North Shore Atlantic RM.. 7 years old, use it literally 5 days a week for inshore fishing. Have a prob from dragging it and wear just past skeg… worn through red plastic working on white. Next is hole. Still no hole. Tried duct tape patches etc but those are all short term fixes. Appreciate any advice from someone who has successful experience – how can i reenforce this before i get a leak? Thanks
Posted by TavNote
6 Comments
Get some kydex and heat it up to form it around that spot. Then attach with some kind of adhesive
Use a proper keel guard not duct tape
There’s keel guard material that is a very thick rubber/ plastic that could give you more time before it wears through. There is also a kayak cart, so you roll it rather than drag it to your destination
https://www.amazon.com/Gator-Patch-GP912-Fiberglass-Reinforced/dp/B01BGQAC5E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_pp_maf_3?crid=3JAI8XJFEGC4Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rT1eCJi1tmA721hr0FT9krCV8JUtvbD36BcpEH83dKjzG-bhkRp4urew05qTJS-BA4Gp9MsJjuc3kYbBDsDkC934Tm_Exn6E6MjFb8d02FwwBux4gWyC_i0iXpvcyU6VnuNibi2BWJNnrhP7K1E1dmdYQTSRWFB4ZjdASFZFIcBsOa3lXL7nvONz5FemASxVogQpRVQZ48Bi81vdvGyW8Q.nr6kZvq6y8ZgvzLVSIE4VBJntrLbCbF65506Mqez3aU&dib_tag=se&keywords=gator+patch+kayak+repair&qid=1744809643&sprefix=kayak+gator+%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1
I got my kayak for free with a hole already worn in. This held up great for 2 years using it during the warmer months 3-5 days a week. It wears down from dragging but you can overlap multiple layers once the patch cures.
Make a guard and attach it with adhesive. It’s easy to do and tools are minimal.
https://youtu.be/dpZqc_9NQuw?si=uorKHV5Tsqmxy580
After you repair it. Get some wheels to help move your yak, stop dragging it. My buddy used to do the same thing, he actually started sinking during the middle of a float. Scary.