If you’re tired of tripping over your kayak in the garage or struggling to find space for your outdoor gear, the Rad Sportz Kayak Storage Hoist could be your new best friend. With a heavy-duty design capable of lifting up to 125lbs and a user-friendly installation process, this overhead pulley system promises to maximize your storage capabilities. This review dives deep into the features, benefits, and user experiences—both positive and critical—so you can determine if this hoist is the solution to your cluttered space.
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Elevate Your Gear: Discover the Kayak Hoist
Pros:
- Easy installation with minimal tools required, making it accessible for DIY enthusiasts.
- High weight capacity of 125lbs allows for diverse usage beyond just kayaks, such as bicycles and ladders.
- Safety features including rubber-coated hooks and a reliable locking mechanism provide peace of mind during storage.
Cons:
- Installation may require additional materials not included, such as longer screws for certain ceiling types.
- Challenging to lower both ends of the kayak simultaneously when it is tightly secured against the ceiling, which may be cumbersome for some users.
- Potential wear on the rope over time due to the braking mechanism pinching the lines against the pulleys.
How does it work?
The Kayak Storage Hoist by Rad Sportz operates using a simple yet effective overhead pulley system designed to maximize storage space in areas with high ceilings, specifically up to 12 feet. This system allows you to lift and secure heavy items like kayaks, bikes, and ladders weighing up to 125 pounds with ease.
Installation involves mounting the hoist to the ceiling joists or rafters using the provided hardware, requiring minimal tools. Once set up, the user can easily raise or lower their kayak by pulling on the designated ropes. The hoist features a rubber-coated hook to protect your items from scratches and durable straps to keep them secure.
What sets this hoist apart is its automatic locking brake mechanism, which ensures that once you lift your kayak and secure the rope, it will not accidentally lower. This means your kayak is safely stored overhead, freeing up floor space beneath. It is designed for indoor use, making it perfect for garages or sheds. Users simply pull one rope to lower one end of the kayak, allowing for gradual and controlled descent, ensuring safety while handling heavy loads.
Overall, this hoist combines engineering quality with ease of use, making it a must-have for any outdoor enthusiast looking to optimize their storage capabilities.
Maximize Space with Our Overhead Pulley System
Who is it for?
The kayak storage hoist is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those who own kayaks, bikes, or ladders, and are looking for effective and space-saving storage solutions in their garages or sheds. It targets consumers who appreciate easy installation, safety features, and robust engineering for securing heavy items up to 125 pounds. This product is suitable for individuals with limited space who want to free up floor area while keeping their gear organized and accessible. Additionally, DIY enthusiasts or homeowners who tackle home improvement projects themselves will find the installation process straightforward, making it appealing to a wide audience including families, outdoor sports lovers, and those needing practical storage solutions for their recreational equipment.
Top positive review
I just bought this to get my Tsunami 12 w/rudder out of the way. If you are not trying to lift 200 lbs this thing is awesome. Plenty sturdy enough to lift kayak. I installed it under the ceiling of a 10 x 12 pavillion for want of a better word for this small pole barn. Since it the ceiling is 1/2 inch plywood I was tempted to just screw it right to the plywood but that is nailed in place instead of screwed. Instead I used 3′ deck screws to fasten 1×4 oak, pre-drilling the holes, and screwing into the collar ties of the roof rafters. The collar ties were on 2ft centers so I used (2) 26′ sections. Oak between 2 collar ties is plenty to hold this weight and the 4ft in between does nothing so why waste the wood. I used the oak because that was what I had. If I had had 2x4s handy I would have used those. The lag screws which came with it are the correct length for using 2×4 material. I put the whole thing up by myself and it was simple, perhaps because I used the 26′ boards instead of 6ft plus boards. I screwed I pre-drilled holes so that the pulley brackets were 6ft apart and screwed those up with lags ( bought shorter lags which were threaded all the way to the head because I used 3/4 oak. I wanted the threads to engage the oak not just the plywood behind it).After that simply attached to pulleys with the through bolts provided. Since the ceiling of the pavillion is pretty high, I ran the rope through as one piece, going through the pulleys as instructions describe but then threaded the bitter end back up through the brake and pulleys to knot it through the hole. I wanted to make sure there was wnough rope for the main system before cutting it. I then pulled 6ft of rope clear from the back pulley, cutting it with a rope cutting soldering iron. I used this 6ft to make the restrictor between the pulleys. The only issue I had was despite pre-drilling the first hole for the cleat, then screw snapped off at the head using an 18 volt Ryobi impact gun ( which I use for virtually every screw I put in anything). I used some Stainless panhead screws I had to put the cleat up.The brake is excellent and makes it much easier to cleat off because you don’t have hold up the weight of the kayak while cleating off as well as uncleating. You do have release one rope at a time to bring the kayak down until there is some space between it and the ceiling so you can pull the line downand a little toward the other pulley so the brake stays released. When it’s up tight against the ceiling it won’t release both lines at the same time. Pull on one line to keep the brake off while letting out the other line to lower one end of the kayak, Reverse the process with the other line. When it’s got a couple feet of clearance you can lower both ends at once. The only concern I have is that the brake essentially pinches the lines against the pulleys so I wonder how this will wear the lines over time. The line seems to be decent woven nylon line so chafe may nerver be an issue.I may get a few more of these to hang other things things like a tadpole trike. Well made for what it’s designed to do, in my opinion. The only problem I could possibly anticipate anyone having with this is if they try to lift too much weight. It’s for a kayak not an engine block.
Top critical review
Does work as is intended
Shop Now for Easy Storage Solutions!
The RAD Sportz Kayak Storage Hoist stands out as a practical solution for anyone looking to maximize their space while ensuring their kayaks and other gear are stored safely. With its easy installation, robust engineering, and reliable safety features, users can enjoy a clutter-free environment without compromising on security. While the positive experiences from users highlight its effectiveness, potential buyers should be mindful of the weight limits to avoid performance issues. Overall, this product is a worthy investment for outdoor enthusiasts looking to elevate their storage game.