Canoe & Kayak Repair Guide
Old Town Canoes and Kayaks are Built to Last
With the proper care and maintenance your boat should give you and your family years of enjoyment.
Though our Canoes and Kayaks are built to withstand years of use and abuse, mishaps can occur and your boat may at some point become damaged and need repair. In the event of a problem, we recommend you contact your local Old Town dealer for the appropriate repair kit or parts. Many of these same dealers may be able to repair the boat for you or give you assistance in getting started in the right direction. A listing of additional repair shops is also available by writing or calling the factory. Following is a basic overview of the recommended repair options available for Old Town products.
SINGLE LAYER, THREE LAYER AND SUPERLINEAR POLYETHYLENE WATERCRAFT REPAIR
DENTS: Many small dents in the hull will work themselves out with the heat of the sun. Large or deep dents may require heating with a hair dryer or light bulb. CAUTION: Do not over-heat. The surface should not become too hot to touch. Apply heat by alternating the heat source inside and outside. This will slowly warm the area. Pressure should be applied from inside to aid the material in returning to its shape. With severe dents exact original shape may not be obtainable.
DEEP GOUGES: Repair adhesive (part #01.1332.2300, old part #1332.2300). A 2-part epoxy putty to fill in gouges and cuts that do not go through the boat.
BREAKS/CUTS/PUNCTURES: Polyethylene/Royalex repair kit (part #01.1331.0641, old part #1331.0641). Contains a 2-part polyurethane resin system, nylon cloth, sand paper, brush, and instructions. Repairs of this nature normally require a patch both inside and outside of the hull. The patch will be applied very much like fiberglass, however this resin is superior in that it is very durable as well as flexible.
FINISHING: We recommend customers purchase an acrylic lacquer from a local automotive shop.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL POLYETHYLENE HULLS:
All polyethylene hulls need to be polarized prior to any attempted repair or bonding. No material will permanently bond to polyethylene as it is before polarizing. You must first be sure the area is roughened with sand paper and clean. To polarize you will need a hand-held propane torch. The torch will have a flame about 3 inches long. Inside will be a smaller, brighter blue flame. This smaller flame must contact the hull in the area to be bonded. Simply wave the flame across the hull like you were painting it with a small brush. This process does not involve melting, blackening, or even getting the surface hot. What is important is having the gases given off in the bright blue part of the flame oxidize the surface to be repaired. Do not touch the area with your bare hands after polarizing as oils from your skin will reverse the process.
ROYALEX® CANOE REPAIR
DENTS: Many small dents in the hull will work themselves out with the heat of the sun. Large or deep dents may require heating with a hair dryer or light bulb. CAUTION: Do not over-heat. The surface should not become too hot to touch. Apply heat by alternating the heat source inside and outside. This will slowly warm the area. Pressure should be applied from inside to aid the material in returning to its shape. With severe dents exact original shape may not be obtainable.
DEEP GOUGES: Repair adhesive (part #01.1332.2300, old part #1332.2300). A 2-part epoxy putty to fill in gouges and cuts that do not go through the boat.
BREAKS/CUTS/PUNCTURES: Polyethylene/Royalex repair kit (part #01.1331.0641, old part #1331.0641). Though this kit was originally developed for repairing Discovery canoes, it works equally well on our Royalex hulls.
*NOTE: Omit the polarization step needed for polyethylene. Using a torch on Royalex will melt the outside skin. Kit contains a 2-part polyurethane resin system, nylon cloth, sand paper, brush, and instructions. Repairs of this nature normally require a patch both inside and outside of the hull. The patch will be applied very much like fiberglass, however this resin is superior in that it is very durable as well as flexible.
FINISHING: We recommend customers purchase an acrylic lacquer from a local automotive shop. Use to cover any repairs. May also be used to cover areas where outer vinyl skin has been worn through to restore UV protection.
FIBERGLASS CANOE REPAIR
DEEP GOUGES: A gelcoat repair kit can be found online from various vendors that contains colored gelcoat, hardener, sandpaper, polishing compound, and instructions. Use to fill in gouges, chips, breaks in the gelcoat.
BREAKS/CUTS/PUNCTURES: A fiberglass repair kit can be found online from various vendors that contains polyester resin, hardener, fiberglass mat, fiberglass cloth, sandpaper, brush, and instructions. A fiberglass patch needs to be applied to regain strength of the hull.
FINISHING: A marine enamel spray is recommended to cover any repairs.
WOOD CANOE REPAIR
FOR ALL REPAIR NEEDS: Contact Jerry Stelmok at Island Falls Canoe (207) 564-7612.