Gator Guards Hull Protection Install - Photo Dump

Since I decided to keep my my 2012 Hobie Outback, I thought I might try to add some additional hull protection.  Maybe I can keep this kayak going for another 7 years.

After watching quite a few YouTube videos and reviews, I decided to go with Gator Guards "Gator Patch."  I opted for the 3"x 36" roll so that I could cut it into two, 18" strips, one for the front and one for the back.

I thought maybe making a template would enable me to add in some relief cuts prior to the install.  It seemed that a lot of the online video didn't do this and then had some problems with bubbling.

I also used the template to tape off the section that would need sanded down. This worked pretty good but after the sanding I needed to remove the tape because the patch was actually a little wider than 3 inches.

Applying the patch was actually pretty easy.  I used the template for the relief cuts and made sure make the overlaps go with the flow of the water.  Since the patch is sensitive to UV I did this process in the garage and then wheeled the kayak out into the sun for the hardening process.

The instructions said you only needed to wait 5 minutes after installing for it to be fully cured but I decided it would be a good time to go get some paint to match my hull.  I think it was about 30 minutes or so.  Once again I masked off the area and was able to do some sanding.  The initial patch is pretty rough and I would highly recommend sanding.

For the paint I decided to just get a generic rustolium type paint.  I think I applied 5ish coats to both the front and the rear.  It actually blends in quite well.

So far I've been out half a dozen times and I am really happy with the end product.  I've managed to scratch a bit of the paint off but the patch itself seems to be holding up quite well. 

Let me know what you think.

Seam like this would also be a nice thing to have in your kayak first aid kit for any river drifts or kayak camping trips. Looks good let us know how it wears over time.

Where did you order it ??

I ordered directly from their website. https://www.gator-guards.com/product/gator-patch-2/

I ordered directly from their website. https://www.gator-guards.com/product/gator-patch-2/

Thanks amazon ain’t got many options.

Previous hull protection schemes:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=6586.msg70634#msg70634

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=13265.msg145599#msg145599

In 2007 I applied what I describe in the thread above. 12 years later it is still stuck tight.

Propeller protection tape might be a good alternative. Google "propeller protection tape" or just "propeller tape."