Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
- Darkarcher159
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:03 am
Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
On my last trip to Matagorda I developed a leak (a bad leak!!) in my Native Manta Ray kayak. Upon inspection I found 2 stress cracks (one about 1 1/2 half inches long and the other about 2 inches long) both are right next to the scupper holes in the middle of the kayak under the seat. I was thinking about fiberglassing the cracks to add strength, but for what I have been reading fiberglass and plastic don't mix. I was thinking just welding plastic would not be strong enough to keep the cracks from forming again.
Any ideas on how to fix these cracks?
Any ideas on how to fix these cracks?
- kickingback
- TKF 5000 Club
- Posts: 5177
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:24 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
First check your warranty and do contact the maker to ask if they have a particular warranty for that area having issues. You may get it repaired for free.
If no go on free, then YouTube is your friend. Lots of "welding" vids on fixing kayaks.
Good luck!
If no go on free, then YouTube is your friend. Lots of "welding" vids on fixing kayaks.
Good luck!
- Darkarcher159
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:03 am
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
I got the kayak used and I checked the website of the manufacturer and no such luck. I am afraid that the "plastic welding" I have seen on youtube will not keep the cracks from forming again. Long run I am getting a new kayak, but I need this one to last a little bit longer. Just looking for ideas.
- Neumie
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4012
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:10 pm
- Location: SA, Hallettsville, or Rockport
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
What model year is the kayak?
I've heard of other manta rays developing cracks at the scuppers in the seat pan in the past. First thing I would do is drill stop the cracks to prevent them from getting longer. Plastic welding around scuppers is tricky. If you attempt it you can get some pieces of plastic from the inside lips of hatches so the color matches. Since there's access behind the seat I would silicone in closed cell foam blocks under the seat pan for support, too.
I've heard of other manta rays developing cracks at the scuppers in the seat pan in the past. First thing I would do is drill stop the cracks to prevent them from getting longer. Plastic welding around scuppers is tricky. If you attempt it you can get some pieces of plastic from the inside lips of hatches so the color matches. Since there's access behind the seat I would silicone in closed cell foam blocks under the seat pan for support, too.
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
As suggested, drill a hole at the end of each crack to prevent further cracking. Slather in 3M Marine Sealant 5200 to fill the cracks. It's a polyurethane polymer so it adheres to plastic well, stays flexible and watertight, and is designed to form a permanent bond or seal below the waterline. It's used on through-hull fittings.
- kickingback
- TKF 5000 Club
- Posts: 5177
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:24 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
There are videos on people using wire mesh to weld over the cracks to give it more support. Look around YouTube. Do a thorough search with words that may be used to weld plastic of different kinds.Darkarcher159 wrote:I got the kayak used and I checked the website of the manufacturer and no such luck. I am afraid that the "plastic welding" I have seen on youtube will not keep the cracks from forming again. Long run I am getting a new kayak, but I need this one to last a little bit longer. Just looking for ideas.
-
- Posts: 476
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:21 am
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
I welded my Heritage redfish around the scupper holes in the seat pan and they are holding really well.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weller-Electri ... it/3402984
and plastic from a lowes bucket
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastic ... et/3083565
I used this from Lowes to weld ithttps://www.lowes.com/pd/Weller-Electri ... it/3402984
and plastic from a lowes bucket
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Encore-Plastic ... et/3083565
-
- Posts: 476
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:21 am
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
and as Neumie said, make sure to drill holes at the ends of the cracks so they don't get any longer
-
- Posts: 476
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:21 am
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
and I said seat pan but they are actually in the foot well near the seat pan
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
How is your redfish blue? Lol.
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:28 pm
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:28 pm
Re: Stress cracks on bottom of kayak - best way to repair?
Yeah that’s a good to-do also to prevent the cracks from forming again. I’ve had to do the same thing on my KC on the top half.TG05 wrote:As suggested, drill a hole at the end of each crack to prevent further cracking. Slather in 3M Marine Sealant 5200 to fill the cracks. It's a polyurethane polymer so it adheres to plastic well, stays flexible and watertight, and is designed to form a permanent bond or seal below the waterline. It's used on through-hull fittings.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk