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Epoxy?
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=37368		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Dan Morera [ Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Epoxy?
Hi guys, need a little advice, first time taking my kayak on the water and I already ding it. while carrying it to the water from the car I kit a sheet of metal and it took a small slice of the kayak, what worries me is how deep it went, I could not fine the piece it took I can't melt it to fill it up.

So here is the thing I would like to fill the hole with some epoxy as a preventive measure just in case that side get's hit by something. I'm in Costa Rica so I don't think I can find the other materials to fill this up. I could order maybe from amazon or ack what I need to fix it, but I wouldn't know what to look for.

Any tips or advice is appreciated.
Thanks
Dan

Picstures of it:
Image
Image
Image
Author:  Dan Morera [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Forgot to mention that I was thinking about filling it up with one of those epoxy mixes, bad idea?
Author:  Chet3 [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 7:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
I do not believe that epoxy will adhere to the plastic kayak. I am not sure what to use but maybe others will reply.

I am not sure that anything needs to be done at all.

Good luck with the repair.
Author:  Tom Kirkman [ Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Few epoxies will properly "wet" and stick to plastic. And, your little gouge is nothing to worry about. You're going to get a lot more just like that one before you've used it much. It's nothing to worry about.

If you did ever punch through, the fix is done with a heat gun (looks like a soldering gun almost) and some plastic cords. Hobie sells this repair kit in their accessory catalog.
Author:  Dan Morera [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
I just got a bit spooked as I thought it was too deep. How thick is the hull of these things?
Author:  Tom Kirkman [ Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
They're pretty stout. You've have to gouge that gouge, again and again, to punch a hole there.

I wish I had a photo of the underside of any of my kayaks - they look like somebody worked them over with 40 grit sandpaper and carving knives.
Author:  Trinomite [ Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
There is a repair kit available. I strongly suggest you do not use Epoxy as that is what may be required to fill a fiberglass boat but not these plastic puppies.

http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_asse ... ring11.pdf

Go to Page 33 of 52 of the Hobie Kayak Accessories Catalogue and get the
KC Welder Kit with Hobie Color Rod stock. It is basically a soldering Iron with a specialized tip to feed plastic welding sticks to do repairs.

Considering where you are, you could make this into quite a nice business repairing Hobie Kayaks.

Remember, NO Epoxy. (Epoxy is based on a chem reaction from 2 chemicals that harden (and create a lot of heat as they cure. You figure out the rest, friend) :wink:

Be well
Fred
Author:  Paul67 [ Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
I would keep it as is. A bit of a 1st sail story. it wont hurt the kayak
Author:  Trinomite [ Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Paul67 wrote:
I would keep it as is. A bit of a 1st sail story. it wont hurt the kayak


I beg to differ. The resale value of this boat is subject to any damage that it may have suffered by the seller (no matter how interesting the story is).

This man lives in Costa Rica (near Panama, in Central America).

He asked for a way to repair his costly investment. The only dealer there has a stranglehold on any Hobie part being shipped there as the same person owns all the Hobie dealerships there.

Put yourself in his place and still suggest to him to just 'live with it' if it happened to your own dear vessel...

(If you can't live in another man's shoes, kindly don't suggest on how to make them fit your feet, please)

Trinomite
Author:  Roadrunner [ Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Paul67 wrote:
I would keep it as is.
I agree. It shouldn't be a problem. There are a couple of industrial epoxies you could use, but they are expensive and not easy to work with. You could use PE welding rod, but it usually ends up making a messy glob of plastic unless you're skilled at it. 8)
Author:  PeteS [ Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Trinomite's suggestion is probably the best, since it is also what Hobie recommends. However, West Systems does have a product which will also provide a solution.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/repairing- ... lex-epoxy/

Somewhere, I have seen a demo video in which they cut a kayak in half and repair it with this stuff.
Author:  Dan Morera [ Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
I think I'll get the KC welder, and maybe get a few extra green sticks I saw at amazon just in case. I don't feel comfortable with a dent that big (IMHO). But then again this is my first kayak. So I'm probably just being anal.

Thanks guys for your help , really appreciate it.

Dan
Author:  PeteS [ Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Found the Gflex video. Suggest not trying some of their methods of product testing.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/g-flex-torture-demo/

Harbor Freight has some plastic repair stuff.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... astic+weld
Author:  Paul67 [ Sun Aug 14, 2011 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Trinomite wrote:
Paul67 wrote:
I would keep it as is. A bit of a 1st sail story. it wont hurt the kayak


I beg to differ. The resale value of this boat is subject to any damage that it may have suffered by the seller (no matter how interesting the story is).

This man lives in Costa Rica (near Panama, in Central America).

He asked for a way to repair his costly investment. The only dealer there has a stranglehold on any Hobie part being shipped there as the same person owns all the Hobie dealerships there.

Put yourself in his place and still suggest to him to just 'live with it' if it happened to your own dear vessel...

(If you can't live in another man's shoes, kindly don't suggest on how to make them fit your feet, please)

Trinomite


Who crawled up your butt :shock:
If it was me, I would do as I suggested
Author:  Mary Skater [ Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Epoxy?
Trinomite wrote:
Go to Page 33 of 52 of the Hobie Kayak Accessories Catalogue and get the KC Welder Kit with Hobie Color Rod stock. It is basically a soldering Iron with a specialized tip to feed plastic welding sticks to do repairs.

I expect that works at American standard voltage (120V ?). For those of us in other countries (like me, UK with standard 240V) would it work with a simple adapter? Or would I need to find a local polythene welding kit?

Mary
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