Old browser warning

Site look funky?  Your browser is so old standards-based layouts and styling confuse it.  Consider updating.  One excellent option is Mozilla Firefox, versions of which are available for Linux, Mac and Windows.

General Whitewater Safety Discussion : American Whitewater Forums
 
Goto Thread: PreviousNext
Goto: Forum ListMessage ListNew TopicSearchLog In
What is better than duct tape for fixing a kayak?
Posted by: ericnnies (IP Logged)
Date: February 27, 2008 03:01AM

Yo,
I am looking for info on repair tape, and specifically for the best tape to use to repair a cracked kayak. I've heard rumors about various tapes for different purposes: linoleum floor tape, truck tarp tape, swimming pool repair tape, RV repair tape.... Does anyone have any first-hand experience with anything like this?

Best (i.e., worst) places I've seen or had broken boats: Futaleufu, Ecuador, halfway down SF Merced, Day 3 on the Grand Canyon, put-in on Generation Gap (at the bottom of the hill).

Cheers,
Eric Nies, AW safety chair.

Re: What is better than duct tape for fixing a kayak?
Posted by: ejdecker (IP Logged)
Date: February 28, 2008 04:20AM

I use this in my profession.

It will stick anything together. You just have to make sure you have a dry surface. Wear gloves as the oil from your skin can cause problems. It is easy to cary, the dry factor is the only problem.

[www.equilox.com]

Re: What is better than duct tape for fixing a kayak?
Posted by: JimJanney (IP Logged)
Date: May 19, 2008 03:43AM

Vinyl Mastic is the stuff you want.

[www.foxelectricsupply.com]

I broke my Jefe in BC the night before flying in for an overnighter and was given a patch of this stuff for the foot long crack. The same boat has been going on the patches of this stuff for the last 9 months. The only problem is that if you want to weld the crack properly later, the stuff's a bitch to get off (takes hours).

Apply by cutting to proper length, heating slightly over the fire, and placing over crack on inside of the boat.

Re: What is better than duct tape for fixing a kayak?
Posted by: riverrat406 (IP Logged)
Date: June 17, 2008 10:12PM

Eric,
Gorilla Tape (they also make the glue) apply on the inside of the boat. The trick like anything is to get the area really dry before applying it. For this try drying with a towl than using rubbing alchool. I have never fixed a boat this way however a paddling buddy of mine used it on the futa last year.

Re: What is better than duct tape for fixing a kayak?
Posted by: Massey (IP Logged)
Date: July 22, 2008 01:33AM

I have used wonder putty with much success. It is a 2 part epoxy putty, comes in a tube about the size of a roll of quarters, you can apply wet, made by loctite you can buy it for about 5 bucks @ wal-mart in the plumbing section. Bonds like a mofo! Put some in your creeking kit. It is the bomb!



Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
This forum powered by Phorum.