Kayak Sinking - Emergency Repair to fix Kayak Leak

[@markhansen8078]

We had a near catastrophic failure on an extended kayak trip in the Gulf of Mexico. My nephew was using a loaner kayak that turned out to badly cracked. It almost sank on him. We managed to get him to our first camp site using a UV activated glue. This was a temporary fix to get him to camp. The next day we examined the damage and found multiple cracks in and around a scupper drain. We decided to weld the cracks. We used a portable propane stove as a heat source, medic emergency scissors with flat bottom as the iron. We scavenged welding material from the edges inside a hatch... 30 minutes later we had that old yak serviceable. I also jammed some grass bundles inside around that scupper to support it from flexing. He used that yak for 3 days and it provided good service. An emergency field repair with only camping gear in a remote location.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

What a great story and good McGyering!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

What a great story!

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

Good idea and temp fix. I carry some plastic plastic Jb weld with me. Really wanting a good keel guard.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Great hack Steve! Something all kayakers should be prepared for. I carry Gorilla Waterproof Patch and Seal tape on all my kayaks. It even works underwater. I even patched a hole on floor liner in above ground pool years ago still there with no problems.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the confirmation of a solution!

[@charlieboutin3341]

@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks for your reply. I just noticed this thread was from 2 years ago! I just saw it yesterday. That old saying “once on the internet..stays on the internet.” You have great content Steve! Really appreciate all you do! Have a great week. 👍🎣

[@KayakhacksFishing]

@@charlieboutin3341 lol! I need to redo some of the videos from 2015! I have learned much since starting! Thanks for your support

[@markjardine6876]

I got a fishing kayak - always carry underwater epoxy putty 😀🎣

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That's a good idea!

[@KGeezydad1]

I recently used pool epoxy to do an underwater repair on the plastic skimmer and Tile area. IT comes in "playdo" form and works great underwater! They have 5 min Quick setting too.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for that product recommendation!

[@joettev2]

I always have JB Water Weld with me, comes in small tube and I can dab a blob of that on inside or outside of boat , wait a few minutes, can be applied wet and stores in my floating waterproof bag taking up 1" x 4" space, nothing too it. ALSO, I have 8 pool noodles inside my Sit-On boat so if it takes on water, it will still have buoyancy to get it back to shore.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Fantastic ideas!

[@caryverhalen]

Drying the kayak and having no wind rarely happen. There r quick dry glues and epoxys plus various tapes that work as well for emergencies.

[@retnav92]

Good topic, Steve, and one I'm sure all of us have thought about. I've considered installing something like Keel Guard, especially to protect the leading edge where the front (vertical portion) of the bow (Stem) meets the transition into the keel. A quick fix of melting additional HPDE into the crack would be ideal. As with any crack, the trick is to find the end of the split/crack, and stop it from running any further. Drilling a small hole at the end of the crack can help prevent further running, but not something accomplished when out in the wilds. Trying to ream it out without a proper drill might cause it to run further. Slowing/decreasing the incoming flow of water in a temporary/emergency situation is the first goal, and I would clean the area as best possible, then apply some appropriate tape, which I guess we (including myself) should all start carrying onboard. I'd go with the Gorilla Clear Repair tape, which is advertised as working in wet conditions. m.lowes.com/pd/Gorilla-Clear-Repair-1-88-in-x-27-Clear-Duct-Tape/50053465 From the description: "...Made with a heavy duty adhesive layer and waterproof backing for extreme durability. This tape is UV and temperature resistant - great for projects and repairs both indoors and out. Crystal Clear Transparent Gorilla Tape can be applied to wet surfaces and also works under water..." Now that I've typed this, I'll be buying a roll of that Gorilla Clear Repair tape ASAP to keep onboard my kayak. :)

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Others recommend flex seal tape as another alternative. It looks like a great product - waterproof, etc. Two choices! I need to add tape to my safety bag! Thanks for pointing out the need to make the hole at the end of the crack for a permanent solution - I should have mentioned that.

