I have repaired 3 Nomads that cracked in that same area, but I use West System 665/8 two part epoxy and flame treat the surface after 80 grit sanding and 91% alcohol wipe. I apply epoxy two both sides of the split and I also drill the ends of the existing crack.
I weld just as you do except l often weld a patch on the inside of the boat to insure the crack won't open again. Of course it's necessary to have a few unrepairable hulls or parts of hulls laying around to make patches from.
I do a different process that I have yet to see done elsewhere. I used to weld hdpe plastic pipe for high pressure water lines... We had a tool but I use a soldering iron with a flat tip. I penetrate the entire crack with the flat tip ensuring even heating and I will fill with shavings if need be. I never at any time sand as to not remove any plastic from the hull. Its tricky but you dont get the warping issues like you can doing longer welds with a heat gun. I have yet to have a weld fail. I'll probably get a call tomorrow bc I said that though. Anybody else do it that way?
I seen people use that method a lot especially in Mexico they love the soldering irons it works very they paddle the boats down there until they just can’t weld them anymore.
Thanks for the reply! Please more stuff like this. It's so valuable for the community especially to beaters like myself. We need all the guidance we can get!
![How To Fix A Crack in a Kayak [Plastic Welding]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/K1CAdLAYQ7c/mqdefault.jpg)
I have repaired 3 Nomads that cracked in that same area, but I use West System 665/8 two part epoxy and flame treat the surface after 80 grit sanding and 91% alcohol wipe. I apply epoxy two both sides of the split and I also drill the ends of the existing crack.
Nice way to get those back on the river
I weld just as you do except l often weld a patch on the inside of the boat to insure the crack won't open again. Of course it's necessary to have a few unrepairable hulls or parts of hulls laying around to make patches from.
Yeah I done that before also and now find that the tape works well also
Excellent. Thank you.
I want to redo this video I lost my voice the dam before this and went ahead and filmed it anyway 😂 and added text
i had to use the sticky booger finger trick on a Gradient seat nut/washer yesterday
HahHah been there
I do a different process that I have yet to see done elsewhere. I used to weld hdpe plastic pipe for high pressure water lines... We had a tool but I use a soldering iron with a flat tip. I penetrate the entire crack with the flat tip ensuring even heating and I will fill with shavings if need be. I never at any time sand as to not remove any plastic from the hull. Its tricky but you dont get the warping issues like you can doing longer welds with a heat gun. I have yet to have a weld fail. I'll probably get a call tomorrow bc I said that though. Anybody else do it that way?
I seen people use that method a lot especially in Mexico they love the soldering irons it works very they paddle the boats down there until they just can’t weld them anymore.
Thanks for the reply! Please more stuff like this. It's so valuable for the community especially to beaters like myself. We need all the guidance we can get!
You look like you have built a few thousand boats!
Yeah probably a couple??
What grit was the sandpaper?
nav 60grit very light and 220 grit to clean up
Wade, we know you can talk...
😂 yeah my problem is talk to much!!
Never!! We learn so much good and bad! @@WadeHarrison
this wouldnt need doing if they made them with thicker bottoms i find they dont crack so much but weat thin
Exactly