How to store 2 kayaks flush with garage ceiling

[thool]

This is similar to the couple "ceiling hoist" threads, but my needs are a little different.

We have 2 kayaks that are about 14 inches high and about 45 lbs each, that need to go between the open garage door and ceiling, which is about 16". Every rope/pulley system I've seen has head room of around a foot, so I'm looking for a solution that can lift them so they're almost touching the ceiling. I was thinking some sort of DIY webbing to cradle them, but am concerned about safety: the cradle material, the rope itself, how the rope is secured, lowering them, etc. I obviously don't want them to fall on the vehicles parked under them.

Another option is a bar system like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3WMBT5C/?tag=atomicindus08-20 But that would require 2 people on ladders. Not a deal-breaker, but not optimal either.

I'm kind of out of ideas, and am looking for any tips from people who have a similar situation and have a solution.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

I remove the top to my K5 Blazer with a home made rope and pulley system and a $100 electric winch from HF. The top weighs just over 200 lbs. I don't need it to touch the ceiling, but it could if I chose. Something like this would work for your kayaks. You'd have to custom design it for your boats and your garage.

 

[Skyking1992]

When I was a kid, my Dad used to store his 14 foot aluminum boat tight to the ceiling of the garage. He had a pulley and rope at the three corners. Two people could easily pull it up close to the ceiling. He then used a sling strap between a couple of screw eyes that acted as a safety and also raised the boat that last couple of inches.

Although one person could do all of this, it was definitely easier with two.

 

[LeeG]

I store my 8’ step ladder above the garage door. I have less than 2” clearance to work with.



The garage door has at least 1/2” of clearance under it.

Lee

 

[Youngandfree]

Cut holes in ceiling to mount your hoist above the ceiling and just have cables dropping through.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Something like this? Thought you could substitute ropes n pulleys for straps.

 

[billconner]

I store my canoes with home made rope and pulley system. Storing them upside down - gunwales sit on a bar - the pulleys "headroom" is within the "rounded hull" space. May not work for kayaks. Perhaps webbing under deck - or hull - and a wide splay with pullies are anchored further apart than hull? Increased weight of course.

The hard part about tight to ceiling is you have to lift both ends simultaneously so it's parallel with ceiling.

 

[Firebrick43]

Cut holes in ceiling to mount your hoist above the ceiling and just have cables dropping through.

If it’s an attached garage you don’t want to do that and compromise the fire resistance of the drywall ceiling.

 

[Firebrick43]

You can use two of the standard canoe lift pulley systems but instead of the strap that they use to hold the hull space them apart so they set besides the hull instead of over it. Attach bars the the hoist that the canoe or kayak sets on

 

[rayra]

Seconding LeeG, you could do it real easy with a trapeze sort of setup and could even do it with 1" webbing. Size the loops appropriately for the kayaks, set eyelets in the ends of the straps, screw lag hooks into ceiling joists and then just shove one end of a kayak thru one loop far enough to get the other end started in the other, then center.

 

[Gutman]

Following. I have to come up with something similar for my wife's paddleboards.

 

[Tynee]

You can use two of the standard canoe lift pulley systems but instead of the strap that they use to hold the hull space them apart so they set besides the hull instead of over it. Attach bars the the hoist that the canoe or kayak sets on

This right here is slick.

 

[whateg01]

When I saw flush, I thought you meant flush with the ceiling, as in the bottom at the same height as the ceiling, but I guess you just mean it has to be right against the ceiling. Easiest way to make sure the kayak stays level going up is to use 4 ropes all connected so that as you pull on a single rope they all lift in unison. Creating a pair of cradles well make it an easy one person job to raise or lower. You could use a cleat to secure the rope or put a loop in the rope and a hook on the wall. No more than a kayak weighs, you could just about use fishing line and it would be strong enough.

 

[Renegade1LI]

We went with an Inflatable kayak, easy to store and transport.

 

[toyotadriver]

I've stored canoes and kayaks hoisted to the ceiling with a bicycle hoist from Harbor Freight. Once it's on the ceiling, I use a couple ratchet straps to keep it there. Lifting my canoe is definitely above the capacity of the lift but it'll do it. The ratchet straps hold the weight once it's up there.

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[thool]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm leaning more toward the solid bar system. The kayaks are 45 lbs each, and a couple people with ladders can get it done. We don't need to take them down frequently, maybe 4 times a year.

 

[jhelrey]

This is what we use for lumber, bikes, etc. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/cr...iaKYqpZdzzdM_FJMzPjHSKSX41roWQ0RoCpp4QAvD_BwE

 

[CraigStu]

I like Firebricks setup but my concern is when the rig is down on the floor you have to slip the boat on top of the wood piece and between all the ropes. Seems that might be a 2 person job. I have learned one thing doing similar setups for ladders and for an inflatable. Get the type of cleats that have a nice wide base and mount them lower on the wall than you might think.

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There will be time when you want to hold the rope in one hand stationary to the cleat and pull the rope above the cleat so you can release it and pull at the cleat when the slack happens. Styles A, B, G , H work well. Styles D and E end up w/ the rope cutting into the drywall. This is also easier when the cleat is about waist height than shoulder or above. And use quality braided line. Three strand likes to twist and untwist as tension increases and ends up being a mess. And quality pulleys. I have been surprised how cheap hardware store pulleys w/o any bearing increase the effort needed to lift even a 50# load.

 

[SusKatCas]

I use the two bar system. One bar is fixed. I lift one end of kayak onto that bar. Then climb step ladder and lift boat to place second bar. I can get a picture when I am back in town next week. Perhaps my excused ceiling joists are key to getting the first end into position.

 

[4free]

Since the kayak is only 45lbs, you could use wide, ratchet style tie-down straps, attached to hooks/loops in the ceiling. You could attach the first one very loosely, put the kayak through it, then strap up the other side, then ratchet them flush to the ceiling.

 

[billconner]

The trick to tight to ceiling is lifting both ends together, otherwise the cantilevered end will stop it getting close to ceiling. It's why one fixed bar or any lifting one end at a time won't work. I'll try to snap a picture of my canoe tight against rafters in my garage.

 

[thool]

I was able to find a solution. It's a set that attaches to your ceiling joists with lag bolts. Very sturdy. Putting them up involves putting one end up and leaving the other end on a ladder. Then climb the ladder and lift it onto the rack. Ran about $46, recommended!




Product:

 

[Tynee]

Glad you found one that works for you.