Installing Kevlar Skid Plates on to a Royalex Canoe

How to video instructions on how to install Kevlar Skid Plates onto a 16ft Nova Craft Royalex Prospector Canoe. Also applied to any of the following Canoe types: Fiberglass, Kevlar, Carbon fiber, and poly type canoes.
Materials being used include Kevlar Felt and 2 part Epoxy Resin.
Approximate install time: 3.5 hours
Equipment in this video is available on Amazon:
Any purchases made thru Amazon through our links will help support our Canoehound Adventures Channel...
Kevlar Felt: amzn.to/30vJVso
Marine Grade Epoxy: amzn.to/2CRAJCZ
*** Please note that the epoxy above is what I use because it is a marine grade. The bottles supplied are more than enough to complete this task and you should have LOTS left over. Mix small amounts to use so you do not waste this product because it is quite expensive.
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#CanoehoundAdventures #HowtoInstallKevlarSkidPlates #KevlarCanoeSkidPlates #Canoe #CanoeRepair #CanoeHowTo #RoyalxCanoe #RedCanoe #CanoeInstallation #ProspectorCanoe #DIYCanoeRepair

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Update to this Video... This Video was shot in 2013 and as of January 2019, the skid plates that I installed are still holding strong with no signs of release or peeling. Just remember to do a good job on the sanding process to give the epoxy and kelvar felt the ability to bond to something rough... Enjoy the video and thanks for watching...

[@CLCinflorida]

I guess I need to look at the Date before I click the Video 😲

[@KirkHermary]

I'm a simple man, I see Kevlar and I click...haha joking this is a smart idea man. I actually have worked with Kevlar quite a bit over the years. Before I got too buggered up and had to stop doing construction I used Kevlar work gloves quite a bit. I've used Kevlar lined gloves and body quite extensively over the years I've done security, I've even made a few custom stab/slash proof vests. I bet this will extend the life of your canoes quite a bit. I see in your comment that as of January this year they're still holding strong, that's awesome man!

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Hi Kirk. yea I would not own a canoe without the kevlar skid plates... it just extends the live of the canoe and they are an investment for sure... Thanks for watching... Dennis

[@billflack6246]

Very helpful and well done. I was having difficulty visualizing the taping part of the process in my instructions. Now I’ve got it. Thank you for sharing.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Glad it helped Bill... it is not really a difficult project and with the ade of a coupe of your favorite beverages you will have it done in no time...Dennis

[@joelewis0686]

good video and spot on! I do mine a little different I have been patching boats now for 6 years. I work for a canoe rental in arkansas. all I do that's different is actually two extra steps I like to tint the boat with a torch before applying Kevlar felt,and I put wax paper over the whole patch and smooth out and push bubbles to edge when resin has sat for about hour or two I pull off then your left with a nice smooth finish. I patch usually 30 canoes a season. Arrowhead cabin and canoe

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Thanks for watching

[@CLCinflorida]

Canoehound, I can't believe I just watched 14:52 seconds video about Canoes, you know how I feel about Canoes after my Husband Flipped Me Both times I went with Him 😂... Have a Great Weekend...

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

See Crystal... you want to try it again... 3rd time is a charm... Dennis PS... thanks again for modding for me last Tuesday...

[@CLCinflorida]

@@CanoehoundAdventures What's that old saying, Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me Twice shame on me, JUST TRY TO FOOL ME A THIRD TIME, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU... or it goes something like that 😁😂🤣🤣🤣 It's Always a Joy to be there Canoehound... 😉

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

Hey Dennis, thanks for recommending this video to me. This looks like a fun and useful winter project for me to tackle once my new Prospector 15 comes in. Thank you sir!

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

No problem... Thanks for checking it out and have a blast with that canoe... Dennis

[@landonrudy6895]

Very nice step by step tutorial. I will be throwing some skid plates on my old town penobscot royalex this afternoon.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Landon Rudy have fun 😆

[@wdinarte]

great job, I have my first canoe and some of the first scratches on that area will take you instructions to do my work. Thanks for share.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Thanks for watching

[@mikesweeney8294]

You are a good teacher

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Thanks for watching

[@andrewonthego3081]

Hey just came over, seen you in explore the back country premier!, im going to put skid plates on my canoe and this video was very helpful!

