need advice fixing kayaks

S

starcrafttom

Active member
So I have two old town loon kayaks. The adjustable foot pegs were to far forward on susans. Or here legs are two short, your choose. So I drilled new bolt holes and moved the foot pegs back 9 inchs.

Now I have four small 3/8 holes in the hull of the poly kayaks. I have though to just put bolts and nuts in the holes but two of them are behind the foot pegs now. I was thinking of epoxy but not sure if it will hold to the poly.

So any ideas or should I just duct tap it?
 
Tom,

There are plastic welders, and the OT poly would weld easy. Been a long time but I used to do it with a tiny torch and the polyethylene rod.

Epoxy might work.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Been a while for me also but call the manufacturer with hull, model numbers. Even within the same company, some poly can be welded , some can't.
 
I'm just glad you decided to tackle the kayak side of the problem and were not seeking advice on how to patch up Susan's newly extended legs. :wink:
 
funny

Here is a kit
http://store.oldtowncanoe.com/products/ ... lex_Repair

Touch up the surface of your polyethylene or Royalex boat. Kit includes: repair material, adhesive and finishing solution, wood stir stick, 2" paint brush, sandpaper and complete instructions.

f you need help finding the repair item you are looking for you can ask a nearby Old Town dealer or contact Old Town customer service at (800) 343-1555 or feedback@oldtowncanoe.com. Detailed instructions for a variety of Old Town Canoe and Kayak accessories are available, please visit our Downloads page.
http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/support/
 
Epoxy won't stick to the polyethylene. Good luck making a welded patch look nice.

"I have though to just put bolts and nuts in the holes but two of them are behind the foot pegs now."

Are you saying two of the holes can't be plugged with bolts?
Would a carrige bolt fit if that is the case?
China_carriage_bolt2011771010579.jpgcarriage_bolt.jpg
 

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No I am saying that I cant get a nut on the back of the bolt, ......Oh I could put the nut on the out side????? It will look funny but I can try it.

thanks for the link to the kit.
 
How about a rivet. It could be flush enough for clearance? I have always used some nice clean stainless hardware or plastic plug glued in place. If these were holes for foot pedals they may not even be below water line and so what if a plastic kayak leaks a few drops now and again. You will drag more water in with your wet feet. And rot is not a concern.

plug example

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=31795
 
I was just at West Marine at lunch and noticed they have a plastic kayak repair kit, much like the one linked above except made by West Systems for around $32. Didn't look at it too closely, but my thought was for that price I'd rather just use a bolt personally, for a plastic boat.
 
Chester":7c19er87 said:
Epoxy won't stick to the polyethylene. Good luck making a welded patch look nice.
Click to expand...

Have you met Susan? If she is there, no one will be looking at the patch, or the boat, for that matter! :thup

Charliel
 
The West Marine kit contains "G Flex" which is what I would suggest for the Canoe repair. Rough up the inside--I probably would use a small round of glass cloth and the G Flex. I have epoxied some poly water tanks. Heat treat, rough up, use cloth and go for it.

Also the welding works.
 
I've often wondered if p-tex would work the stuff they use on the bottom of skis. Just light it on fire and drip the molten plastic on to the hole let it cool and add some more. Clean it up with a file or sand paper. Might even work with polyethylene tubing. Would be cheap add worth a try. We used to use the plastic rings on a six pack.
 
Aurelia, great idea. went done to home depot and picked some up. Not threaded and not metal but should do the job. Used super glue to keep them in. Should be good and most important, cheap
IMAG0548.sized.jpg

IMAG0549.sized.jpg
 
I would try duck tape on the outside. Then fill from the inside with RTV and let cure. Remove tape. Blue RTV would color match.
 
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