How-To: Keel Rebuild - Repair Holes Caused By Dragging Your Kayak

In this video, we are going to show you how to rebuild your keel if you have created a hole from dragging the back of the kayak across the ground. These holes can look pretty nasty, but with a few tools from the local hardware store and some extra plastic, you can easily complete the rebuild process in 1-2 hours on your own.
To start, there are going to be a few things you need:
- Sandpaper - 120, 220 and 320 grit (or similar grits)
- Cutters or Dikes
- A large & a small set of needle nose pliers
- Steel brush or drill with steel brush attachment
- Rasp & File
- Assorted sizes of Acrylic screwdrivers
- A long skinny metal probe (long flat-head screwdriver works)
- Heat-Gun
- Scrap Plastic
- Cup for water
Most of these items can be found fairly easily. If you need help sourcing some scrap plastic for your repair, contact one of our shops!
If you have any questions about your own kayak project, feel free to reach out to us!

[@rosairecordina9292]

🔥 I own a paddling business and have so many yaks that needed repair from being dragged... I've tried so many methods throughout the years and this is the first way that has actually worked! The twist w the acrylic screwdriver handle is the magic. Thanks!

[@hawkintelligence]

This is 100% the WORSE way to do this. It's actually really bad. A horrible idea.. do not do this. It will not hold that well. Also, it won't last..

[@kennethlindahl9206]

@@hawkintelligence you did it wrong...... it works great

[@marcusvaldes]

@@hawkintelligence Why wouldn't it? You are literally melting plastic into plastic. Have you got another video to point to that's better?

[@hawkintelligence]

@@marcusvaldes Inorganic Chmeistry... Polymer compounds. Learned it years ago.. Melting plastic on another piece of plastic, doens't bond anything. It just layers it. You need to have a bonding layer between them. Melting them together and pushing them together doesn't bond anything. It just layers it and covers the hole for a quick patch. but it won't last. When temp changes or bending or warping of the plastic happens. It will pop off.

[@BERTRAND85O]

@@hawkintelligencethat’s why mesh is usually used 👍🏻

[@codpug]

bro you are very brave using that wire wheel with no safety glasses. those small metal hairs do break of and launch to your face/eyes

[@zachmiller9175]

It's a cordless drill they only spin at like 2000rpm max, the only tool I've ever had shoot bristles with any real force was a 12,000 rpm grinder.

[@codpug]

@zach miller good for you safety chad

[@johnsiren3027]

When it comes to safety regardless of RPM I wear goggles. just saying Safety

[@jmoonies_racing2642]

@@codpugcan’t overdo safety … you only get one set of eyeballs …. I’m with you on this one .. when using tools use an abundance of caution

[@ShaftyChaves]

​@codpug he's just looking out for others. He's not policing anyone. It would be nice if more people were concerned with the safety of others and showing concern isn't a bad thing.

[@brosswel]

thanks for the help. Lowes bucket worked great for the material

[@ginolevino]

Great video! You remind me of my school shop teacher the way you explain the process and reasons why. I enjoyed watching very much!

[@RobSummers993]

I'll be honest, I'm not too sure I can pull this off, but you definitely make it look easy enough for me to try! I got a feeling I'll be seeing you guys soon lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@brandyerwin9281]

You’re a genius!! Thank you for your help

[@georgemorcom9700]

I’ll have to say, that’s about the best weld job I’ve watched on KZbin videos. Nice work! Thanks for sharing.

[@JoeBenoit-vy1lw]

This is the best "how to" video on any subject I've ever seen on KZbin. It was extremely detailed and well presented. Great job, Andy!

[@jaym5938]

Oh stop!

[@jailen461]

Really enjoyed this video. Glad you took your time and explained each step so well. Thank you so much.

[@barbarajansen4912]

I once had a small hole from dragging my kayak. I used my Blaze torch, long pliers and a white bottle cap. I held the cap over the hole with the pliers and used the torch to melt the plastic bottle cap and watched the liquid plastic drop into the hole. It sealed inside and outside. No smoothing with tools. I just waved the torch like a magic wand and it was smooth and good as new. It lasted five years. So, here I go again. My only advice is don't do it on a windy day, as I put the torch too close and made the hole bigger. Now I have to go back and place some tinfoil into it to use as a matrix and find a yellow piece of plastic to flow it into the hole. It takes about five minutes to get this done and lasts for years. If you're experienced with using a torch this works great. I used to be a dental technician and my Blaze torch was very useful!

