Kayak Care And Maintenance - The 5 Step Process

[@joescarpadventures]

Having just bought my first entry-level kayak, I am leaning heavily on your great channel for tips, techniques, and hints. Thanks for providing this gold mine of useful and necessary information!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I really appreciate that! I'll work even harder!

[@myadventureoutdoors]

I guess these are good tips if you are economically disadvantaged. I only use a kayak one season and then donate it to charity. I just donated my Hobie Outback to the Victoria Secret Homeless Shelter and they are doing a bikini car wash/raffle for my boat the next hot sunny day we get. It's my way of giving back.

[@Saltloony]

Donate me some subs :)

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Let everyone know the schedule!

[@philod902]

I wanted to reply sooner, but your gesture brought tears to my eyes that fogged my vision . You are a philanthropic icon. We should all strive to equal your magnanimity-ness. I salute you, sir.

[@rapidsplash9339]

Great ! It looks extremely professional! Sustain the helpful work!

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

Great tips Steve! I have a couple ideas that might make for a very helpful DIY video. A DIY venting tool, (or even better), a recompression or descending rig like the SeaQualizer, weighted milk crate, or net to get fish with barotrauma down quickly. This drastically improves mortality rates with fish caught in depths over 40'. You'd be a hero for that video....literally saving thousands upon thousands of fish with the number of viewers you have. Would love to see your version of those tools!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I agree that would be a great topic. I do not fish in the ocean... just inshore in shallow water, so there is some research to do.

[@AlanHowellphotovideo]

@@KayakhacksFishing , here's a good concise resource on recompression... www.ryanmoodyfishing.com/releasing-fish-with-barotrauma/?.com&PSMWQRT07gM&

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks

[@retnav92]

I only had my rig on the water a few times this past season. I'm not on salt/brackish water, which eliminates worries of major corrosion occuring. I usually do a fresh water hosing out in the sun, let it dry, then check for loose screws, rivets, etc. Then wipe the entire hull (top & bottom) with a paddlesports cleaner/UV protectant (can't recall brand at moment. With hardly any time on the water this year, I haven't done any end-of-season maintenance/upkeep. To be honest, I spent most of my free time (early mornings) at the local outdoor gun range with some new "toys", and the other time at the grandson's football practice/games.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I'm with you! The range is one of my winter activities. I have a subcaliber device for my pistol so I can use .22 rounds as I practice breathing and trigger management.

[@retnav92]

@@KayakhacksFishing 👍The range has been a nice diversion/break from fishing. We use an outdoor range, so cold weather excursions will be few and far-between, at least for me....but thinking about going this morning, as it's warmer today. :)

[@johngeesey2424]

Need to know this info for future use. Thanks.

[@ratherbfishing455]

Another great video! I use Simple Green to wash my kayak. It smells good.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Great choice. I had forgotten about that option.

[@JohnKlopp]

Awesome! Thanks for putting this together. 👍

[@Saltloony]

Great tips Steve. I would suggest applying some keel guard. That will save you some time and protect your expensive kayak.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I put that on my old kayak. The downside is you can only apply it twice (Gator Guard). After that, I guess you are toast.

[@Saltloony]

@@KayakhacksFishing keelez is a product I have been using. You can apply that multiple times.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I need to look at it. Thanks!

[@floydaltonmiller]

Now would be a good time to put the kayak in a pool and practice your castnet throw.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! The pool temp is only 50 degrees.. brrr

[@brianwalker2484]

I still fish out of mine in the cold months 😂

[@jshirks]

I was gonna say, "who puts their boat away:)"

[@charlieboutin3341]

Now’s when I fish 😂🎣. It was too hot most of the summer here in central Tx. 100s and upper 90s. It’s 70 today 75 tomorrow, a couple of 60 days then Mondays 80! Just caught 3 bass flyfishing this morning, have to retrieve slow though. Great fixing and storage tips! If I ever put it away. Love your videos. Thanks a lot. God Bless

[@ratherbfishing455]

We have had great weather this last week. One day it was 85°.

[@jaydevenport7927]

Love your videos. A lot of those things, you wouldn't think to do. Thanks for the insight.

