Storage advice for new owner?

[Geography Nerd]

Hello. I've recently purchased a fully restored 1963 Old Town guide 16'. I wanted to ask about storing the canoe. I live in Tennessee where it rarely hard freezes in winter and I'm storing it outside. It's currently being stored upside down on sawhorses under a deck. It's out of the way of being rained on or getting direct sunlight. It's sitting on noseeum (mosquito) screen that is held up with painter's tape. The screen isn't very taut since the only real concern are wrens building nests in it. I've been paddling royalex boats for about 18 years and haven't had the same concern for how I store them as long as they've been out of direct sunlight and elements. I'm sure this isn't the ideal storage situation for a wood and canvas canoe, but I want to make sure I'm not doing anything damaging with how it's being stored. Thanks for any info

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome and congratulations, your canoe should be fine. The bottom of the outside gunwales will often rot eventually if water stands on them for a long time. I've also had trouble with removing gum from painters tape if it has been left on for an extended period. Good luck,

Benson

 

[Todd F]

Nerd (hate saying that!), I like the noseeum idea. Down here in VA we have plenty of rodents that we need to keep out. I have more than a few canoes outside under tarps. Will be getting some of that material soon!

 

[MGC]

Hanging these canoes is a better option if you have a place to do it. I'm with Benson on that tape. I would not want it attached to the paint but the netting is a good idea.
What I see that worries me a bit are those plastic sawhorses. In a wind or if someone bumps it, a canoe will slide/blow right off of those. When I use those, I always attach wood or canoe canvas to the top surface to make them less "slippery" and also to make sure the molded features do not transfer dents in the canoe rails. Wood also covers those molded square notches.

 

[JClearwater]

I'm with Mike on this one. Hang the canoe from the deck above. Use two cross boards with rope at each end. I restored a canoe that was knocked off a pair of sawhorses by the wind, rolled down an embankment breaking four ribs and punching a hole through the canvas and planking. It all could have been easily avoided.

 

[Geography Nerd]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look into hanging it and I've already ditched the tape. I can see it becoming a problem later. I've wanted a wooden canoe since about 6 months after beginning paddling, so after 18 years of waiting I want to make sure I treat her right.

 

[Dan R.]

Newbie to newbie, I read some different posts about how far away the supports should be when I got my first. Trying to remember the options, I think some supported a third and others a quarter the length from ends. I’m not sure if this is the same for hanging but something to consider.