[@punasurf4697]

Thank you so much for this video. I just pick up an old 2 man kayak today that needs lots of work. I've got some visitors coming that want to try out fishing out in the deep blue. Can't take them in my solo fishing rig. Going to be a fun project.

[@luizpfuetzenreiter1871]

Best kayak repair video

[@triciamcmillan9846]

Mate! One of the BEST videos! Same problem but with a polypropylene dinghy. Thanks to you I will be able to approach a repair with some possibility of success. I’m going to use polypropylene of course for the material but I’m also excited by another video I saw where a bridge of wire mesh is heat welded into the substrate to provide a platform to build on.

[@tinathrower284]

Well that captured my complete attention, not much has ever done that before.

[@custosdesign1053]

Thanks for making this! I'm so glad I found it & wish I would have when I bought my used kayak. My repairs are to fill the holes on the bottom where the seat was attached. This technique is perfect for what I need to do. Awesome stuff!

[@zorminster]

Thanks to this video - particularly in regards to using the screwdriver handle- I was able to make my first (Very minor) plastic repairs yesterday with confidence. Worked out great and appreciate the great video to help show how it can be done!

[@garybrewer5841]

Followed your procedure to fix a huge hole . Using the end of the screw drive worked perfectly

[@BobBohner4851]

Fantastic demo. I almost want to put a hole in my yak to fix it. :-)

[@ACKTVnetwork]

Thank you! Hope it was helpful!

[@markhunter6889]

I like that you threw out the estimate price, which I thought was very fair. and show us the secrets.. if you were close to me I would be bringing my two kayaks tomorrow..

[@spencerbowden5908]

You're a great teacher!

[@michelebreese5940]

Yep seriously. I got one close to my eye and I ware glasses. I love this video. Thank you much stay safe.

[@marknovetske4738]

Very nice 👍

[@markl2507]

Thanks you for sharing this process. I repaired my kayak yesterday using your methods.

[@JeagerTv]

This is awesome. Fantastic video 😎👍 It's clear that you've done this a few times lol.

[@jordanwilkinson7368]

This is immensely helpful. I have a repair on my bass tender 2 man boat that is going to need this level of reinforcement

[@compachuy4306]

Love that your glasses are on top of your hat instead of being on your eyes lol. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@FISHANE84]

Nice job Andy!

[@ACKTVnetwork]

Thanks!

[@Larry77777]

Great repair Andy! Thanks for sharing.

[@ACKTVnetwork]

You bet Thanks for watching!

[@verax218]

@@ACKTVnetwork where can you get scrap plastic? Have a link?

[@madise6272]

Hey thanks. This was the most helpful video!

[@flightographist]

Nice, I did the same repair in almost the same location to an easky sea kayak that received a prop strike, looks like new and I have a 2500 dollar kayak I paid 300 for.

[@TheTrobocop]

mighty fine repair, sir

[@kolt45andtwozigzags]

Thanks for the video man. Helped me out a lot!

[@maynardbp]

Love the scratch away trick👍 thx!

[@ACKTVnetwork]

No problem!

[@RandyZimmerman-pp5wj]

I am very impressed good job

[@tonybishop51]

True craftsman!

[@ACKTVnetwork]

Thanks! Andy really knows what he is doing with years of experience. Plan on seeing more repair videos from that guy coming soon!

[@andrewboyce7268]

I just had this happen... really glad to see this video

[@cassiechristian6821]

Nice, great info! Now I want to by one to fix and make a profit.

[@stevehogan8829]

perfect, thanks. This was a great hep. Much appreciated.

[@joseluisescuderovalverde5498]

Great repair I congratulate you for the good result

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

Great fix. Thank you for posting. I think that smearing superglue on the area of an undamaged keel that is most often damaged might be highly protective also. Sandpaper and clean first. Ever tried to sandpaper a blob of dried superglue? It creates a super tough coating.

[@georgeknerr]

Good job, gonna try the above on an 70-80psi sulfur aerator tank.

[@alberthabib4220]

Fantastic instructional video. thanks.

[@johnsiren3027]

Do you have a episode showing using this kayak after repairs.

