I need someone to patch my canoe

[hank franklin]

Hello,

I got an old 17 foot Coleman canoe that has a hole on the bottom. I tried to use fiberglass patch but to no avail. I'd like to find someone that can give it a long-term patch. Problem is the hole is on the very center bottom of the boat, which gets as much pressure and wear as anyplace else. It's a keel canoe too and the hole is on the keel, futher complicating matters

Anybody know where to get such a patch done? The patch I'm thinking of is similar to patches I've seen on Old Towns at outfitters.

Anybody that can either do the patch or tell me a foolproof way to do it myself would be VERY appreciated. I can send photos, etc. if you need more info.

Lemme know....

Hank

[bobber]

ok ,i need a little more in for here to help you do your repairs the first patch you did? your old patch failed/ fall-off or cracked thru? besause now we are patching the patch ? on the inside of the canoe clean the damaged area with alchol or acetone take labled for plactic two part epoxy and lay a bead (like toothpaste size)over the hole, and take duct tape band-aid and push the epoxy into the hole with the tape, smooth it with your thumb and leave alone! yes leave the tape on it!! now flip the boat see any epoxy seeping out? if so apply a small amount of epoxy and do the same thing as in inside yes leave the tape, after the curing time is up 24 hours slowly roll the tape off (dont pull-it off) sure hope this helps you!!

[hank franklin]

Thanks a lot. Yes, the fiberglass patch has cracked off entirely. It actually held up most of the season last year but cracked up first time out this year. I haven't used an epoxy yet, think I'll try it.

[Flysmallie]

Most canoes are made of some type of plastic that is flexible. Fiberglass repairs are better used on substrates that are more rigid. When the canoe flexes the fiberglass will not and this causes it to pull waya from the repair or break and crack. Some epoxies are just as bad as fiberglass.

I would suggest using products that are recommended for semi-flexible repair, much like what would be used to repair a felxible bumper on a car. If you are interested PM me and I can get you list together of what products you would need and what the approx. cost would be.

[hank franklin]

Thanks for the advice. I've seen Old Towns at outfitters with big patches on the hulls, it looks almost like a wax but it's hard.

Anybody know what that stuff is and where I might find it, or find someone who can do it?

[Wayne SW/MO]

The Coleman's are Polyethylene and the best bet for a permanent fix is to find a plastic welder.

[ollie]

I had a guy in Carthage plastic weld my pam 100. She ain't a looker, but the weld is still good! ( $10 ).