Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Kevlar canoe repair tips ughhhhhh
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HighnDry |
I've used it on my boats and I liked the results. There are videos to walk you through the process. |
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cowdoc |
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WHendrix |
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Banksiana |
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sedges |
Fiberglass on the inside, 4 or 6 ounce cloth. Just resin on the outside. If you feel you need cloth on the outside there is a 2 ounce cloth that works good. I have even used a 3/4 ounce on the outside of a repair. |
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GopherAdventure |
Model94: "So provide support and stiffening from the inside, makes sense. Why not kevlar though? Curious why Glass. 1. Glass is a lot easier to work with (easier to cut, wet out and apply). 2. Glass will give a better finish and create a more seamless appearance. 3. A couple of pieces of fiberglass will be just as strong as a Kevlar piece. 4. It will sand nicely. If the hull Is soft and flexy I would start with fiberglass patches on the inside first and lightly sand the outside and apply some fresh resin there. That should take care of it. |
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2AirIsHuman |
Model94: "Is it possible to simply apply epoxy to these areas under release cloth, or will I need to put down a layer of cloth? Hello Model94 I have repaired canoes and other boats with both Fiberglass and Kevlar. I pretty much keep epoxy and kevlar and fiberglass in my basement waiting for the next project. Kevlar does wick water to a greater degree than fiberglass and when it has been oilcanned like that it loses some of the rigidity since the epoxy has lost its strength. So yes as posted upthread you do want to use some cloth over the repairs to regain the strength of the original composite, and you do want to get the area sealed before it gets wet. You are going to have to sand before you apply a repair and that can be problematic over kevlar. It's going to tend to fur up and make a mess. Don't try to sand through that, just sand down to the point where it starts to get furry and call it good enough. It doesn't matter much whether you use kevlar or glass. Glass is easier to sand down at the edges and blend in. You will want to apply the cloth and wet it out with epoxy. Ideally you would then wait until the epoxy approaches the gel point and put on another coat of epoxy to fill the low areas in the cloth. That minimizes sanding. After a full cure you will want to sand. You then have a choice of applying filler if you want to even out any low spots for cosmetic reasons. I use a microballoon additive for the epoxy to make filler. Then sand again, repeat filler and sanding as necessary to get it as fair as you want. The microballoons and other additives are all opaque and so if you are trying to maintain the skimcoat appearance you will have to use plain epoxy which is nearly impossible to sand. Then paint. Epoxy isn't UV resistant so you have to paint it or at least put on clear varnish. I use Interlux Perfection (color) or Perfection Plus (clear) which wear like iron and are easy to apply but they are expensive and toxic. It isn't necessary to prime over the epoxy as long as you remove amine blush per the directions on the paint or the epoxy. |
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Model94 |
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ppine |
If it paddles okay and you can press on the damaged areas and they feel like the undamaged hull, some light sanding of the cloth and some varnish to resist UV. If you want it stronger you can add more glass. |
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airmorse |
Model94: "Well. State Farm Insurance will not cover this. The canoe "must be inside a garage or other enclosure" for it to be covered. Basically, protected from any risk of damage, for them to cover damage. I'm steaming a little right now. " I dumped State Farm Years ago. Erie insurance now. Better coverage and much more reasonable rates. I've had two claims and never had a rate increase. And my canoes are covered. Heck all my utilities are covered. Typically utilities are a homeowners responsibility. Sorry about your canoe. And agree with what others have said about fiberglass much easier to work with. Good luck!!! |
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Model94 |
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Model94 |
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tarnkt |
Have you put it in the water since the incident? If the hull doesn’t deform I would leave it alone as long as I could. If it does I would epoxy in a double layer patch of Kevlar and fiberglass. I’m certainly no expert and my experience is limited to patching up one outfitter abused canoe. Looking forward to hearing other ideas. Good luck! |
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Model94 |
schweady: "Ugh is right. Insurance? Yes, but still ... it was in super good condition. |
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schweady |
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RT |
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mirth |
When I restored my Northstar I got materials from Sweet Composites in Vermont, and now I probably have a lifetime supply of kevlar and s-glass. |
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analyzer |
Model94: "Well. State Farm Insurance will not cover this. The canoe "must be inside a garage or other enclosure" for it to be covered. Basically, protected from any risk of damage, for them to cover damage. I'm steaming a little right now. " Wow. Good to know. Would they have covered it if it was stolen? That's just bs. When there is a hail storm,insurance companies will cover marks in the fence, and patio furniture. how is that different? |
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GeoFisher |
quark2222: "I have Country Companies homeowner insurance, and added my Prism to it as an additional named item. Costs me $18 per year. It is my understanding that it cover damage/destruction, whether it flew off the top of my vehicle, was stolen, or something pretty bad happened to it, e.g. tree falling on it. I do store mine inside a garage though. A standard homeowners generally won't cover this.......but a rider specifically purchased to cover that canoe would. I'd bitch about this to my agent.........especially IF you though you were covered. Later, Geo |
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Model94 |
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sns |
RT: "While this site (and the suggestions you find here) are great, you might want to just email the manufacturer and tell them what happened and show them the pics. More than likely they will be more than happy to provide suggestions on repair. I did it with my Wenonah when I refinished it and they were very helpful." This is the best advice of all... |
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quark2222 |
I should probably check to confirm the above. It may be that you have to have told the insurance company that you just bought an expensive item, e.g. $2,000 canoe, $5,000 guitar, etc., and have it listed on the policy, for which they will charge a small annual amount. Tomster |
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Model94 |
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Model94 |
thanks. |
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jhb8426 |
sns: "This is the best advice of all..." Possibly, but the comments above from experienced people are totally valid. |
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jhb8426 |
Model94: "Why not kevlar though? Curious why Glass. " Glass is much easier to work with and gives good results. Wets out clear. Don't need kevlar for a stiffening patch. |