Post by nictech on Jun 15, 2012 5:40:49 GMT -5
After finding a post here about G-Flex and canoe repair I just had to come back and post about the success in hopes it can help others.
Although a fly fisherman for over 35 years I have always traveled the waters in waders, never caught the canoe bug until past few years. Decided this spring to get a used canoe and enjoy more trips than possible when borrowing a buddies boat.
My lack of experience told me to go used as there will be rocks so lets keep the budget down. Past few years has been in a 16 9 OT Discovery, found it bit small and tippy for our leisurely floats, wife and I with a cooler on lazy waters.
When a great friend offered me a retired and damaged OT Tripper XL I figured it was just the boat for me.
After many years of guiding sports on the 'Chi the old boat had serious lenghtwise cracks and missing few thwarts. Quick trip to Canadian Tire for epoxy & fiberglass fixed a 2 foot long crack that was through all layers.
Toosed it in the Nashwaak for a test and although the new repair held up one other crack proved to be a real problem. It ran over 3 feet between two old repairs, flexed up about 4 inches full length of crack and the river bubbled up through like a fountain. The 2 hour cruise was bit scary as figured the old boat would break in half down it's full length.
Several online searches about Royalex painted a sad picture, very tough to put a hard patch on a flexible boat. "Nail polish on a balloon" was a great reference.
Found a post here about G-Flex so gave it a try. Bough a 2 x 500 ml kit from Pro-Craft on Prospect St fredericton, ($67.00) Cleaned the area with sandpaper, washed with acetone and applied a layer of g-flex working it hard into full length of crack. Applied a 6" wide fiberglass full length, wetted it down well then applied a 2 foot wide fiberglass.
After about half hour we noticed the epoxy soaking out of the cloth down into the crack so mixed last bit of epoxy and just poured it along the crack.
Initial test drive in low water Nashwaak was amazing, hit lots of rocks and that big patch flexed perfectly, no leaks.
Couple days ago my son and I, (both big guys, 250lbs plus)put in the Cains at Bantalor for a day trip. The Blackville water level was showing .8 so we knew it could be rough going. I am happy to report that that patch performed beyond expectations, was so cool to slide over huge rocks in barely 2" of water and watch the cooler rise and fall while sitting on the new repair.
The G-Flex is a solid solution, although I did not do very professional job of repair it held up perfectly and I would recommend the product to anyone.
The trip was complete success, cold beverages, great company and even managed to release about 10 trout, couple of them 20 + inches.
Couple pics of the repair attached.
Although a fly fisherman for over 35 years I have always traveled the waters in waders, never caught the canoe bug until past few years. Decided this spring to get a used canoe and enjoy more trips than possible when borrowing a buddies boat.
My lack of experience told me to go used as there will be rocks so lets keep the budget down. Past few years has been in a 16 9 OT Discovery, found it bit small and tippy for our leisurely floats, wife and I with a cooler on lazy waters.
When a great friend offered me a retired and damaged OT Tripper XL I figured it was just the boat for me.
After many years of guiding sports on the 'Chi the old boat had serious lenghtwise cracks and missing few thwarts. Quick trip to Canadian Tire for epoxy & fiberglass fixed a 2 foot long crack that was through all layers.
Toosed it in the Nashwaak for a test and although the new repair held up one other crack proved to be a real problem. It ran over 3 feet between two old repairs, flexed up about 4 inches full length of crack and the river bubbled up through like a fountain. The 2 hour cruise was bit scary as figured the old boat would break in half down it's full length.
Several online searches about Royalex painted a sad picture, very tough to put a hard patch on a flexible boat. "Nail polish on a balloon" was a great reference.
Found a post here about G-Flex so gave it a try. Bough a 2 x 500 ml kit from Pro-Craft on Prospect St fredericton, ($67.00) Cleaned the area with sandpaper, washed with acetone and applied a layer of g-flex working it hard into full length of crack. Applied a 6" wide fiberglass full length, wetted it down well then applied a 2 foot wide fiberglass.
After about half hour we noticed the epoxy soaking out of the cloth down into the crack so mixed last bit of epoxy and just poured it along the crack.
Initial test drive in low water Nashwaak was amazing, hit lots of rocks and that big patch flexed perfectly, no leaks.
Couple days ago my son and I, (both big guys, 250lbs plus)put in the Cains at Bantalor for a day trip. The Blackville water level was showing .8 so we knew it could be rough going. I am happy to report that that patch performed beyond expectations, was so cool to slide over huge rocks in barely 2" of water and watch the cooler rise and fall while sitting on the new repair.
The G-Flex is a solid solution, although I did not do very professional job of repair it held up perfectly and I would recommend the product to anyone.
The trip was complete success, cold beverages, great company and even managed to release about 10 trout, couple of them 20 + inches.
Couple pics of the repair attached.