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Thread: To Repair or...

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Farmersville,TX,. U.S.
    Posts
    197

    Default To Repair or...

    Here is the problem. My old yak has become pretty scarred up from all the dragging about by me and previous owners. Some of the scrapes and scratches are pretty deep and might be in need of repair. I'm sure that even if I got the yak back in pristine condition it wouldn't stay that way for long. Any how, I've got the urge to try and smooth the old bottom up a bit. Might even help the glide if it were to have a bit less drag from all the dings/scratches.
    I have one of the rotomolded yaks and don't know what to use for repairs. I have worked with fiberglass a bit, but don't think this is the same stuff????
    Anybody on here done any of this type of work? What is entailed and how costly are the materials likely to be? Is this something that can be done with some type of gelcoat, or??

    Anxiously waiting, Rodgerole

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    913 Jackson Lake Rd, Chatsworth, Ga. 30705 (423) 438-1060
    Posts
    2,619

    Default

    I would contact a boat repair place and ask them what the recommended procedure is. Depending on what kind of yak you have, it might be cheaper just to replace it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Wondervu, CO
    Posts
    737

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    Repairs to plastic roto-molded boats are done with a thermo plastic welding rig. This is a device that uses a special hot air gun and filler rods of compatible plastic material, very similar to a wire feed arc welder.

    http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=57654184

    Fiberglass will NOT stick to the plastic, so a gel coat type repair is not possible.

    A local rafting/kayak shop would have the right equiptment. If the scratches are only cosmetic (ie. they don't leak!) I wouldn't be too concerned. The advantage of the plastic boats is they can take a lot of abuse w/o leaks, the down side is that nothing sticks to them.

    I have heard of some folks using rough sand paper to smooth out gouges and then using a propane torch or high temp heat gun to singe off the resulting hairs.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Farmersville,TX,. U.S.
    Posts
    197

    Default

    Sounds like a very expensive repair..not the sort of thing to do in my spare time in my shop.

    Rodger

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Reading, PA
    Posts
    117

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    What about marine putty? I've used it on those plastic bass tender boats. it sticks extremely well and can be sanded. I got it at wally world. It's the type where you cut off what need and then roll it in your hand to mix the two components.

    Now I don't know how many scratches you're talking about and how long they are but this should work for a few deep gouges. It works very well on holes. I've used it to fill in holes on my transom from old transducers.

    If the damage is primarily down the center of the boat you may also want to consider glueing on a keel saver. That will cover and protect any weak spots.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    North Florida
    Posts
    5

    Default

    It is a very easy fix if you have a heat gun like the kind used for paint removal, a torch also works. You can get the repair materials from the manufacturer, or if you have any scrap from mounting things to your boat. Just heat op the area to be repaired some and then melt the repair rod/scrap piece into the ding. You can sand it down and flash over the area to make smooth if you want. I did it to a perception kayak and the company even sent me the repair rods free.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Farmersville,TX,. U.S.
    Posts
    197

    Default

    Just found a site that is touting Clear Marine Goop for repairing rotomolded boats. Sounds almost to good to be true, but at least not expensive.

    http://www.ozarkcanoe.com/CanoeRepai...epartment.html

    You may have to cut and paste the link. My tiny URL maker isn't working

    Another person mentioned a West Marine product called G-flex epoxy. It has been reported to do a good job.
    Some of the kayakers I've talked to have simply said rotomolded boats can't be repaired, but others claim to have repaired them.
    Guess it is about time to bite the bullet and try something.
    thanks for the information.

    RodgerO.

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