Kayak Repair Advice Request

[Clan Cularius]

I've had nothing but trouble with this kayak since I bought it several years ago but I'd like to salvage it if I can. There are 6 scuppers. The 2 in the front cracked shortly after I got it. I tried to repair and it lasted a season. That was several years ago and it has been in storage since. I'm ready to have another go at it if I can get some advice.

The picture shows the worst of the two. Any pressure on the hull seems to put an inordinate amount of stress on these two scuppers, hence the crack. Any suggestions on how to go about repairing/reinforcing. Not looking for pretty just looking for float.



Clan

 

[staffman]

Epoxy or Kijiji

 

[Clan Cularius]

Kijiji? You mean sell it?

 

[staffman]

yep !

 

[Clan Cularius]

and the ad would read, "Kayak that can't be fixed"?

 

[OCDComputing]

Is that fibreglass or plastic? If plastic...google plastic welding..they can do some amazing things.

 

[Clan Cularius]

Plastic and I have some matching to work with. Everything I've found for plastic welding was for pretty straightforward cracks and not too helpful. The position on this one makes it more complicated. (I think.) I was hoping someone has had a similar problem and a successful repair.

 

[Dozer]

Ouch - can't offer any advice here other than rolls and rolls of duct tape :lol: Best of luck on the fix, looks like a pain

 

[dracokaos]

Can you get to it from under or inside? I was thinking maybe you can reinforce a patch from both sides. I've found the best way to stop a crack from travelling is to drill a hole at the end of the crack, I'm not sure if that will work for your case.


Also, and I am by no means an expert, but it looks like the problem may be due to the UV deteriating the plastic, making it brittle.

good luck

 

[klusownik]

Seems like there is a lot of weight being put on the scuppers. Do some plastic welding and then reinforce it from inside; you can do fiberglass cloth and resin, but the best solution would be foam blocks. Inset square foam blocks inside the hull esp around scuppers and use window foam insulation can to spay around to fit the curves of the hull.

 

[Clan Cularius]

I can get access through a nearby storage opening. Tight though. I don't know to what extent UV may have contributed after the fact (the kayak has been appropriately coated) but it certainly wasn't the cause. Happened too soon.

Can you get to it from under or inside?


Also, and I am by no means an expert, but it looks like the problem may be due to the UV deteriating the plastic, making it brittle.

good luck

 

[Still Living]

You could find a couple of plastic plugs that fit snugly in in the scupper holes to prevent the epoxy from getting in there, then get a auto fiberglass repair kit. Your going to need at least 3 layers of fiberglass sheets about 8"x8" on each side for strenght, precut each sheet and cut out a hole to slip over each plastic plug. Once its all dry, pull the plastic plugs out and dress out the fiberglass around the holes. Its going to look patched up after words but if its beauty your looking for, it may be time for a new one.