Yakdoc Plastic Welding
  • Home
  • Kayak Repair
  • Motorcycle repairs
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog articles

Kayak detailing

8/7/2014

1 Comment

 
Post by Yakdoc Plastic Kayak and Canoe repairs www.yakdoc.com.
1 Comment

Motor yak

8/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Post by Yakdoc Plastic Kayak and Canoe repairs www.yakdoc.com.
0 Comments

Leak testing a kayak

25/4/2014

1 Comment

 
Here's a video of a kayak that had no obvious signs of damage however it took on water every trip especially when it was choppy or rough.
Turn your sound up and have a look.
Cheers from Yakdoc.

1 Comment

Kayak plastic surgery

31/3/2014

0 Comments

 
This kayak had some issues and just as in life, things didn't go to plan, this is part one of the video and part two will be added in the near future.  Turn your speakers up a little and see what's happened so far.

Cheers from Yakdoc.
0 Comments

Plastic Scratch removal

30/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Kayak looking a little scruffy and scratched? its normal if you fish from it.
you can make it look a lot better with "careful" use of a hot air paint stripper gun, warning!! warning!! warning!! do not let the hot nozzle of the gun touch... your kayak!! it will melt it instantly.
Watch the video  of me cleaning up my kayak, the scratches have a small fluffy ridge of plastic either side and the hot air gun fuses these ridges back onto the hull, be warned it takes a long time to do the whole hull and it must be scrubbed clean before heating.

Don't stay in one spot for long, do one part then move to the other end on the other side, once again, clean it first!! keep the gun moving!! keep the gun off the hull.

0 Comments

Safety Advice

20/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some sound advice from the friendly people at Wavedance Kayaks

Wavedance kayaks are easy to use but remember that all water sports involve risk. Please stay safe.

  • always ensure that hatches are secure and watertight before entering the water.
  • Always wear a life vest or life jacket – as required for kayaking by Australian water safety regulations.
  • Paddle in company. It is safer to kayak with at least one other person, and to tell someone where you will be going and when you expect to return.
  • Be sure your experience matches the water conditions.
  • Check weather conditions and know what changes, such as offshore winds, may occur. The Bureau of Meteorology’s web site provides current weather forecasts for all regions of Australia.
  • In flat water your paddle may be secured with a leash.
  • Do not exceed the recommended load carrying capacities: Echo 120kg, Encore 120kg, Calypso 150kg, Capri 220kg.
  • Wear a helmet for surf and white-water kayaking and for other activities where there are both rough water and rocks.
  • Be aware of local conditions – including currents, shoreline variations and special hazards – in an area that you wish to visit.
  • It is often colder on the water and the sun is stronger. Wear or take suitable protection.
  • Beginners need to choose appropriate water and weather conditions while gaining experience and refining paddling techniques. Getting into the craft from the water is easy because of the stable hull, but it is a good idea to try it a few times and decide on the best and fastest method. Practice handling a capsize, first in shallow water. Courses are available for all levels of kayaking skills and local clubs provide information and activities.
0 Comments

Skips kayak repaired

10/3/2014

0 Comments

 
split kayak
This is Skip's kayak with badly split scupper tubes, a few weeks ago I  repaired it by resleeving the scupper tubes.
  Labour day long weekend  he launched from the east side of Westernport and even though he misjudged the tides and had to push it back in through 130 meters of knee deep mud, he was happy with his catch
of a good size Gummy, a decent elephant shark and a nice pinky snapper.
The yak although very muddy stayed dry on the inside.
Well done Skip, enjoy your fisherman's basket dinner and perhaps read the tide charts.

Cheers Doc.

muddy dirty kayak
That's going to take some cleaning.

kayak fishing
Good to see a repair job back on the water and catching fish.

0 Comments

Kayak carts/trolleys

11/2/2014

1 Comment

 
All of the damage you see above is from scupper carts, the type that go through your scuppers,  and all the weight of the kayak and gear sits on those two small surfaces.
The cart twists inside the scuppers when you go over uneven ground or thick sand placing a lot of strain on what is in my opinion, the weakest point of most kayaks I have seen so far.

I am dead set against scupper carts and wont use or recommend them, the scupper tube wall thickness leaves a lot to be desired in the kayaks I have repaired to date, some of them are less than 1mm!!.

The type of cart I recommend and use myself supports the kayak over a much greater area and offers far more support, sure you can't just "bung it on" and get going however it doesn't take long to get used to strapping a cart on.
Picture
This is probably the best deal I have seen so far on a good, lightweight, sturdy kayak cart that will give much better support to your kayak, its available from JAG Trading Online on E-bay.



Picture
  • Load capacity: 80kg Max.
  • Overall Width: 700mm (including wheels)
  • Height: 440mm
  • Depth: 300mm
  • Free Tie-down strap, approx. 3.8m length
  • Free breathable drawstring storage bag

  • Jag online trading link
    Click on the link above to visit JAG Trading Online on E-bay
    1 Comment

    Plastic Welding, compatibility.

    27/1/2014

    2 Comments

     
    Kayak plastic weld test
    I'm often asked by people "can any plastic be used to repair a kayak?"  the short answer is, no!! , most plastics with the exception of a few will only stick to themselves.

    This is a LDPE weld rod welded to a HDPE kayak hull, looks good doesn't it?   when the test weld is cold, I try to pull it off with pliers and most of the time can't.


    Kayak test weld fail.
    Test weld fail, this weld had good penetration however it  detached with just a light pull, imagine that happening out at sea in rough water, I cannot stress enough the importance of compatible materials for repair and done by someone that knows how to do the repair properly.

    2 Comments

     bow and keel wear.

    19/1/2014

    0 Comments

     
    kayak with worn out bow
    Loading or unloading your kayak on hard gravel or the road will often cause the bow or keel to wear through as in the case in this kayak bow.

    kayak on car floor mat
    Using a rubber or plastic car mat between the hull and the ground will definitely reduce if not eliminate damage to your hull caused by loading or unloading on rough surfaces.

    0 Comments
    <<Previous

      Categories

      All
      Bow And Keel Wear
      Kayak Carts
      Kayak Detailing
      Keep Your Offcuts
      Leak Testing A Kayak
      Plastic Compatibility
      Plastic Scratch Removal
      References

    Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.