Equipment storage question - garage, side yard, or shed?

[kaletor]

Hi,

Is it OK to keep the windsurfing boards, sails etc. outside in the SF Bay Area (Sunnyvale)? I recently made some changes in my garage and am wondering if I really should keep my windsurfing equipment in the garage. Would it be OK to keep them in the side yard (I can protect the equipment from sunlight.)?

What about the plastic storage sheds? I know that the inside gets really hot in the summer.

Any ideas? I always have the option to install a rack and keep my (preciousss) equipment inside the garage.

Thanks!

[windward1]

I have stored windsurfers and related gear in garages, side yards and sheds sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much. Wood rats found my rolled up sails in a shed a great place to bring a litter into the world. After all, the cloth of the sail along the mast hole could be chewed so well into nesting material.
Best place has been the house and garage and the shed once I rat-proofed it. Outside is ok, but one does have to cover to protect from UV and I found it somewhat prone to mildew in the winter. This was in Soquel and Capitola.

[ascott72]

I have kept my gear outside on balconies for 2+ years with no problems before. I think the danger from the sun and rain are minimal. Theft and animals are a bigger issue.

[isobars]

Mine stayed outside summer and winter at 6,000 feet in NM with zero problems. It started many days covered in frost or snow, then got sailed in 75-degree water, then survived blizzards on the way home across the Continental Divide. Some years it was on top of a van, other years inside another van's ambient-temp toy attic.

[rswabsin]

If you opt for keeping your gear in the garage or shed, don't under estimate the ability for mice/rats to get inside your stuff and nest. I store my gear in the garage and never had a problem in over 18 years until this past winter/spring which was especially cold. Little buggers nested inside my board bags and chewed up all the foam cushoning - must have been quite comfy for them.

Rob

[scargo]

Yep, same thing happened to me (mice eating padding from board bags). It's a great feeling when you pull your board out of the bag, and what follows is a wintry mix of mouse crap and chewed up stuffing.

Ever have a problem with them munching sails, like the luff sleeve? I haven't, but I'm wondering if I should be concerned about that.

[windward1]

Yes! See first response to poster.

[kaletor]

Thanks a lot for all the helpful responses! I will probably keep my gear inside the garage to be on the safe side.

[RickCronk]

Maybe this will help. I also store gear in the garage. The conflict for space was so bad, I built a rack on wheels which will hold the gear I use most often for the season. When it is time to load the car, I roll the rack out into the driveway and load up. Easily saves time loading and unloading.. When I need space to work in the garage, I can roll the sailing gear out of the way from side to side or back into the driveway if necessary. Wall racks hold the old stuff that I can't bear to get rid of, or isn't getting much use as of late(no wind).

And, mothballs have done a good job of keeping the mice in the attic and away from my sails, foot straps, harnesses, and other soft goods. All of which have been devoured at some time in the past. I have even found a dead mouse rolled up in my sail once who had bled out after eating a luff sleeve.

[LUCARO]

Hey Rick

Please post some photos of your rack.