Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Repairing carbon canoe
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krole |
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? |
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unshavenman |
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krole |
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. |
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yellowcanoe |
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 |
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GearJunkie |
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. |
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amhacker22 |
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jhb8426 |
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krole |
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. |
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krole |
Still can't tell, but it looks like they move in unison. |
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GearJunkie |
krole: "created a short video pushing on it 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. |
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Banksiana |
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Banksiana |
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. |
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jhb8426 |
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. |