Really nice job on this, I have a repaired a few cracks in deltas, but I am far from professional. They were plenty strong but not as pretty as this. Well done.
How would ABS and Acetone applied perform compared to this method? Seems the fiberglass method won't hold up as well and even plastic welding is a better method, especially ironing in stainless steel screen over the breaks.
Generally ABS is very flexible. Since the material is fractured and kinked the load has to be backed by another material internally. A layer of ABS behind the damage would work, but does need to be moulded to shape and will add weight. I saturate 6 ounce fiberglass with the Delta manufacturers adhesive so that it remains thin, light and smooth. We dont want any sharp edges inside the bulkheads that could damage gear. Thanks for your comment.
Great vid! Used it to get comfortable with the process and was able to perform a tricky repair on my Eddyline where the coaming was splitting from the hull. However now I'm looking at picking up a Hurricane that was previously repaired with fiberglass patches and one of them is on the outside and ugly. Can you clarify what kind of paint you used to pretty up the hull? Is there anything available in cans that would give similar results? I don't need it gorgeous, just not a huge yellow patch. Thanks!
The paint used in the video is for commercial use, it cannot be retailed. The issue for rattle can paints in general is preparing the plastic to receive paint, since plastics are non porous and non sticking by nature. It would depend on what fiberglass and resin was used as well, automotive polyester like bondo will not adhere to plastics long term. Be cautious when buying boats that have not been professionally repaired. I am using a specific acrylic adhesive from the manufacturer that is formulated to bond to plastic, not polyester resin or epoxy for instance.
Thanks so much for the video! I am going to attempt to repair two minor cracks on my Delta... a small crack in the deck behind the cockpit which the above technique should work well for, but the 2nd crack is on the cockpit coaming and I'm unsure of how much fibreglass cloth to use here... should I just use a little on the underside of the coaming ridge to strengthen the spot, or wrap it around the side of the coaming so it is on both sides of the crack?
If you are injecting the acrylic adhesive into the crack from the underside and filling the joint completely you do not require fibreglass on the outside. If you are not able to adhere the internal crack surfaces we do want fiberglass on the top and bottom of the crack. Generally we do not want to have a visible repair, which leads to painting if you are having adhesive exposed to UV.
No they are a thin gauge steel wire so that the adhesive doesn't glue them into the plastic permanently. Zip ties and other things can be used, but they are difficult to retrieve once the inside is fiberglassed.
@@timberboatworks Thank you for clarifying that! I wasn't sure whether or not the ties stayed in or not after the gluing. I assume you pull them out with pliers?
Soo, are these thermoform kayaks strong enough to use on low rivers and creeks? Im thinking about one for camping. most of the streams are pretty calm but have low sections with rocks and gravel you have to slide over. I have a poly boat for the severe rock drag trips. But could i get away with a thermoformed boat for camping trips where there might be some dragging and minor rock bumps? Or are they strictly for deeper water and soft sandy shores?
ABS boats are more durable than HDPE (polyethylene) boats because they are flexible and way lighter. ABS has more flexibility than HDPE so impacts do not shatter the surface. You can see in the video how much the ABS bent before failure. This boat was in a roof rack and hit a concrete parking structure, this is not a regular situation or use for this boat. Deltas specifically are build very well, durable, UV stable, ultra light and high performance. This is not the case for all ABS boats. boatcraft.com/collections/delta-kayaks
Yes, we sell a Delta Repair kit that has the glue that i've used in the video along with fiberglass. Its easiest to try and use the broken pieces of thermoform from when the hull was damaged. Molding new pieces is challenging. A pure fiberglass repair can also be done if the thermoform is prepped correctly and the correct adhesive is used.
0.032" stainless wire. Copper wire has become too expensive to be used in repairs and constructions. This wire is sourced from the concrete and cribbing industry. Its cheap and easily sourced.
The boat was in strapped in a roof rack when the owner hit another vehicle with the boat. The boat was overhanging so it took all of the force. The boat creased before it cracked, so the tension on the stern was high. This situation definitely shows the strength of ABS and that it can be repaired easily.
We recommend installing the patch on the inside of the hull because the hull flexes inwards when the boat is in water. If the patch is on the outside the crack is still able to flex inward which will ultimately cause more cracking. Structural work has to be done on the inside and cosmetic on the outside. It is easiest to remove the rib, do the repair and reinstall the rib.
After an auto collision...c'mon man, get real. In how many pieces would FG have been all over the ground? ABS is strong and flexible enough to have lived through this.
This has got to be the best kayak repair video I have seen yet.
Thank you. I hope that it has been helpful, there will be more repair and build videos in the future.
We are watching this video on repeat as we try to diy repair ours. Thank you for the clear video and instructions!
Thank you for watching. As long as you are using the correct adhesive for ABS plastic your repair will be a success.
Excellent workmanship
Really nice job on this, I have a repaired a few cracks in deltas, but I am far from professional. They were plenty strong but not as pretty as this. Well done.
Ohh ....Artistic work!!
How would ABS and Acetone applied perform compared to this method? Seems the fiberglass method won't hold up as well and even plastic welding is a better method, especially ironing in stainless steel screen over the breaks.
