Welding a Cracked Boat
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11995
Printed Date: 17 Sep 2025 at 9:42am
Topic: Welding a Cracked Boat
Posted By: peele
Subject: Welding a Cracked Boat
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 9:21pm
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So I managed to crack my burn this weekend and was lookin for some advice.
I have about a 3" crack in the bottom of the boat and was hoping I would be able to weld it up. Are you able to weld the burns? anybody have a method that has worked well for them? just some general tips on how not to melt my boat into a puddle? I was thinking a soddering iron with a chunk of plastic from the cockpit ring. |
Replies:
Posted By: JD_G
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 9:25pm
| Drill the ends of the crack to stop it from getting worse. Pond seam tape from Home Depot is a great interim / long term solution. |
Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 9:26pm
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http://liquidlogickayaks.com/liquidTV/welding.swf
You can weld pyranhas. This video is from the liquid logic site, but it's the same technique. My recommendation is to get a heat gun that has a fine point nozzle just like the one on the video. My heat gun's fine point tip is still pretty wide and heats up too much of the surface area on the hull and gets the whole area pretty gooey. With that said, speed is key other wise you can melt a big hole right in the hull. Hope it helps. ------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723 |
Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 9:27pm
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No soldering iron, burns the plastic as it melts it. ------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723 |
Posted By: brig
Date Posted: 08 May 2012 at 10:40pm
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Hey Peelie, just read Leif's email. Ive always used the liquid logic method, works great. I use a heat gun and make sure you take it slow. Don't rush. My most recent welds on the Nomad will outlast the boat. Go buy yourself a good scraper too. If I lived on that side I'd walk you through it. Valuable skill fo sho.
Jed, met you camping a couple of weeks ago on the east side. If I see you out you're welcome to take my nomad for a spin. ------------- Chris B. |
Posted By: Travisimo
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 12:25am
If you can make it to Mukilteo... I have a plastic welder and have done many. If you get the boat all ready and can locate a small strip of plastic... or cut one from you cockpit... I'll help ya do it. The downside is you'll have to work around my (sometimes crazy schedule). I've done many successful welds but no guarantee. You can check out my welds before you trust me and try yourself if you think you'll do better  .Alternatively.. I have lots of Wavesport plastic... not 100% sure it's the exact same but we could use that too. ------------- H2O please |
Posted By: fiddleyak
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 8:45am
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I've heard that a plastic welder works really well.
I've had good success with a heat gun. Like others said, take your time and don't get the plastic too hot. It shouldn't starts smoking or discolor. Surprisingly, it's really not that difficult. Before your first weld practice on some spare plastic. I usually fill in the crack from the outside and then weld a big piece on the inside. I've got red and green pyrahna plastic if you need a bit. For a long time I used Wavesport plastic on a Pyranha but recently discovered that matching plastics works way better. |
Posted By: Lynn Wang
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 12:53pm
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I have a Jackson 2010 Star that needs welding. I'll pay for the service (but please don't gouge me). Call me 2067double nine4zero8three. I will txt you a picture of the crack for the assessment. |
Posted By: peele
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 1:18pm
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Hey All thanks for all the good info.
that liquid logic video was just the thing i needed and hopefully with all the hints my attempt at welding will be a success!
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Posted By: brig
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 4:03pm
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Hey Lynn, I don't know if you've tried yet or not...but Jackson has a great warranty, and they might be able to take care of you. May have to buy a new shell, but that's better than a weld. Also, I'm not sure if things have changed in the world of plastic....but I seem to remember cross-link not being weldable.....not sure if yours is cross-link...just a thought. ------------- Chris B. |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 09 May 2012 at 7:31pm
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Originally posted by Lynn Wang
but please don't gouge me That's what my boat said!
Seriously: a crucial step that will help you yeild superior results is to put your boat in an enclosed space and heat the whole thing up to 75 or 80 degrees before you weld it. In this way you will reduce the difference of temperture between the focused area you are heating up and the surrounding area. The plastic will yeild more readily to your heat gun or other tool and will tend to smoke/ blacken less. Try it. |
Posted By: JayN
Date Posted: 10 May 2012 at 10:16am
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Fiddleyak, where are you located? I'm in dire need of some pyrahna plastic.
-Jay |
Posted By: Jed Hawkes
Date Posted: 10 May 2012 at 11:31am
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I'm pretty sure you can't weld jackson boats.
------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723 |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 10 May 2012 at 11:43am
| Ask our resident Wacko- he should know. He has a Jackson fetish |
Posted By: brig
Date Posted: 10 May 2012 at 3:17pm
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Linear can be welded, Cross-link can not.
I think they offered both in 2010....not sure though. Seriously though, I'd call JK....they'll most likely help you out. ------------- Chris B. |