Fibreglass kayak repair advice please

[Harvestman]

Hi guys & gals. I recently picked up a nice fibreglass kayak from a guy via freecycle. He said it needed a bit of work after a few scrapes, but I thought it was cheap at the price.

Anyway, on examination, the fibreglass is cracked in 4 places, only one of which is at all significant (i.e the shell bends if you press on it), but none are large, and there are no holes.

Purely as a test, I put some wide sticky tape over those areas, and took it for a quick spin on the canal near me.

Spin was the word, since I'm a novice kayak-ist (?) and it handled like a shopping trolley (mainly due to the inept pilot), but it was fun and it didn't leak. I defintely want to get out in it again.

So, I need to patch it up with a bit more than tape, so can anyone advise me on the best thing to use please? There seem to be a lot of good waterproof adhesives around that would probably do the job, and applying extra fibreglass seems overkill for such minor damage.

Any recommendations?

 

[Shewie]

I'm pretty sure you can buy fibreglass repair tape fairly cheap or maybe some kind of resin would do it.

 

[DavidJT]

I repaired a similar freebie whilst on holiday in Sweden last year. Just used appropriate 2 part epoxy filler. I just had "thin" patches though, no actual cracks. I'm no expert, but maybe you should layer on some fiberglass?
Have you searched or posted on SOTP (Song of the paddle?)

 

[Loenja]

two approaches:
the quick easy one thin some epoxy down and glue the fibres together again. simply apply like glue or varnish.
or sand it down a bit to remove some glass then strengthen as above and let it set. then apply glas cloth or mat and soak in epoxy. then set.
this should doo the trick unless its in a prominent position ie under bow/stern ar directly underneath boat
lonja

 

[Teepee]

If you have to buy sealant, I'd repair it properly. Proper sealant comes in at a tenner a tube, and silicone sealant is a no-no. Fibreglass and epoxy resin isnt too dificult to work with, and shouldn't take too long.

 

[Harvestman]

Thank you everyone. Now all I need is some dry weather and spare time to actually do the job. Neither seems readily available at the moment.

 

[Mike_B]

Check out the Almanac / DIY & Repairs page of the UK sea kayak guidebook here - http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/ - might also be helpful.

Mike.

 

[nenook]

where on your kayak is the hole/ crack? a simple fibre glass repair kit from halfords is about the best and most affordable option . hope this helps. as long as your patience holds you will be ok. where are you based ?as im a kayak and canoe coach and might be able to help you.

 

[Harvestman]

where on your kayak is the hole/ crack? a simple fibre glass repair kit from halfords is about the best and most affordable option . hope this helps. as long as your patience holds you will be ok. where are you based ?as im a kayak and canoe coach and might be able to help you.

Based in South Wales, near Pontypool. Cracks are distributed all over the canoe, but mainly at about 1/3 distance from either end.

 

[Bazzworx]

Before you patch the cracks it's best to drill a little hole at the end of each one, this will stop the crack spreading.

Ben