created a short video pushing on it

So I recently purchased a Northstar Northwind 17 BlackLite. Only used it a few times and I noticed there is a crack in the exterior resin coating. No idea how it happened, don't remember hitting anything and it wasn't in the spot we strap it down.

Thinking I should epoxy this area somehow. My only question is what epoxy should I use?

My initial research appears to be West Systems 105/207, however doesn't seem to be available in small quantities. Is there something equivalent available in small quantities for one time use?

Anyone know off hand what kind of resin is included with canoe repair kit such as the Northwest composite repair kit?

I also noticed a gouge in the interior kevlar on the foam core. Anything I should be wary about here with the foam for repairing it?

Yep, that's an impact crack. To repair you will need to clean it out with a utility knife, lay in epoxy and wet sand using progressively finer grit until you get the gloss finish back. Give Northwest Canoe a call. They've got a lot of experience with epoxy repairs and have epoxy on hand to sell. I've used their product in the past and it works great; I just can't remember the name. Mine came in cans though, not single-use.

Looks like some of the carbon tows have cracked but at least the Kevlar appears to be intact (based on the inside hull photo).

You’d probably only have to sand and repair with epoxy as said in the post above. Only issue is that spot will not take much to crack all the way through if it takes a hit again.

In the boating world that type of crack would get patched on the outside as well as the inside of the hull. Big repair if you’d want to maintain structural integrity.

To me, that doesn’t look too bad. I’d maybe seal the interior and exterior of the crack with a little epoxy and see house it does. You can always put a fiberglass patch on later if you need to. You can get some small West epoxy packets at West Marine. Might be a couple of bucks to fix it.

I'd contact Northstar before attempting any repair. They have really good advice on this type of thing..

I edited the first post with a closer photo of the inside, formatting must have been messed up before.

I can't tell if the carbon is actually cracked or if it just the epoxy. My amateur opinion is just epoxy.

Sent email with pictures to Northwest and Northstar for their input, will follow up by phone if needed.

In a previous life I've done fiberglass repair on race car bodies so the work itself isn't completely foreign and I'm not afraid to do it. Just want to make sure I have the correct materials. And if I can just do epoxy on it for now rather just do that. Also willing to get carbon and kevlar for the repairs.

Looks to me like the carbon is cracked as well. Push on the damage to see how much the sides of the fracture move independent of each other. If you decide on a repair with cloth I suggest fiberglass as it will be clear and less visible as well as much easier to sand.

I know it's sacrilege but use resin from the hardware store (Bondo) to repair my boats. There is no "chemical" bond between existing resin and the new that you apply- it's all dependent on roughing the surface enough for the new resin to adhere. My kevlar Advantage was purchased brand new but as a "salvage" after it got blown off a tall rack during a thunderstorm. I did the repairs with Bondo and glass and they've held up great. Bought (and repaired) that hull in 1986.

created a short video pushing on it

Still can't tell, but it looks like they move in unison.

krole: "created a short video pushing on it


Still can't tell, but it looks like they move in unison. "

Looks like you could get a small sheet of Mylar, fill the gap with epoxy, then place the Mylar over it while its drying. Then peel the Mylar off and it will look brand knew.

I vote for the mylar/epoxy repair. Make certain that the epoxied area is decently roughed up. If you want to strengthen the fracture apply a bit of glass on the inside of the hull so it extends beyond the fracture by 1.5-2" on all sides.

Banksiana: "...I know it's sacrilege but use resin from the hardware store (Bondo) to repair my boats..."

Sacrilege - Why so? Isn't that what they're made with in the first place? That's what I always use. But be sure it's surfacing resin so it hardens. The resin used for layups tends to stay a bit tacky.

Exchanged a few emails with Northstar, they said if both sides flex the same when pushed against (which in my few it appears so) it can just be left alone and don't need to worry.

I asked if they had a specific recommendation for epoxy or repair method when it came to that point but haven't heard back yet.

At this point I'll probably just small epoxy and release film on it to at least repair the part where epoxy is missing.

Edit: They said the normal composite repair kit that includes fiberglass is sufficient. Though if I really had to do a full repair I would probably do something with carbon regardless.

I've mucked up my carbon fiber/kevlar boat twice in 12 years. I took it back to the maker. Why?
It was a soft spot in the hull and cracked CF. I knew how to repair it but buying Peel Ply ( for keeping cut edges flat and neat) and Kevlar and scissors for Kevlar and gel coat and the resin and catalyst for fixing would have cost more than just taking it to the boat works for repair.

Layers of Kev were laid internally and resined into place . Peel Ply laid over it and allowed the resin to cure

Outside gel coat and lots of sanding to polish it up.. Its strong, no longer yields to pressure. And the repair invisible