[@dannyroberts5056]

Thanks for this video. This will help me to repair 3 used kayaks I just purchased. I paddle a cedar strip sea kayak I built myself. I never drag a boat not even a plastic one. None of the boats I bought new look like this even after 10 years of use. The four boats I just purchased were used by an outfitter. You can only imagine we're most of the damage is. Along the keel and the front end were people ran into obstacles. I will be able to restore and fix any problem these boats have. My Paluski Riptide I bought 4 years ago still looks brand new . I don't leave it in the sun when not in use. I also get in and out of it while it is floating. I do not run it up onto a gravel or rock shore line. These are the same techniques I use when paddling my cedar strip boat.

[@logotrikes]

Nice work dude. Now I know what to do....

[@mikey-ps9vq]

Thanks for the help !

[@aslidjoko8538]

Thanks that is help me more.......God love you

[@SundayViewFishing]

Dope video! Thanks for the detailed instructions!!! 🎣🎣🎣

[@whereswaldo5740]

Seems like prevention would be a good idea. I make a point to not drag our kayaks. But a strip of 1/8 inch aluminum 1 inch wide l attached to both bow and stern would be a good idea.

[@MattShepherdFishin]

Great video, so many people ask the question How can they fix a crack, or hole.

[@ACKTVnetwork]

Exactly! We see this all the time and can seem daunting for first timers. Hope this video helps get some people back on the water.

[@crawford323]

Outstanding

[@thiodorchalkias8906]

Nice job!!! Thanks for sharing!!! I'll like to make a suggestion ... when the kayak is NEW a suitable prepared metallic sheet (prefer stainless steel 316L) can be installed at the front (even to the rear) immersion ends of the boat... So this kind of damages will be avoided!!! Have good time every time!!! Best regards from Hellas (Greece)

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

Besides carrying the kayak, and using the cart as much as possible, I'm wondering what can be done to strengthen an as yet undamaged keel since some dragging is unavoidable.

[@dougwachs]

You can always weld a skid plate onto it as a preventative measure - then when the plate wears through, just fix it - original hull never compromised. I had a commercial friend do this on wear points with excellent success. It extended the life of his rental boats years. We have shallow creeks here that are fun to float.

[@chuckstyes3196]

hey, great video, but where can I get plastic for welding now since your stores are closed?

[@DRONIXAR]

Amazing, thanks

[@ACKTVnetwork]

Glad you liked it!

[@omardominguez3652]

Great video, thank you

[@paularuyffelaert5568]

Thank you!

[@JhonnyArancibia-ts1gl]

good video...

[@FishinYakker]

Thanks for the video. Very informative. All I would add, is to wear safety glasses when using the wire wheel. I’m forever getting stuff kicked up.

[@jakemccann3340]

Awesome Job Bro! Please Wear Safety Glasses next time while using a wire wheel! Thanx... CaptJake...

[@kabanchan5768]

love this ty

[@marcusvaldes]

Amazing video. I actually fixed my own boat pretty easily. Took an hour or two to figure it all out.

[@rodneymiller5926]

The boat material and the filler both need to be melted and swirled together to make a strong bond.

[@louiechidwick6034]

Hi mate, greetings from the UK, You did a great job of repairing that keel, but as your customer will be dragging it again soon, maybe he would benefit if you screwed some Stainless steel sheet metal to act as a 'skid plate' to that end of the keel to protect the plastic from further abrasion damage?................................Just a thought....................

[@Aussiem8e]

After repairing, I recommend putting some kydex on top.

[@royzengerle9274]

Great info videos. Thanks for your help. I am a 74 year old kayaker. I love the sport. I am having a hard time getting out of my kayak. Please give me some advise. Is there anything I can mount in my kayak that help me stand up so I can get out? Thanks

[@southernracing2468]

Maybe tie a rope to the very front to help pull your self forward and up

[@BlueCheezz]

You used the wrong plastic for this repair. Do you offer warranties on your work?

[@jillcampbell3510]

Reasonable price in my opinion.

[@Gta2O13]

How do you fix the Ram X plastic?

[@tripslaughter5101]

Wire wheel on a drill, good idea to quicken the job. But the wires can break off from time to time, so as a person who has lived with only one eye. I would advise you to wear safety glasses.😊

[@harrisdail9939]

How can I get some of the pieces of plastic from you for a sundolphin journey 10ss that is OD in color

[@hansemcito]

i could be wrong but i dont think those screw driver handles are made of acrylic but of an older material called cellulose acetate?

