How to patch an old plastic canoe

[Roger]

I would give you the recipe,if I wasn't limited to 1 finger typing right now(as oppossed to 2 finger typing as usual) dale

Have your nurse take dictation!

How's the shoulder/discomfort/recovery coming?

[arfish]

My brother has a canoe that is punctured on its side. Is it best to just cut out a square around the puncture and patch it? What kind of fabric is best for patching?
Any other suggestions?

[canoe]

Here is what I would do. Start with a grinder and grind all the edges inside and out smooth, place duct tape on the inside of the canoe fairly tight, then use GOOP, in several thin layers, letting each layer dry befor putting in the next layer. Once you get the hole filled in and the Goop is dry, remove the duct tape, and use dryer sheets that have been run through the dryer(not necessarily with clothes). From then I would layer up, 1 layer at a time, The dryer sheets inside and out using a cheap 2 part epoxy from Lowe's or someplace similar(20 min set seems to work pretty well) Go slow and be patient, although I've used this same method to repair a boat over nite at the Gualley, using dry wall tape instead of dryer sheets, and a hair dryer. Paddled the UG the next morniing. dale

[tsmethe]

This is really good advice. Thanks. I would have never thought of using dryer sheets. I think my tears are more from the flexing of the bottom due to lack of structural support. I wonder if the fiberglass would just break again if it is too rigid. But maybe if it is strong enough it won't flex.

[Dave Thomas]

I'm tellin' ya, you won't be disappointed with G-Flex. However if you really want to use used dryer sheets, instead of using the thickened G-Flex 655 you could use the thinner G-Flex 650. The multiple layers as dale described will not be necessary. I would only use a couple when utilizing G-Flex. Multiple layers of G-Flex will get costly, heavy and become overkill. I would be glad to work on your boat at my shop in Fort Smith. Along with building canoes for Mohawk, I also install custom outfitting and repair all kinds of damage to canoes and kayaks. Feel free to drop me an email at dthomas@mohawkcanoes.com and we'll discuss your repair, further.

[cj5752]

Dave,
Where can we buy G-Flex?