How to find AND fix leaks in your kayak! Tips and tricks to Finding and Fixing Leaks fast!

[@la5150hi-lophoto]

clever idea on finding holes! Thanks.

[@LovingIdaho]

My repairs were done with a propane torch , milk jugs and a putty knife years ago. I would also turn my kayak over every year and take out any scratches with propane torch . I have been very lucky with my feelfree lure . No leaks that I have noticed on it in 7 years . But , I am going to try your system on my lure just to check it . I am replacing deck pad on it next week , so perfect time to check things while I have deck foam off . If i find anything , I am already tore down to the plexiglass and easy to pull screws holding the plexiglass deck out if need be .,

[@yakcrew_Fl]

Thanks mine has a leak in the same spot!

[@jaimeogrady6843]

Thanks Kyle! Its a nice tutorial

[@jaimeogrady6843]

Have you tried resin and fiberglass? Those are great tools but I've never used it to repair a plastic kayak so I would hesitate to recommend it since I'm not sure it's appropiate for this job.

[@catchinwithkyle5567]

@@jaimeogrady6843 Thanks Jamie! I have not. You are right, they are not appropriate for the task for a couple reasons. They won't bind well to the HDPE and it isn't as resilient. Not to mention it can be messy.

[@jaimeogrady6843]

@@catchinwithkyle5567 thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@mrblueskynm3968]

Nice DIY patch job! How long did it take for the first leak to show up? Is the original kayak plastic pretty thick?

[@catchinwithkyle5567]

It depends. I have had this kayak several years and beached on a lot of ramps and dragged it over chunk rock. With better care it may take years before needing a patch. The plastic on the keel was actually thickened for the Lure a few years ago (after I purchased mine).

[@mrblueskynm3968]

@@catchinwithkyle5567 Thanks for the feedback. I sure hope the keel plastic was also thickened on the new Moken as that is what I just bought. However, thanks to you I know how to fix any leaks that may show up. Tight lines!

[@feesh00]

Can i fix hdpe kayak with fiberglass? Does they glue together? Thank you

[@catchinwithkyle5567]

I have heard it being done but it won't bond the same way that plastic welding with HDPE does, leaving you vulnerable to failure and taking on water.

[@bobrich1950]

What model year is this kayak? Seems like most of the videos i find about cracks involve Feel Free boats. Anyone know why ? Makes me nervous because i was seriously thinking of getting one. Thanks.

[@catchinwithkyle5567]

Purchased in 2014. I have it out about twice a week year round. Every kayak has weak points where they are prone to cracking. People having their kayaks shipped directly to them is one major reason there have been a lot of issues. If you can get a kayak from a dealer, you will be much better off.

[@amschroed89]

Yeah I just purchased a feel free boat last week. I have been spending the rest of this week researching how to fix the damage. Boat was in the water 30 mins before filling with water. I wouldn’t buy one again at this point and I would avoid polyethylene hulls.

[@bobrich1950]

@@amschroed89 wow!! That's messed up, to say the least! Sorry for your trouble. Did you buy it new? From a dealer or was it shipped direct? Also, have you reached out to either the dealer or Feel Free. I was getting close to reaching a decision on a Moken 10 V2, but now i don't know. Like i pointed out in my previous post, i've stumbled on more of these situations with these than i would have thought. Really makes me hesitant to buy one

[@amschroed89]

@@bobrich1950 I bought from a dealer. I am sure it was my fault tightening down too hard during transportation. This is the first kayak I have owned so it was ignorance on my part. I didn’t realize the consequences. feel free is sending plastic welding rods and maybe some other things to help the fix but we’ll see how that goes. I have already attempted plastic welding twice and because of where it is located it keeps popping the weld whenever I move the kayak around. At the moment, like I said before I’d avoid polyethylene, or if you do get one push on the hull and see how much give it has. Firm is better because if you do get a hole or crack you have more options. Not many things out there can maintain watertight integrity and flex from what I have found so far. To say it’s been frustrating is an understatement.

[@bobrich1950]

@@amschroed89 Good luck finding a yak these days that isn't made from polyethylene. Seems they all are, at least in my research. One product i've not seen anyone try in dealing with these cracks, is Flex Seal. Have seen it advertised quite a bit. Of course they show it doing amazing things. Down side would be if it too fails, then you have a different material on your boat to deal with. Good luck sir. I hope it works out for you. Let us know if you come up with a solution that works. Thanks

[@dapaul6599]

Too long buddy….

[@catchinwithkyle5567]

Oh I agree, next time I need to do a repair, I will try to create a more brief overview or break it into separate videos. Thanks for the feeeback.