Your Old Town fishing kayak is an investment that will lend you years of enjoyable recreation on the water. With that said, it’ll definitely benefit from a little TLC from time to time. Here’s what you should know on that matter.
Remove, Clean, and Store the Drive System or Motor (If Applicable)
Not all Old Town fishing kayaks are equipped with integral electric motors or pedal drive systems, but those that do have them need special care and attention.
Remove these systems after your time on the water, rinse and clean as needed, and store them separately from the kayak, preferably in a cool, temperature-controlled location.
Drain the Hull
You know, a lot of people forget to drain their kayaks, especially sit on top kayaks that are usually not stored inverted.
The problem with this is that sitting water is terrible for a kayak. In cold weather, it can freeze, stressing gaskets and warping the hull; in hot weather, sitting water will give mold and mildew a place to grow – and yes, this stuff destroys your kayak’s hull over time.
The solution is simple. Either store the kayak inverted, or, if this is not necessary, pull out the scuppers and drain the hull before you leave it.
Clean the Hull
When you get back to home port, give the hull a good rinsing. You don’t want to leave salt, mud, and other debris caked on the hull. This is a simple procedure but will keep your Old Town fishing kayak looking spotless and like-new for many years.
Store It Out of the Sun or Cover It
This one is also overlooked but it is probably the most important piece of information in this whole article.
Old Town fishing kayaks, like other quality, modern fishing kayaks are made out of UV-stabilized, or UV-resistant synthetics. This does not mean that they are UV proof.
It also means that, left out in the sun, your fishing kayak’s hull will slowly degrade over time.
And, on top of that, so will some of your kayak fishing accessories.
So, do yourself a favor. Store the kayak in the shade; and if you can’t just cover the whole thing with a tarp or something of that nature.
Don’t Remove the Seat
Believe it or not, in Old Town fishing kayaks equipped with a seat, the seat on the rails/mounts serves as a lateral support for the hull, and helps to prevent it from warping. So just clean and dry the thing in place and then leave it on before storing.
Avoid the Pressure Points
One of the worst things you can do to a kayak – any kayak, regardless of whether you stack them, store them upright, or inverted – is leave them in place under a pressure point.
Distribute the pressure as much as possible. Bars, supports, logs, and even big rocks can weaken the hull where they press into it. This should be avoided as much as possible.
Inspect Hardware and Mounts
Last but not least, before you leave your kayak for the season, inspect the gear tracks and all other hardware. Either remove them completely or tighten before leaving. What you don’t want is something to fall off and get lost, or worse, roll right into the water the next time you launch.
Here for a New Old Town Fishing Kayak?
In the market for a new Old Town fishing kayak? You can learn more about the available models and even get yourself a new one online at No Bad Days Kayak. Get in touch with them and contact them if you have any questions.