[@EricD.1]

Where do you get the pieces of repair plastic?

[@robstone370]

Great video buddy, but I cringed when you used the wire wheel without eye protection !

[@Alf-mg9wz]

I drag my boat, but I rap that end in a pair of old jeans. 🙂

[@brandontheblack]

I am going to be taking a kayak from a friend with drill holes in it. Something about having it replaced under warranty but instead of sending the "defective" one back my friend was asked to "destroy" it, so there are about 15 drill holes. Would you use the same method for these smaller holes?

[@TimothyCornett-l1b]

What if you patched and there is a slight leak/drip? Patch over or do over?

[@TimothyCornett-l1b]

What I meant was what if i filled the hole. Patch over or recreate the hole and refill?

[@PilzE.]

Hi, will this repair method work on a kayak made of LLDPE? Thank you.

[@rugerp9736]

Could anyone tell me where to get the plastic from

[@Snapshott1]

Great video. I too have a Tarpon 120. I do use a cart but sometimes drag the kayak a few feet and the keel also take some wear when loading on top of my car. The keel is still solid after 10 years but want to add some protection so I don't have this problem down the road. What do you recommend for additional protection on the keel?

[@zachmiller9175]

You could make and glue on a kydex guard, basically a second layer of thermoform plastic.

[@sarahkustra7759]

Andy. I have a duo question that you might be able to help me with, or point me in the right direction. My friend John passed away back in May, his family had given me his kayak which means the world to me. It’s a Precison Swifty deluxe 9.5 kayak with the little area up front to hold a few thing. I would like to memorialize his kayak by add his picture permanently to the kayak in that front area. I was thinking uv resin ( but worried it would yellow in the sun) or some sort or clear coat spray. Do you think this would work? Do you have any ideas or tips I could use to make this happen?? Thank you!

[@iwalkincircles2960]

Would it help to keep wet rags against the part you don't want to get hot? Like on each side of the repair?

[@raybrdjr]

where are you located for kayak repair?

[@pavelstrnad2231]

Hello, please, what about the temperature of heatgun?

[@richardjohnson4052]

Did I miss this? What temperature is your heat gun set for?

[@aduboi1534]

I can't find you to order plastic. Do you have a link?

[@marysimon8563]

Where do we get plastic like that. I have a Brooklyn Kayak needs a repair.

[@frogsnacks]

5 gallon pails is a good place, trash cans, laundry detergent jugs, old plastic lawn chairs, what you want is something HDPE (high density polyethylene) usually its stamped into the bottoms of things. It's very common you can find it almost everywhere.

[@RandyBills-f7q]

DUDE using a wire wheel without safety glasses bad stuff man

[@miccorockstar1]

will regret it one day, best not to find out why

[@timothyortiz2222]

2 people carrying a kayak a short distance is easiest to me. A two wheeled cart adds weight. For one person a carts easy from vehicle to a beach launch but not to haul with you to your island destination. Where dragging is necessary a short pull up beach.

[@timothyortiz2222]

A Drader handheld plastic welder is much more efficient. It welds a bead and patches without the heat gun. I'd imagine it's an expensive tool. This method is cheaper.

[@azdigbee]

What the hell is an ACK location ?

[@WaynJul]

I was at your shop years ago and I thought you used fiberglass for repairs.

[@friedscavlegs5109]

Each type of plastic has its own type of repair. The repair in this video works on HDPE but would not work on pvc.

[@debbiegaither4410]

FYI, most screwdriver handles are not acrylic, they are cellulose acetate butyrate.

[@jsnthurst1]

Where to get plastic like that, did you cannibalize an old kayak?

[@jhondoux84]

HDPE plastic i think, like milk jugs

[@jessewolf142]

Where are u located

[@T6Ber62]

Dude, I love the vid but PLEASE wear a mask. You're too good to breath in plastic dust.

[@fabiancarmona5406]

Use safety glasses with the wire wheel! 😬

[@yellowmoontonkawanative8920]

Would pvc work

[@lisaroosa6939]

Mine is a little weak at the keel

[@angertone213]

Keel breaks... fixes it... does not install keep guard..