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1. 

   Scareman
   Member

   Question...Can you repair a Kevlar kayak that has been crushed? 

   Moving company crushed my Seaward Passat.

   I have already talked to Steve and Jacquie at Seaward Kayaks and it could take a month to get a replacement Passat made and shipped to me.

   I have always heard that re-epoxying Kevlar creates "fuzzies" and you never really get a satisfactory finish.

   Please advise.

   Posted 5 years ago #
2. 

   BustedRudder
   Member

   Depends on the amount of "crush". There would be limits on weight gain and if the hull isnt straight it is tough to make it true again.

   I have had 3 kevlar Neckys. They will generaly take polyester resin repairs, though epoxy takes the guess work out. Some manufactuers used vinylester resin which best bonds with epoxy.

   Kevlar does ball up. Effect repairs from the inside. Sand until you have clean surface and a little fuzzie then uses light mat or cloth. The outside will have some gel coat to work with so sand as needed to make it seem smooth, repair cracks with "filler"which could be a bondo like product or thickened epoxy, then spray a couple coats of gel coat and sand out the orange peel.

   If it has been really crushed, it will look like frankenstein but be seaworthy. The attribute of kevlar it can be crushed and the fibers remain intact. 

   Post pics. Too bad you arent in FL Brad. Sorry for your loss but at least you will get a replacement:)

   Posted 5 years ago #
3. 

   BeastOarman
   Member

   Bummer, good luck Brad. I had to turn my badly damaged rowing shell into a "trainer". But I know you were looking for a better fit in a single, so maybe this is the impetus.

   Posted 5 years ago #
4. 

   Shag
   Member

   I demolished the front three feet of my Kevla Necky and was able to rebuild in two days.Epoxy and you don't have to use kevlar for the repair. Accidentally backed over it. Best wishes and good luck Shag 

   Posted 5 years ago #

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