Anyone ever repair a hole or leak in their kayak with a plastic welder/

[docirv]

I am about to try it and was just looking for some advice..

[SteveM]

Yes I have and it didn't turn out well. Make sure you get the right filler material. I bought a cheap plastic welder from harbor freight, maybe 30 bucks, cant remember. I made the slight crack turn into a gapping hole.FML I used a wire screen and filled it in the best I could with the plastic rods. I couldn’t get the filler rod and kayak hot enough at the same time. It seems it might be helpful to have a extra set of hands to use the heat gun on the kayak and you use the welder. . No worries, I sealed it with jb weld and then coated it with marine epoxy. Leaks are like bars on my arms. Earning my Stripes!

[Memory Maker]

Doc ........ I have the Hobie Repair kit and I've repaired holes for a couple of guys here including myself. very easy to do ...... maybe you cqan bring it down with you when we go the CBBT next weekend. We can repair it and leave it at my house till we get back.

[Sidemadder]

Memory Maker - Doc ........ I have the Hobie Repair kit and I've repaired holes for a couple of guys here including myself. very easy to do ...... maybe you cqan bring it down with you when we go the CBBT next weekend. We can repair it and leave it at my house till we get back.

I'm interested in doing this and I've looked at a few welders. The 3013 Hobie summer catalog index does not show that they have color rod stock other than what comes with the welder. Looks like no more than two rods of a color. Can you get more Hobie colored rod stock if you want more of one color?

There are some instructive videos online.

[archeryrob]

I have done it with a propane torch or you can buy the welder. The torch works fine as long as you never stop moving it and are very careful. I hit a rock on a small stream square on came to a dead stop and almost got tossed from the kayak. I had a small cut in the bow.

I waved the torch, on low, back and forth to heat the area. Once hot I melted other plastic into the hole. Then heat it all back up together and a screw driver or putty knife to mush it together and melt it into one. The bow was pretty stiff, and some areas may need to be backed. Wadded paper is good on the inside and you can make a backing to support the hull shape and keep new plastic from running through. Yes some paper make stick to the plastic then done but water will dissolve most of what does not rip off.

Buy a 5 gallon bucket at Lowes or Home Depot. Cut the bottom off. Cut the bottom into strips. Drill holes and make gashes in the tube and practice welding them. Better to screw up on the bucket learning than ruin the kayak. Its' not terrible hard once you do a couple.

[SteveM]

Well, I've learned something today!

[Turtle135]

I fixed a sit inside that had too many encounters with the rocks in the Upper Potomac. Still going strong 3 years later. I bought this kit so if you want to borrow the welding iron from the kit just let me know and I can UPS it to you. It takes some the guess work out of the proper temperature to apply to the filler material.

http://www.urethanesupply.com/kcwelder.php

[Memory Maker]

I'm interested in doing this and I've looked at a few welders. The 3013 Hobie summer catalog index does not show that they have color rod stock other than what comes with the welder. Looks like no more than two rods of a color. Can you get more Hobie colored rod stock if you want more of one color?

There are some instructive videos online.

I think I have the rods to all of the Hobie colors. It's essentially a soldering iron with a flat head that has a hole in it. You feed the plastic through the hole and the iron melts it and you shove it in the crack/hole and smooth it with the iron ......... looks pretty close to the original

Come on over some time and will plug the holes

[mytmouse]

How big is the hole? I know Ocean Kayak sells excess plastic that you can use... they recommend using a heat gun for repairs. http://www.oceankayak.com/customer_s...epair/welding/

I have never done it, but it's another option. Other kayak vendors might have the same type of thing where you can get some plastic to match your yak's color.

[Sidemadder]

I think I have the rods to all of the Hobie colors. It's essentially a soldering iron with a flat head that has a hole in it. You feed the plastic through the hole and the iron melts it and you shove it in the crack/hole and smooth it with the iron ......... looks pretty close to the original

Come on over some time and will plug the holes

Thanks for the helpful offer. I'll keep it in mind. I only have minor corrections and not in a hurry.

[frettr00]

Duct tape + super glue fixes everything.

[DEkayakstriper]

I used the kc welder by urethane supply suggested by members of this forum and was pretty simple fix. I had a huge gash on the stern on my yak and have not had any issues since.