How To Fix A Crack in a Kayak [Plastic Welding]

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Most kayaks don't carry a lifetime warranty on the hull, unless your Old Town, so if your kayak cracks it's up to you to repair it. Plastic welding a crack or hole in your kayak can easily be done with the right tools. You can even reinforce the area around the crack with wire mesh to increase its strength. In this video I walk you through a difficult weld around the load bearing area below my seat on a Hobie Oasis.
Plastic welder used in this video: amzn.to/3ghTgIO

[@dannysworld582]

I have a good size Crack on the bottom of my kayak. Thank you so much for this video. I've had my lifetime sit on top kayak for 10 years now and just not ready to give up on it.

[@nm2795]

I’m a single mom and we love kayaking! Well my nephew cracked his kayak. I tried the jb marine wield putty stuff and didn’t work. This seems like it would work well. So I’m definitely trying this tomorrow. Gonna go buy some mesh and a plastic welder as well. Gotta be ready for our fishing trips ❤. Thanks again so much for sharing

[@jailen461]

Very impressive. I'll own one (a plastic welder) by the end of this day. Thank you. Very informative.

[@Jonathan-wo6kf]

Just recently found your channel but have literally watched all of your videos. You are always so clear and concise. Thank you for making such awesome videos! I hope you get many more subscribers in the near future as you deserve them.

[@c4chris177]

Thanks much for the cohesive instructions! Too broke for hobbies so I bought a really old heritage redfish with a couple cracks similar to this one on top of the scupper holes near the seat though and a welder now I'll be good to go for only 220, without this video I was at a loss thank you!

[@terp53]

Great instructional video 👍🏼. Thanks

[@andrewlm5677]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful

[@newyorkbasshunter3552]

Thank you very well explained video 📹 😀 👍 just saved me a few bucks of getting my yak patch up

[@river86012]

Great Video...new subscriber.

[@BombproofCraftsman]

Thanks for the tips. I’ve got a hobie PA that was riding on a trailer & involved in a fender bender. Hopefully I can straighten it back out & fill the cracks.

[@spiltmilt]

Good luck! I sold this kayak and the patch is still holding up after a few years

[@danm1319]

Thanks man

[@morganghetti]

Truly ridiculous how many cracked Hobie's you see considering their price.

[@thiodorchalkias8906]

Thin and wick material...

[@dovybar]

Nice! Thank you. I'm gonna try doing that with the hot gun

[@kayakdream9864]

Acetone would remove the tape residue and any other impurities that could affect the repair.

[@pdxfisher1]

That was another great video. I only ever plugged a drill hole in a kayak (as easy as possible). I can't imagine a tougher spot to on a kayak to fix a crack than the one you tackled. I have watched a few easy repairs but what you did was over the top! I had one question if you don't mind. Would it be helpful to support underneath (if possible) while doing the weld to sort of close the crack? Probably not possible where you were working, and maybe not necessary, but I would love to hear your opinion.

[@spiltmilt]

I tried shoving some foam/cardboard up underneath but didn't seem to make much difference. I do think it would help.

[@pdxfisher1]

@@spiltmilt Thanks!

[@patrickspehnkouch2345]

@@spiltmilt has your repair held up through now? i have a small crack in my hobie near the scupper, on the topside of the tankwell. just wanted to ask about longevity.

[@slacktide_angler]

I'm thinking of reinforcing that area with some fiberglass on my Revo

[@spiltmilt]

Not a bad idea. A friend of mine just had his crack halfway across the seat well.

[@nuancedliars112]

Have a children's slide that is cracked at the top where it is screwed down at the very top with machine screws. How might I repair the small areas that have cracked near the bolts. This is not in the holes where the bolts are but rather near the bolts, thanks!

[@dovybar]

What kind of plastic Rod should I buy? ABS, PVC, PP, PE?

[@jacobhornberger4613]

How has that weld held up after 2 years ?

[@LovingIdaho]

I used to use a propane torch and milk jugs to repair crack in the bottom of my hull . You had to be careful and watch the glossy look to happen as you heated it up .

[@charliepiland3285]

I assume the mesh is stainless…but even with that, shouldn’t it a,l be completely embedded within the plastic repair media so as to eliminate any chance of swell/tarnish/rust. Stainless isn’t truly impervious to staining , especially in a saltwater environment.

[@wcsa3311]

Please go there to buy this kind of soldering iron

[@BENJAMIN-zi4gv]

Where do you get the mesh. Is that stainless mesh?

[@spiltmilt]

The mesh came with the kit but can be ordered separately. Yes it's stainless

[@vulcanez]

Do you store your kayaks outside ?

[@spiltmilt]

Only my Oasis since we only use it a dozen times a year. Even then I store it on its side out of sunlight

[@tokay999]

Where did you get that welder ? For plastic ?

[@spiltmilt]

Link in the bio

[@davidcrowson4745]

Say no to crack😀

[@mikeoneill81]

I had no idea there was plastic welding. Welp, I assume Hobie isn’t going to replace my kayak when they can just weld it

[@TexasBarnRats]

So, did the repair hold up?

[@spiltmilt]

For two years until I sold it

[@TexasBarnRats]

Awesome...thanks for the reply!@@spiltmilt

[@wattsdronewilltravel3881]

Old school welding tip… If it’s now worth the time to clean it, it’s not worth the time to weld it.

[@spiltmilt]

That is very unhelpful thank you.