wash: use a hose to knock off loose debris, then wash the hull and deck with mild soap and warm water. Avoid harsh degreasers or bleach on fibreglass and composite materials.

Clean inside the cockpit and hatches: this is where moisture and mould tend to hide. A diluted white vinegar solution works well on mould spots without damaging the interior.

UV protection: 303 Aerospace Protectant is a paddler's best friend. Apply it to your hull, deck, and rubber seals after cleaning to guard against sun damage and keep plastic and rubber supple all season.

Fibreglass and composite hulls: if your gel coat looks chalky or oxidised, a light polish with a marine-grade compound will bring back the shine. Follow with a coat of marine wax for added protection.

Let it dry completely: before loading it on your vehicle, ensure the cockpit and hatches are fully dry. Damp compartments are an invitation for mould to return.

Portable kayaks: what to check first

Not everyone stores a traditional hardshell, and if you paddle a folding, inflatable, sectional, or skin-on-frame kayak, there are a few extra things worth looking at before the season gets going.

Oru Kayaks

Unfold your Oru completely and lay it flat before your first paddle. Look along every fold line for any stress whitening or small cracks in the corrugated polypropylene — these are most likely to develop if the boat was stored folded in a very cold space. Check that all the hinges, clips, and bungee tensioners are functioning smoothly, and wipe down the fold lines with a damp cloth to clear any grit that could wear the material over time.

Maintaining an Oru Kayak

Inflatable kayaks

Inflate your boat fully and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before getting on the water — if it is losing pressure, you want to know now rather than mid-paddle. Pay close attention to the seams and valves, as these are the most common sources of slow leaks. A quick spray of soapy water will reveal any problem spots. Also inspect the fabric for any abrasion or punctures, and check that your repair kit is stocked and accessible.

Cleaning an Inflatable Kayak

Pakayak

Reassemble all six sections and check each coupling point carefully — the connections should engage firmly with no wobble or looseness. Look at the o-rings at each joint; if any appear dry, flat, or cracked after a winter in storage, replace them before you paddle. A little silicone grease on the o-rings goes a long way toward keeping the connections watertight all season.

Cleaning a Pakayak

TRAK 2.0 and skin-on-frame kayaks

These boats are in a category of their own, and they reward a careful once-over at the start of each season. On the TRAK 2.0, fully assemble the frame and check every strut, connector, and tensioning strap for wear or looseness. The frame should feel rigid and solid with no flex at the joints. Then inspect the skin itself: look for any abrasion, small punctures, or areas where the material has gone thin, paying particular attention to the keel and chine lines where the skin takes the most contact.

For traditionally built skin-on-frame kayaks with a fabric skin, check whether the skin needs a fresh coat of sealant; a well-maintained skin should feel taut and shed water cleanly rather than absorbing it. If your boat has a coated nylon or polyester skin, 303 Aerospace Protectant will help keep it supple and UV-resistant for another season.

TRAK Kayak Maintenance

A note on paddleboards

If you are bringing a paddleboard out of storage, many of the same principles apply, but there are a couple of board-specific things to look for.

For inflatable SUPs, check the valve first: make sure it is tight and seating properly before you pump. Inflate the board and listen for any slow leaks (a soapy water spray along the seams works perfectly). Check the fin box and fin for any cracks or stripped threads. For hard boards, inspect the deck pad for lifting edges and look along the rails for dings or pressure dents that could let water into the foam core.

Clean your board the same way you would a kayak — mild soap, rinse well, and treat it with a UV protectant. For inflatables, avoid rolling them up damp. If you stored yours slightly inflated, that is ideal; it keeps the seams from creasing unnecessarily over the winter. For a more in-depth article on cleaning your SUP, check out this blog.

Not sure where to start?

If you are buying new this season or thinking about upgrading, our demo centre at McLean Park on the Ottawa River is open Thursday through Sunday — come try before you buy!

Book a Demo