Conducting Repairs On The Canoe

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No matter how sturdy the manufacturers claim the canoe is, frequent use makes it susceptible to wear and tear. This happens when it is unloaded from the top of the car or when paddling through rocky terrain causing dents and small holes to appear in various places.

The first step when conducting minor repairs is to know the problem. If water seeps in, this means there is a hole somewhere and if proper action isn't taken, the canoe will sink.

The best way to deal with a leak is to use some duct tape and patch it. If there is none, nature may provide the necessary solution for the problem. You can get a small stick and then use pine pitch, which is a sticky gum from the pine tree that can be applied to the hole.

These two are merely temporarily solutions and the best part is, both are durable and waterproof which gives sufficient time for those in the canoe to head back to shore.

When you get back to shore, it is time to look for a permanent solution. The first thing to do will be to dry the canoe. The nice thing about dents is that since the metal or the plastic was pushed inside; it can be fixed by simply pushing it outward.

But for leaks, the owner should cut a piece of fiberglass cloth that is a few times bigger than the damaged area and then mix this with a resin mixture. When it is ready, it should be applied over the affected area using a wooden strip to avoid creating any bubbles.

If the little patch isn't even when it dries, you should then use sandpaper to smooth it out. It is best to see the 100-grit paper and then change this gradually with the 220 and then the 400 as the finishing touch.

Some paint should then be used to cover up the repair especially if the canoe is painted in a different color.

Canoes are hard to maintain. This wont be a problem if it was rented but it is only right to know how to fix it should damaged be sustained during the trip. The customer should then report this to the office so it can be pulled out for awhile and the next group who comes will also be able to use the boat.