This message has had HTML content edited out of it.
Well I've been on the look out for a couple years now for a used 17' range kevlar that didn't involve driving to Mn from MI to get. Just last week I finally came across a barely used 05 Spirit II that I would say is as like new as it gets for an 05, not even a scratch on either bow or stern keel. Couple scuffs on the bottom and sides but it looks like they are more from storage than anything. Needless to say I'm stoked!

For someone coming from a Royalex boat, what are things I need to do to keep this canoe in top shape other than staying off the rocks. I see some use keel guards while others say its not necessary? I also see some comments here of people varnishing their kevlar's, is this a semi annual thing or something that's done as needed? Does the boat benefit from being wiped down with anything after a trip, for example use a UV protectant after each trip on my Royalex?

Nice boat. Kevlar boats with aluminum trim don't require much maintenance. Don't store it long term in direct sunlight. If it has any wood trim you might oil or varnish it if it looks dry but if it's been stored indoors it probably doesn't need anything. Snug up the screws on the seats and thwarts, they don't have to be super tight but they typically loosen up a little bit over a period of years. Many people use 303 aerospace protectant for UV protection. Just spray it on the interior and exterior and wipe it off with a rag. 2 or 3 times a year is more than enough...my canoes might only get it once a year. 303 will make the surfaces slippery. I hate skid plates because they add weight, reduce paddling efficiency, sometimes make noise, and are ugly. But it depends where you paddle...if you are always on shallow rocky rivers with sharp rocks then they may be essential. But in any case if you are avoiding rocks you can skip them and always add them later if you start to chew up the ends of your boat.

Sounds easy enough, I have inside storage, I just need to get another rack built to add it to the collection. Thanks for the tips

justpaddlin: "Nice boat. Kevlar boats with aluminum trim don't require much maintenance. Don't store it long term in direct sunlight. If it has any wood trim you might oil or varnish it if it looks dry but if it's been stored indoors it probably doesn't need anything. Snug up the screws on the seats and thwarts, they don't have to be super tight but they typically loosen up a little bit over a period of years. Many people use 303 aerospace protectant for UV protection. Just spray it on the interior and exterior and wipe it off with a rag. 2 or 3 times a year is more than enough...my canoes might only get it once a year. 303 will make the surfaces slippery. I hate skid plates because they add weight, reduce paddling efficiency, sometimes make noise, and are ugly. But it depends where you paddle...if you are always on shallow rocky rivers with sharp rocks then they may be essential. But in any case if you are avoiding rocks you can skip them and always add them later if you start to chew up the ends of your boat."

Our Spirit II Kevlar has been used in the Quetico and Canadian Shield country for 20 years. Every inch of the bottom is scratched. Scratches are signs of use. This year I finally coated it with varnish to reduce the showing of white scratches on the green canoe. It looks ok but was not needed. We have wood trim so it is oiled yearly. We use 303 once a year. It was once stolen and left floating in the ocean and the shifting water broke both gunnels. They were glued back and screws also used. Last year a wind picked the canoe up and blew it into a tree. Gunnell broke and it was also glued and screwed again. The gelcoat has been chipped and cracked off in places on the bow and stern. I just use auto bondo to fix and paint the bondo areas. Don't want bow or stern plates as they don't look right and reduce speed. The seats have been replaced and I moved the bow seat back a few inches for more balance due to weight. The canoe is stored inside except for two to three months when it is in Canada. We are now 75 and 74 years old and it looks like the canoe will last our lives. Due to the virus we will not be able to go to the Quetico this year so the canoe will not get much use. On local South Georgia and North Fla rivers we use our aluminum and royalex canoes. Good luck and use the canoe without worry. Just patch as needed.

AtwaterGA: "Our Spirit II Kevlar has been used in the Quetico and Canadian Shield country for 20 years. Every inch of the bottom is scratched. Scratches are signs of use. This year I finally coated it with varnish to reduce the showing of white scratches on the green canoe. It looks ok but was not needed. We have wood trim so it is oiled yearly. We use 303 once a year. It was once stolen and left floating in the ocean and the shifting water broke both gunnels. They were glued back and screws also used. Last year a wind picked the canoe up and blew it into a tree. Gunnell broke and it was also glued and screwed again. The gelcoat has been chipped and cracked off in places on the bow and stern. I just use auto bondo to fix and paint the bondo areas. Don't want bow or stern plates as they don't look right and reduce speed. The seats have been replaced and I moved the bow seat back a few inches for more balance due to weight. The canoe is stored inside except for two to three months when it is in Canada. We are now 75 and 74 years old and it looks like the canoe will last our lives. Due to the virus we will not be able to go to the Quetico this year so the canoe will not get much use. On local South Georgia and North Fla rivers we use our aluminum and royalex canoes. Good luck and use the canoe without worry. Just patch as needed."

Wow that is impressive! I guess if all these rental kevlars can make it through a season of abuse then mine should be fine for a couple trips a season.
I do know that even with trying to avoid the rocks that my Royalex boat had way more scratches after one season than this 15yo Spirit II which lead to my concern about maintenance...haha

Congrats on a nice canoe. Side-loading and wet-footing will help prevent some common damage. Have fun!

As most mentioned it's mostly no maintenance needed. Except some UV spray protection like 303, a few times a season. Anything else can wait till needed far as stem and or keel protection.

butthead