[@retnav92]

Yep, completely forgot about the Flex Seal (pricey) stuff. If it works as well as stated I could have used a bunch of it over the years when I was an active duty Navy Damage Controlman. :)

[@reelyrealfishing2397]

I sink proofed my kayak by stuffing it full of styrofoam packing peanuts. I didn't lose my storage compartment space because i have the insert liners. I tested it in the swimming pool by pouring as much water as i could fit into the kayak with the foam in there and i couldn't even tell i had water in there when i sat on it. I had considered expanding foam but i didn't want something so permanent..

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That is a great idea!

[@kayakrexadventure2308]

Well done my lovely man. Best wishes from Greece.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@Internetpilot]

This is a very good idea, but Flex Seal tape is probably the best/easiest emergency repair solution. Like the infomercials claim, you can even apply Flex Seal tape under water.

[@Internetpilot]

It does stick. I agree -- getting most adhesives to stick to polyethylene can be tricky, but Flex Seal is different. It's much stronger. It actually might be a little difficult to remove.

[@petel8559]

I agree with you on the flex seal tape, I put some along the keel of my kayak as where I fish is really rocky. The first piece I put on wasn't in the right spot......but well it lives there now, couldn't move it at all.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the referral on Flex Seal. I was not aware of the product. I am going to get some today!!

[@michaelcooper7602]

Looking forward to a video review of the Flex Seal!

[@itsmenckgonzalez]

Glue stick plus lighter?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That would be interesting. But... thinking about it, the crack will flex a bit and probably break the glue seal. But...again... that glue stick (the melting kind you use to replace a rod tip) is kind of flexible. It might work...

[@larryjones5295]

Very informative video thanks.

[@yangjianhunt]

In my opinion, the gorilla duct tape would be the best and most convenient; if the aluminum tape holds on as well as the gorilla tape then aluminum tape would be even more convenient since you can cut a few pieces off for storage where duct tape is more bulky. I use gorilla tape to protect the bow from scratching and I found them still sticking after multiple trips. So overall, I recommend having a ziplock bags with paper towels and duct tape and you can make this repair either on water or on shore.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good advice

[@NCKFA]

That is a good tip for our members to know.. sharing it on our page now..thanks!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Some of the feedback included carrying some flex seal tape since it is waterproof. I am going to get some!

[@patrickobrien7090]

Quick dry caulk

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the idea!

[@patrickobrien7090]

Kayak Hacks Fishing where can I send you a quick video of an idea I had that worked great?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

If it is small enough to go through your email provider, send it to me at [e-mail]. Otherwise, you can upload it to a Dropbox or other cloud account and send me a link. Thanks.

[@overloadedoutdoors7582]

Great video awesome idea

[@JS-qg1ie]

I just keep some two part epoxy resin in my yak, they sell it in Poundland in the UK

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That works! Thanks for the idea

[@dalejuhl8591]

A wax toilet ring. The wax can be rubbed into the crack / hole. This will get you back.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Never thought of that! Thanks

[@leonardwood8024]

Great technique. I know of some spray rubber material and a tape with the same brand name. Have you tried them? Your tips are awesome. Thanks.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thankfully, I have not had an emergency, so I have not tried it. What is the name of the spray? Sounds handy!

[@kurtzFPV]

Cheap butane soldering iron would make this easier.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good idea!

[@Robsmith1218]

Great Vid

[@steffenkollin351]

Pretty hard to do it while in the water

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Yes!

[@UserUser-zm3fo]

What about hot melt tip cement? Harder than hot melt glue.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That might work. Just melt it with a lighter!

[@jerry-381]

Might be hard to keep a lighter lit in the wind to do that. You could keep a roll of Flex Tape in the kayak. That stuff does work!

[@slvrlightning00]

Jerry Krabe I tried flex tape once. On a water heater expansion tank blasting water. It shot off the tape. But that could be bc the water was pressurized, and the tank was very slick. So I'm not sure.

