How To Repair Cracked Fiberglass Canoe

When you use a canoe, in that location'southward very trivial fabric separating you lot from open water. That'southward why even the smallest ding or scissure tin can enhance alarms. But repairing a fiberglass canoe can be much simpler than you think—particularly if yous're dealing with an consequence of a clean crack. Although the typical repair process requires the affected surface area "getting worse before it gets ameliorate," there'south no reason you lot can't handle some home repairs to get your canoe set up for more than activity. Here'due south what you'll demand to know when it comes to fiberglass canoe repair.

Proper Canoe Repair Inspection

It starts with diagnosis. Give your canoe a in one case-over to fully inspect the impairment. Don't be afraid to get up close to it, either. The goal hither is to place whatsoever spots you might have missed. Pull the canoe out of the water and expect around the affected area, scrutinizing it for whatever boosted holes or leaks that you might not take initially noticed.

Some other cardinal expanse to diagnose? Whether the extent of the damage goes completely through the fiberglass. Trails.com recommends cutting out fiberglass around the afflicted area when it is damaged to this extent, only if information technology isn't—you may be able to become away without this step.

Treat the Surrounding Area

Get rid of excess fiberglass for serious fiberglass canoe repairs. You'll and then be able to begin dealing with the edges of the open fiberglass. That includes sanding and feathering. "Feathering" the edges of the fiberglass minimizes the "lap joints," which helps create a solid integration between whatsoever new fiberglass and the existing fiberglass.

Fill the Fiberglass

Wrap plastic wrap around a piece of cardboard—large enough to fill the pigsty—and make sure that in that location isn't any wrinkling or dimpling in the wrap. This creates a "depth" for the hole that you'll then use to fill up with fiberglass. Begin past cutting fresh fiberglass layers at progressively larger sizes in the shape of the hole—Trails.com recommends 5 layers for most canoes.

At this point, you should utilize an epoxy. Mix information technology according to the instructions on the label and recollect that in one case y'all mix this epoxy, its effective time is relatively short, maybe up to xxx minutes. Working quickly but carefully, cover the fiberglass layers with epoxy and lay each in, smallest piece kickoff.

The final piece of fiberglass should be large enough to cover the afflicted area by more than an inch on every side. Apply it, along with the epoxy, and await for the area to dry out. Remove your cardboard piece.

Dealing with the Gel Glaze

One time dry out, you lot're now set up to work on the gel coat. Remove the gel coat in the affected surface area—and perhaps up to around 2" around it. Sanding and feathering the glaze, patch the entire area with another cut-out piece of fiberglass that will fit this entire area, two" larger than the repair itself. Sand both the inside and outside of the affected area. Cover with gel glaze and permit to set.

Sealing and Caulking Your Canoe

If you but need a pocket-size fiberglass canoe repair, y'all may simply seal or caulk areas of your canoe to ensure it remains h2o-tight and ready for action. We recommend y'all visit our Caulks & Sealants page to purchase the specific ones yous need. For example, Life-Calk sealant creates a cure that you can then sand and pigment, giving your entire canoe a consistent look fifty-fifty after repairs.

Want more than ways to go along your canoe in top shape? Browse through all the handy boating products bachelor here at BoatLIFE.

Source: https://www.boatlife.com/boatlife-blog/fiberglass-canoe-repair-guide/

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