Using a Hoist to store my Kayak

I recently purchased a Revo and my buddy and I set up a Hoist pulley sytem and opted the hang from the handles which seems to be supporting the Kayak just fine with no unnecessary stress. The manual suggests handing upside down on the rails or on it's side. Am I looking at a problem further down the road? I have it supported where the finger grooves are.

BTW this Yak rocks. I am an avid Mtn Biker and first time Kayak owner and blown away. I went out opening day fishing on my friends Tarpon 140 and while I had a good time, the two aren't even close. There seems to be some mixed emotions regarding the Mirage drive from other Kayak enthusiasts, they should try it. I have to admit, I was sceptical at first.

Hey Hobie, you sould be marketing your product toward cyclists. I would have considered one awhile ago if I had known. It has been a great X-train, keeps me outdoors and opened up a brand new activity, much to my wifes dismay.

Hang from the handles?... not a good idea.

We recommend against this. The polyethelene is somewhat soft and can cold-flow (distort) and fail over a long period of stress.

I support mine with straps.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I don't have a Revolution but I found a good way to hoist my Adventure Island to the ceiling of my studio for winter storage.

I used four eye bolts and inserted them in the two aka bars after turning the kayak (sans amas and akas) upside down. Canvas straps with buckles attach to the eye bolts fore and aft and then two ratchet pulleys hoist the Adventure to the ceiling.

This method places all the weight of the kayak on the two aka cross bars and puts little or no strain on the plastic hull. After five months of winter storage there was no hull distortion. Those of you out there with an AI might consider this method of storage.

norman ernsting a.k.a. Punchinello on kfs

Pics are always a help.

Regarding the first commments, is it safe to assume that straps fore and aft, where the handles are won't stress the Yak in some way? Moving the Pullys would be a problem. How about topside or bottomside up or down?

Nice Forum BTW

We recommend bottom up. Supported by the rails. I would rather distribute the weight by 3rds... with the straps more towards the center if possible, but upside down should be stiff enough if supported by straps nearer the ends.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

We have had a Mirage Outback and Mirage Tandem supported bottom up in the garage for three years. During the off season they stay up for 8 months straight. We use two Harken Hoisters from West Marine. They make it very easy to hoist the kayaks off the roof rack of the van. I place the paddles on the kayak bottom inside the hoist lines so they form a barrier. Then all Mirage drives, seats, lifejackets go up on the bottom of the kayaks so everything is out of the way. The paddles keep everything up there.

After this amount of time there is no distortion or damage to either kayak.