[@jerry-381]

Brian Mueller yes sir you are correct. Holding back pressurized water is a different discussion. I've used it several times on PVC pipe that was not under pressure but still leaking gravity water and it has worked every time.

[@jerry-381]

Kayak Hacks Fishing there's another video for you. See if Flex Tape will work on a leaking kayak.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the referral on Flex Seal. I was not aware of the product. I am going to get some today!!

[@jerry-381]

Kayak Hacks Fishing keep us posted on how it works please sir.

[@22veteranflyfishing]

Their might be anther way of doing it. It takes about 25 minutes set time. PlasticWeld Epoxy Putt, www.jbweld. It does really well patching up a hole as well in a kayak when you get home. I used to fix my hole in my kayak at home.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for that additional option!

[@davidlewis9572]

Just keep a lighter handy......how about flex seal tape ?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the referral on Flex Seal. I was not aware of the product. I am going to get some today!!

[@neocaridaniel8220]

Buy it from Lowes. I heard some horror stories about the TV commercial sending/charging you more than you ordered.

[@buckshot0203]

Flex tape has my vote though this is a good idea as I have these parts all the time

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the referral on Flex Seal. I was not aware of the product. I am going to get some today!!

[@buckshot0203]

Kayak Hacks Fishing flex tape is an awesome option

[@joettev2]

don't store flex tape with boat in sun or garage where it stays warm, it turns to globby rubbery mess.

[@vinceh5163]

Flex stuff doesn't work at all

[@ratherbfishing455]

I wonder if you could use Rhino lining on our kayaks to protect them???

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Not sure why KZbin did not show me your comment earlier. Worth a try

[@Pelagic_Hunter1204]

Steve, good video however using Rhino/LineX /Hercules bed liners doesn't stick on HDPE or even LDPE. I had tried doing that (in several methods and temperatures) on my old canoe that got busted/cracked and ice fishing sled/tub. It just forms the shape and then peels right off when dry. Those "PE" plastics are considered "oily" which gives them its sheen appearance. The chemicals used in the bed liners are not "compatible" due to is coefficient threshold (in chemistry sense.) I have plastic welded few of my gear without further failing and melting of same materials is the way to go but using other techniques (JB weld, epoxy, duct tape, etc serves for a temporary fix BUT it can last for so long (could be hours or 5 minutes or even that.) My suggestion is to melt the plastic (of same material of the kayak) and then smooth it out with a Duct Seal (putty like material) over the said melted spot as it will stick yet waterproof (you can even use it for as a transducer "in hull" mount. (Or just simply use it by itself.) I'm sure there are many ideas out there. (Bed liners aren't one of those.)

[@-NoneOfYourBusiness]

Sir, I got it. Forget the putty. Im ordering this right now. Check this out: Flex tape (3M also got a version of it) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWO9qGmQep6qmZY Its just that putty wouldn't be "temporary". Rather permanent in fact. But this would be.

[@corysnladventures2758]

I bought a pelican kayak lol. I don't have to worry about that. 😆👍👍👈

[@corysnladventures2758]

Your videos are the best and you sir are smart as a fox !!! 😂😆👍👍👈

[@traumahawk517]

JB ColdWeld 5 Minute Epoxy,,,,Best Epoxy on Earth!! Mix,Apply,& Go

[@scootertaj2068]

I’m your first person to watch this

[@scootertaj2068]

My kayak I so thick it will never leak it. Cost $2000

[@adventureswithken1983]

Scooter taj206 You will be the first one calling for help when it starts to go down. The best of the best will sink and crack if not properly taken care of.

[@ratherbfishing455]

Things happen. Stress fractures from the scupper cart or the beach seat.

[@leonardwood8024]

Scooter taj206 Never, ever say never- ______t happens.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Be prepared! I am doing another video on how to make a sit on top kayak sink-proof. Stay tuned.

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

Scooter taj206 May I suggest you name the yak Titanic. 👉🏻🏊🏻‍♂️😂