outside hobie storage question

I recently purchased a new hobie oasis but I don't have the room to store it indoors. Is it ok to just store it upside down and covered like the manual states or is it better to mount it on its side on a rack? I've seen some kayak covers for $100 to $200 or just a regular tarp the same thing? Any ideas would be appreciated.

I stored my Quest outside along the shady side of the house with no cover upside down for 3 years including 3 full canadian winters and it still looks mint. I have the Ivory colour and I believe it helps, it's not as susceptible to sun and temperature fluctuations as much. I've never used any type of UV protection either.

Neil

ok. I didnt know if they should be covered or off the ground? Thanks.

While I don't have a Hobie, there are a few generally-accepted ideas about storing boats outside. Off the ground is good because it discourages bugs from moving in. Take Hobie's advice about how the boat should be supported. A cover to keep the sun off is good (especially if you've got a red boat, and you don't want to turn it into a pink boat). But allow some air space between the cover and the boat, so you don't get damp/ condensation patches which can encourage the growth of mildew.

Mary

thanks. It is a red boat. I think I am going to order one of those Danu Kayak covers that is semi-water proof but is supposed to breath a little. If I start to get condensation or mold then I guess I will have to look at some other type of cover. I live near the Gulf of Mexico and pretty much any type of tarp is going to get blown away or shredded at some time or another due to the frequent and unexpectedly strong winds. Thanks for the info I do not want to end up with a pink boat.

Our Red Oasis is stored upside down on a Malone Sport trailer. We bought the Hobie cover, the day we got our Oasis a year ago in June. We have the Hobie black cushion pads on the two racks on the Malone, and the yak rests upside down on those pads.

Our storage/parking area is on the SW side on an asphalt driveway. So the covered yak is in hard sunlight most days of the year. Also, in wino country, we have a lot of pollen, stuff from near by vineyards and incredible Hi-Lo temp changes most days.

We had a lot of severe rain/wind storms this past year, and the cover cinched over the Oasis doesn't move. It isn't bouncy tight, but it isn't cinched loosely over the Oasis.

A year later our Oasis looks as good as new. I hose the cover off about once a month or when stuff collects on it. I hose the top/bottom of the Oasis and wipe it after every use.

Covers are worth the investment for yaks, boats, barbeques and outdoor furniture. We cover everything, and the stuff lasts. We have younger relatives and friends, who never cover any outdoor stuff in this area, and their stuff has to be replaced on a regular basis.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

I have a red oasis stored outside in the hot sun. I made a cover out of garden shade cloth that I bought at Ace Hardware. I think the cloth cost about $35. It's a light cream color. It's wide enough to cover the boat. You just need to sew some seams in either end to fit the bow and slip over the rudder. The cloth is porous so it breathes and doesn't tend to blow away like a tarp would. I made it so it fits tight and I don't need anything to hold it in place. It's held up for three years and the boat still looks good.