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

thanks Andrew... That is my Nova Craft 5 or 6 years ago when it was new. That is an old video but it gets lots of views and the technique still works. Hope to see you back

[@AlanMcKay]

Thanks. I have the mate to that canoe only in forest green - have to do the same thing. Royalex sure scrapes up easily.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Thanks for watching

[@pacovie]

Merci !

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

very welcome

[@lise-anneleveille8507]

Hi! Thanks for the helpful video! Would appreciate advice. I need to put plates on my canoe and repaint it. What should I do first? Can you pain kevlar skid plates?

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Hi Lise... I would apply the skid plates before I paint the canoe. You can also paint the skid plates if you wish. If you apply the skid plates after you paint , you risk the paint peeling and thus the skid plates will peel with the paint. Hope this helps @Lise-Anne Léveillé

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

Nice job Dennis! Any signs of it wanting to peal off?

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Hi Marc... I installed these about 6 or 7 years ago and they are showing no signs of peeling at all. If you watch my Nebakawasi trip videos you will see the skid plates still attached...It all comes down to the preparation by sanding well so the epoxy has a good surface to grab on to. I also had skid plates installed on my Swift Canoe right from the factory so the bow does not wear through. Thanks for watching one of my first videos...Dennis

[@cdaoust3840]

Nova Crafts video recommends rough side up, whereas you recommend rough side down. Nova Craft Skid Plate Installation

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Thanks for watching

[@agirquaz]

Hey Dennis, nice video! Just wondering if you can comment on what temperature is ideal for the epoxy to set? I live in and area that is consistently over 100 degrees in the summer.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

work fast

[@CLCinflorida]

You must Live in Florida too 😂

[@jpweigt]

Nice job applying those plates. That's definitely the cleanest I've ever seen lines on skid plates. I live in the south agirquaz, and my advice is get up super early and get the glue down before it gets too warm. Also, do it in the shade. I watched a friend apply these one summer morning about 1000 in the sun and we almost couldn't get the glue on fast enough before it set up. And then we were worried that the exothermic reaction would melt the boat. It didn't, but we were real concerned!

[@micstica]

Your royalex canoe looks new. Good on you. Would you use that epoxy with fiberglass tape or materal to repair frost cracks in royalex or royalite? To date Ive seen gflex 650 as an option but the suggestion is to open the crack to about the thickness of a jigsaw blade, taper both sides so they meet in the middle so the epoxy meets in the middle. Im having a problem with this concept, any suggestions from anyone?

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Hello Micstica... I wish I could answer that question for you. I would suggest you contact NovaCcraft or another manufacturer to see what they would suggest... Thanks for reaching out.

[@bobhong2175]

Hello, if the skid pad still hold on to the canoe? I heard that it was popped out because epoxy does not bind well tp royalex. A few people used g-flex epoxy are more successful.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Hi Bob. The video you watched was done in 2013 and I still have the same canoe. The skid plates have shown no signs of peeling at all and this canoe has bee through a lot. I believe the most important step in installing these kevlar strips is the sanding process. You really want to create a rough surface for the epoxy and kevlar felt to grab on to and that is why it is still as good as new.. Thanks for watching the video and good luck if you are going to install your own... it's not really very difficult. Please subscribe Dennis

[@samuelhaywood1770]

Can anyone tell me the name of the epoxy used? I'm trying to do this but it seems as if the epoxy is very expensive

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

unfortunately all epoxy's are expensive

[@guillaume1271]

Hello How do you remove a kevlar skid if you need to replace it ? I have a T-formex canoe.

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

If I had to remove a kevlar skid plate I would use a Grinder with a sanding pad but be very careful to not use too much pressure or go to deep... exercise caution and good luck

[@williwarwill6843]

Dennis - do you still have the bike?

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

Nope... sold the bike a couple of years ago... Insurance rates were far too costly for the amount I was actually riding... Insurance = license to steal in my opinion.

[@scottwesling4110]

Nova craft says ruff side up

[@CanoehoundAdventures]

You are correct.