Looks great though, nice work!
Generally ABS is very flexible. Since the material is fractured and kinked the load has to be backed by another material internally. A layer of ABS behind the damage would work, but does need to be moulded to shape and will add weight. I saturate 6 ounce fiberglass with the Delta manufacturers adhesive so that it remains thin, light and smooth. We dont want any sharp edges inside the bulkheads that could damage gear. Thanks for your comment.
Great vid! Used it to get comfortable with the process and was able to perform a tricky repair on my Eddyline where the coaming was splitting from the hull. However now I'm looking at picking up a Hurricane that was previously repaired with fiberglass patches and one of them is on the outside and ugly. Can you clarify what kind of paint you used to pretty up the hull? Is there anything available in cans that would give similar results? I don't need it gorgeous, just not a huge yellow patch. Thanks!
The paint used in the video is for commercial use, it cannot be retailed. The issue for rattle can paints in general is preparing the plastic to receive paint, since plastics are non porous and non sticking by nature. It would depend on what fiberglass and resin was used as well, automotive polyester like bondo will not adhere to plastics long term. Be cautious when buying boats that have not been professionally repaired. I am using a specific acrylic adhesive from the manufacturer that is formulated to bond to plastic, not polyester resin or epoxy for instance.
Thanks so much for the video! I am going to attempt to repair two minor cracks on my Delta... a small crack in the deck behind the cockpit which the above technique should work well for, but the 2nd crack is on the cockpit coaming and I'm unsure of how much fibreglass cloth to use here... should I just use a little on the underside of the coaming ridge to strengthen the spot, or wrap it around the side of the coaming so it is on both sides of the crack?
If you are injecting the acrylic adhesive into the crack from the underside and filling the joint completely you do not require fibreglass on the outside. If you are not able to adhere the internal crack surfaces we do want fiberglass on the top and bottom of the crack. Generally we do not want to have a visible repair, which leads to painting if you are having adhesive exposed to UV.
Great video. After being impaled by a submerged root I'm faced with a similar repair. Are the stitching wires composed of the same plastic material?
No they are a thin gauge steel wire so that the adhesive doesn't glue them into the plastic permanently. Zip ties and other things can be used, but they are difficult to retrieve once the inside is fiberglassed.
@@timberboatworks Thank you for clarifying that! I wasn't sure whether or not the ties stayed in or not after the gluing. I assume you pull them out with pliers?
Soo, are these thermoform kayaks strong enough to use on low rivers and creeks? Im thinking about one for camping. most of the streams are pretty calm but have low sections with rocks and gravel you have to slide over.
I have a poly boat for the severe rock drag trips. But could i get away with a thermoformed boat for camping trips where there might be some dragging and minor rock bumps? Or are they strictly for deeper water and soft sandy shores?
ABS boats are more durable than HDPE (polyethylene) boats because they are flexible and way lighter. ABS has more flexibility than HDPE so impacts do not shatter the surface. You can see in the video how much the ABS bent before failure. This boat was in a roof rack and hit a concrete parking structure, this is not a regular situation or use for this boat. Deltas specifically are build very well, durable, UV stable, ultra light and high performance. This is not the case for all ABS boats.
boatcraft.com/collections/delta-kayaks
Is there anyway to repair a punctured hole? I have a 12.10 with a 3" to 5" hole and some cracks.
Yes, we sell a Delta Repair kit that has the glue that i've used in the video along with fiberglass. Its easiest to try and use the broken pieces of thermoform from when the hull was damaged. Molding new pieces is challenging. A pure fiberglass repair can also be done if the thermoform is prepped correctly and the correct adhesive is used.
Which gauge stitching wire did you use?
0.032" stainless wire. Copper wire has become too expensive to be used in repairs and constructions. This wire is sourced from the concrete and cribbing industry. Its cheap and easily sourced.
0.032" stainless wire. Copper wire has become to expensive for constructions and repairs.
howd it crack like that?
The boat was in strapped in a roof rack when the owner hit another vehicle with the boat. The boat was overhanging so it took all of the force. The boat creased before it cracked, so the tension on the stern was high. This situation definitely shows the strength of ABS and that it can be repaired easily.
Can I apply the patch to the outside? The outside crack on my yak is over an internal rib that is sealed off. (It’s not a Delta but is a thermoform)
We recommend installing the patch on the inside of the hull because the hull flexes inwards when the boat is in water. If the patch is on the outside the crack is still able to flex inward which will ultimately cause more cracking. Structural work has to be done on the inside and cosmetic on the outside. It is easiest to remove the rib, do the repair and reinstall the rib.
good god, that backround music is just *absolutely* horrible, nearly painful 😅. Glad the video is as educatice muted ;)
6" fiberglass tape would leave less rough edges
Just buy a fiberglass hull.
In a few days there will be a video published on how to repair fiberglass kayaks as well. Thank you for the comment.
Fiberglass is lighter & stiffer, but ABS boats are less expensive and more impact resistant (but obviously not impact-proof).
Junk thermoform.
After an auto collision...c'mon man, get real. In how many pieces would FG have been all over the ground? ABS is strong and flexible enough to have lived through this.