Kayak Band-aid

 Im adding this to my river gear.




This could really save the day or even someones extended river trip.
It might even be useful for keel protection.

If it actually works, seems worth putting a foot or so in you under hatch repair kit, and another chunk in your "go bag". I carry a small roll of 1.5" wide Gorilla tape, which the package says works on wet surfaces. I dunno how well.

Gorilla tape does work pretty well with wet surfaces. It may not stop a leak completely, but it will definitely slow it down pretty well.

I know a couple of people who use UHMW tape on their hulls to reduce gouging when pulling their yaks across rocks.  Sort of a preventative version of the duct tape Band-Aid

-Mark-

This video helped convince to give the tape a try.
There is potential that it could be a solid patch.

Expecting it to arrive today. Ill review after I try to reinforce a keel with it.



~ 2004. Eastern Sierra. Day 2 of at least 9.
We had decided to paddle/fish Green creek early in the trip.
When we unloaded the boats at the put-in, my Hobie Quest was buckled and mashed by the other boats on the rack. Of course there was some hazing as I pushed my boat back into shape.


While most of the lazy Green wanders through meadows, there are a few technical sections and portages.
About halfway through our day, the Hobie boat did not survive one of those sections and the hull was compromised. Yes, there was more hazing, but only until the reality set in that my day was done.
Which also meant that everyones day was done.
We had a rough go packing out the boats and gear until we found the road. It was also tough to figure out how far we were from either put-in or take-out to get a truck. Anyway, what started out amazing turned hot and ugly.

I spent the rest of that trip trying to limp the boat along with duct tape and shoo goo.
Not an amazing experience.
Im hoping this tape can save someone from a day like ours. Kayaks need band-aids.

I look forward to your review Terry.  This stuff looks like it could be a great addition for river trips on my inflatable kayak.

We sure want it to work, but at least these reviews looks rough...
http://www.highya.com/flex-tape-reviews

Its a workable band-aid. All of my boats will have a strip in the jump bag.
Feels slightly thicker than electrical tape and is not stretchy.
Tough, but not protect the keel tough.
It can rescue your trip but its still just rubberized tape.

Soooo, here's the rub. The sticky gunk back is hardcore and removal might be challenging.
Per the warning labels, it is not  "cleanly removed" ,"May damage surface", and will continue to strengthen its bond with time.
 A forever glue could make the permanent weld work challenging .
Fortunately for those paddling plastic, not bonding with other stuff is sort of PE's thing, but Ill get some scrap and see just how difficult it is to remove the gunk.



Unfortunately my scrap plastic is somewhere in my temp storage.
Your patience is appreciated

I used jb plastic weld as a preventive measures on my rear keel. It's stayed there for a couple years now. It's a putty that you work then spread around where it's needed. Package says it can be applied under water even

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How did you apply it to the keel? Pictures?

How did you apply it to the keel? Pictures?

The plastic weld is a two part clay. It is about as firm as semi dry play doh when working with it before it cures. I'll be honest that I did a very poor job as far as finish but if you have a scraper or putty knife it would definitely help. I sprayed bed liner on top to make it black again like how the boat came. I've ran it in to a gravel bed in order to take a break in the river and no damage.

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This is the product I used: https://www.jbweld.com/products/plasticweld-epoxy-putty

Here is another option they offer: https://www.jbweld.com/collections/8237/products/plasticweld-syringe

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