Care and Repair

General Care and Repair Tips


Rotomolded Kayaks Care

Our kayaks are made of high-density superlinear polyethylene, which is virtually maintenance free. A minimal amount of care in storage and transporting will help the kayak maintain a like-new condition for many years.

Polyethylene will become more flexible when in warm conditions such as a hot, sunny day. It is possible for a kayak strapped tightly to a roof rack to temporarily deform at the weight bearing points. Use a rigid bar sport rack in addition to a "kayak cradle" to disperse the weights.


Cleaning

Usually, a quick rinse of fresh water is all that is necessary to keep your hull clean and functioning in good order. This is very important after paddling in salt water, or if your boat is outfitted with a rudder system or skeg. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the skeg, rudder, rudder cables, and footbraces with fresh water to remove salt residue.

Be careful when loading and unloading your kayak. Superficial scratches may occur, but can be removed or reduced by use of a marine boat polish designed for polyethylene hulls. Sanding or use of an abrasive rubbing compound is not recommended.

To keep your kayak shining and minimise the long-term degradation caused by UV exposure, use an ultraviolet protectant.

Warning: Avoid dragging your kayak across the ground to prolong its life and maintain its look and performance. Use two people using the carrying handles to transport the boat.


Basic Repair Techniques

Many people wonder "Can I fix a dent in my kayak?"

Occasionally kayaks of all types will develop indentations in their hulls - these indentations are sometimes referred to as "oil canning", because they tend to pop in and pop out under pressure - similar to an oil can. Typically these indentations are due to improper storage or transport. Things like storing a boat flat on its hull or tying it on a car rack so that another boat or the rack itself pushes against the hull invite such indentations.

To remove a dent, set the boat in the direct HOT sun for a couple of hours with the dented area exposed. This process should be allowed to proceed for at least two hours. When the hull heats up, it usually reforms itself, but you may have to get creative with some weights or braces inside the boat to push the dents back out. Another method is to use your hands to push from the sides of the indentation to allow the center of the dent to pop back into shape. In the absence of HOT sunlight, another way to remove a dent is to use a heat gun, hair dryer or HOT water to heat the dented area.

Be careful to only heat the plastic to a soft state without burning or melting it. This will allow you to push the dent out and the hull should retain its original shape. The above methods can also be applied to dents in the side or chine of the kayak. These are often noticed after the boat is removed from vertical transport on a roof rack.

To prevent such dents in the future, be sure to store your boat either vertically, or on its side - never flat on the hull - and to be mindful of the hull during transportation.

For more involved or larger areas of damage, please contact your local dealer or our customer service department for proper repair instructions.