How to Store a Kayak in a Small Flat or Apartment

'Where do you keep it?' It's the question every kayaker gets asked at least once. And if you live in a flat, a first-floor apartment, or a house with no garage or shed, it's a question that can put people off buying a kayak entirely.

It doesn't have to. Here's how kayakers in small spaces make it work — and one solution that makes the whole problem much simpler.

The Challenge with Traditional Kayaks

A standard one-piece sit-in touring kayak is typically 4.5 to 5.5 metres long. That's longer than most rooms. Storing it indoors is essentially impossible. Outdoors storage — on a balcony, in a garden, or chained to a wall — means UV exposure, weather damage, and security concerns.

Roof-mounted external storage is possible but requires a house with outside wall space and a way of getting the kayak up there, usually involving a pulley system and a second person. For a flat-dweller, it's essentially not an option.

Storage lockers and kayak clubs can work, but they add cost, inconvenience, and — crucially — they put a barrier between you and the water. If getting your kayak requires a 20-minute drive to the storage facility first, you'll paddle less.

What Modular Kayak Owners Actually Do

Point 65 modular kayaks split into two or three sections, each typically 75–90cm long. That changes the storage equation entirely. Here are the approaches our customers use most often:

Option 1: Under the bed

Two-section kayaks are the most popular for this. Each section of a Falcon, for example, is roughly 85cm long and 60cm wide — a similar footprint to a large suitcase. They slide under a standard double bed with space to spare. Many of our customers store their kayak this way permanently and can be in the car and heading to the water within ten minutes of deciding to go.

Option 2: In a wardrobe or storage cupboard

Stood on end, kayak sections fit in most standard wardrobes and deep storage cupboards. The sections are wider than they are deep when on end — they need about 60cm of clearance — but they're surprisingly easy to accommodate once you've tried. A hall cupboard, a utility room, or an understairs space all work well.

Option 3: On a wall with brackets

If you have a spare wall in a bedroom, living room, or hallway, simple horizontal wall brackets let you store kayak sections at shoulder or ceiling height. The sections stack neatly and — with the right brackets — can look deliberately displayed rather than awkwardly stashed. This is popular with paddlers who've leant into the kayaking lifestyle and don't mind the aesthetic.

Option 4: In the car boot permanently

This sounds extreme but it's surprisingly practical. A two-section modular kayak fits in the boot of most hatchbacks and SUVs with the rear seats folded. Some of our customers simply leave the sections in the car — always ready to paddle, never requiring a loading operation. If your flat doesn't have the space and your car does, this works.

Option 5: On a balcony (covered)

For those with a balcony, kayak sections store cleanly outside if covered with a breathable cover or tarpaulin. HDPE kayak hulls are UV-resistant and waterproof, so outdoor storage doesn't degrade them — but direct long-term sunlight does cause colour fading over years. A simple cover solves this.

Choosing the Right Kayak for Small-Space Storage

Not all modular kayaks are equally apartment-friendly. Section length matters:

• Two-section kayaks (like the Falcon) typically split into sections of roughly 160–180cm each — long enough that you'll want to store them on their side or horizontally.
• Three-section kayaks (like the Bourbon 17) have shorter sections of around 90–110cm each, making them significantly easier to store in a small space. All three sections fit under most beds or in a standard wardrobe with room to spare.

If storage space is your primary concern, a three-section kayak gives you the most flexibility.

Practical Storage Tips

• Rinse before storing indoors. After saltwater paddling especially, rinse the sections with fresh water and leave them upright for a few minutes to drain before bringing them inside. Dry hulls are much easier to live with.
• Store hull-side down when possible. This protects the cockpit area and is more stable than storing on the side.
• Leave buckles undone in storage. Keeping the Snap-Tap™ straps clipped when not assembled doesn't harm them, but leaving them loose is a good habit and means they're ready to clip quickly at the water's edge.
• Don't store in a hot car long-term. For extended storage, a cool dry space is better than a parked car in direct sunlight. HDPE is heat-resistant but prolonged extreme heat (like a car parked in a heatwave) can cause slight warping over time.

The Bigger Picture

The real benefit of apartment-friendly kayak storage isn't just that it saves space — it's that it removes a barrier. When your kayak is under the bed and not in a storage unit 20 minutes away, you'll paddle more. You'll go on weekday evenings after work. You'll grab a few hours on a sunny Saturday morning. The kayak that's easy to get to is the kayak that gets used.

That's been the guiding principle behind Point 65 modular kayaks for nearly 30 years: a real kayak, for real life, in a real flat.

Browse the full modular kayak range — or check our modules and sections if you're looking to extend or adapt an existing kayak.