[@joycedimaggio8345]

Thanks for the repair tips.

[@brookmiller1986]

Thanks so much I was just about to wax my new fishing kayak.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Glad I could help!

[@stewartmainville303]

Hi Steve, I can fish in the winter, but have to drill holes to get a lure to the fish. The kayak is in an unheated garage. Everything is stripped off and she looks pretty forlorn. Except for the leading edge of the bow the hull looks pretty good. Gorilla Tape. I’d seen a vid where a guy used his wife’s iron to smooth out the burs, but my heat gun has an attachment, like a small putty knife, I can also use. I just feel I’d rather not sand away my ride. Haha!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

The heat gun should work!

[@stargazingmoontalker213]

I am new to kayaking and curious how to get rid of existing spiders inside a kayak a friend was gracious enough to lend me and how to prevent them in the future. Oh...and how on earth do you get all the water out of the inside of the kayak too?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Spiders? Maybe get one of those room sprays and squirt it briefly inside the hull and then put the can down and move away until it finishes discharging? Take all appropriate safety measures! Your kayak might have a drain plug at the front or the back on top. Remove it and turn it over. If there is no plug, your only choice is to prop it up to get the water to one end and sponge it out.

[@c4chris177]

I got an old fishing kayak I was going to use 303 to help protect the old plastic a bit but will that really deter fish? If so I'm not sure I should.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I have not had an issue with it.

[@billjones72]

Just purchased the Old Town Topwater 120 PDL. My question as far as winterizing the kayak. Do you cover the tracks with tape no and throughout the season with mild tape, ie painters tape to keep wasps/bees from building a nest and/or laying eggs and covering up the holes. I know Duct tape can’t be used as it is leaves a sticky residue after peeling it off.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I had never thought of that. I am stumped!

[@andrewsmith941]

I am glad you suggested the tape I have to clean mine out all the time from dirt daubers

[@Arty_left]

When was this video shot? Looks pretty warm there to me 🤔

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! I recorded it in early to mid November on different days. The weather was going through a transition, but the water temperature had already dropped into the 50s.

[@jimking2299]

I wish I could have done all that, but winter arrived so abruptly all I could do was drag my yak up the hill, lock it to a tree and tarp it. It was covered in snow the next day.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Ouch

[@ranmangolf]

I have a small 1 inch crack on the side of my Jackson Tupelo keel. Should I buy a heat gun or a plastic welder? Do I need to drill a hole all the way through the kayak at then end of tear or would drilling a small dimple work okay?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I do not have experience with the heat gun version of a plastic welder - so cannot comment there. Using the heat/screwdriver method is good for a smal hole, but I would recomment repairing the crack properly. You should buy a welder... for a quick use, just get the cheap one from Harbor Frieght. You need to drill a hole at either end of the crack to stop the tear. Then, melt out a small V shape in the crack and fill that. The V allows the HDPE to melt into a wider area and get a better repair.

[@ranmangolf]

@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks for your advice

[@wilvandermeulen4930]

First of all, I am not paid by FLUID FILM but it's awesome. Was first made aware of it's use at USMC Camp Lejeune. It's a more than fish oil WD 40. FLUID FILM was invented in the 1940s to protect U.S. Navy ships from rust. It has since been used by NASA, the Coast Guard, the DoD, John Deere, and more.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks! I'll get some. I got a kick out of what they said about putting it on firearms... hmmm .... "Spray FLUID FILM on a rag and then rub down the firearm, leaving a thin film which will not leave fingerprints :

[@xxshooterxxdm]

What is wrong with something like dawn dishwashing soap?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

In general, dishwashing soaps are harsh to cut grease. You could still use it, just dilute it.

[@covecove5978]

LOL.. obviously Steve does not live in New England... His yard is not covered in a foot and half of snow!!!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Lol... That's why I moved! We lived in Hopkinton for 2 years and after a bad winter when the snow blower could not throw snow over the berm created by earlier snowfalls, I was grateful for the transfer to Virginia!

[@blinderb1032]

Jeesh! Now I feel bad that I waited 6 years to wash my yak.

[@docbailey3265]

I’m first because I have no life.