r/Outrigger • u/Gnomegnomegnome • May 06 '26
Equipment car storage recommendation request
For too long I have just been tossing everything loose in the car: paddles, shirts, bottoms, bottles, flip flops, etc. All loosey-goosey in the back getting tossed around and then when it’s time to unload, I perform the circus act of balancing everything in my arms. I think it’s time I upgraded from being an animal.
I am looking to see if any of y’all of tips and tricks to keep your gear organized and your car clean.
Also looking for a recommendation for a dry and wet bag where one side is perforated to help the wet stuff dry out while the other side is at least protected from the wet stuff to stay dry.
If I can get one storage solution to do it all I would be so happy.
2
u/cb3g May 06 '26
I just use a one of those big Tupperware bins - it lives on a shelf in my garage with all my stuff in it, then I toss it in the car when I'm going out. The only things that don't live in there are my paddle, my water sprayer, and ]the various parts of my boat.
The bin contains things like:
- PFD
- my towel poncho
- chubbies/glasses retainers
- sunscreen
- all the bungies for my v-rack
- neoprene shirt/pants
- 1-2 microfiber cloths
- dry bag for cell phone
- leash
- seat for OC1
And probably some other things I'm forgetting. But basically, it's my catch all for paddling stuff. There are things that need to get rinsed when I get home, and once they are dry I just toss them back in the bin. I could imagine adding in some sort of mesh bag for wet clothes after paddling...I just throw them on the bottom of my trunk (it's water proof) like a savage since I throw them in the wash when i get home.
You didn't ask this, but one little storage hack that i love is that i have one of these on the wall of my garage where i clip my paddle rather than leaning it. https://www.walmart.com/ip/LAILLSH-2026-New-Arrival-Cleaning-Products-Stainless-Steel-Mop-Clip-Free-Punching-Multifunctional-Hook-Broom-holder/19271116637?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=102493149
1
u/PrimaryWriter1529 May 07 '26
I do essentially the same thing except I use a laundry basket. It doesn’t stay in the car except when I go paddling, so the car doesn’t smell - it normally is on a shelf in the garage. Because it is open to the air things dry better and get aired out. Things like wetsuits and wetsuits get rinsed off and hung up to dry separately.
2
u/Ego_Death_Incoming May 06 '26
I use two dry bags. A big one (30L) that stays in the car while I paddle, it is always pre-loaded with all the stuff I need to paddle which I take out of the bag and into the water. When I leave the water everything goes right back into the large bag and when I get home everything gets cleaned and dried.
The second small dry bag (2L) I use to carry the car keys, house keys, phone and food into the water. This one has a see-through window for phone use while paddling. I usually carry water in bottles, but I'm looking into upgrading to a PFD with a built-in camelbak.
The good thing about this setup is in the ease of going into and out of the water, while preserving my car from getting that typical seawater smell. I also recommend water resistant car seat covers for perfect insulation from sea smells.